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| Visit St. Peter’s Basilica on Vatican Tours |
St. Peter’s Basilica (also known as the Papal Basilica of St. Peter) carves an impressive silhouette across the skyline of the Vatican, the papal enclave in the heart of Rome. It is one of the finest Italian Renaissance churches in the world and perches near the banks of the River Tiber near Hadrian’s Mausoleum and the Janiculum Hill.
Its most eye-catching feature, the central dome, dominates the skyline of Rome and it boasts a double-sectioned forecourt flanked by tall colonnades.
Why a Basilica and Not a Church?
St. Peter’s Basilica is a basilica and not a church because, at some point in time, a Pope designated it. This tends to happen if the church has important historical significance or is home to sacred relics – St. Peter’s is actually the resting place of St. Peter’s tomb.
There are more than 1,400 minor basilicas around the world, but St. Peter’s makes up one of the four major basilicas. It shares this title with three other impressive buildings in Rome: St John Lateran, St Paul’s outside the Walls, and St Mary Major.
St Peter’s attained its basilica status because it was built directly on the site where St Peter was buried way back in 64 AD.
St. Peter’s Basilica Today
The design of the basilica was originally put forward by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which makes it one of the most famous pieces of Renaissance architecture in the world – not to mention the largest church in the world.
It was never the most important Catholic church, nor was it the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome, but it is still known as one of the holiest Catholic shrines in Europe and beyond. In fact, it has been dubbed as the “greatest of all churches of Christendom”.
Today, St. Peter’s is still a famous pilgrimage destination and remains popular for its liturgical functions which welcome the Pope a number of times throughout the year. When the Pope is there, the surrounding square can draw crowds of up to 80,000 people.
The fascinating history of St. Peter’s Basilica along with its prominent location in the Vatican make it a historical masterpiece in Rome and beyond. Visit the impressive domed church to discover some of the most famous artworks in the world and learn all about the rich history it has lent to the city and its surroundings. It truly is a must-visit for those visiting Rome.
To check out our range of Vatican Tours, please visit: https://www.vaticancitytours.it/
