- St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City in Rome is the largest Christian Church in the world, with a dome built by Michelangelo, and is a site of Pilgrimage and Liturgical functions.
- It is regarded as the holiest of all shrines in the Catholic Church because of its location above the original Tomb of St. Peter.
Getting There
- Location: Piazza San Pietro, Rome.
- Nearest Metro Station: Ottaviano, Line A, then Bus 982.
History
- The Old St. Peter’s Basilica (on the same site) was completed by Constantine I in 333 CE.
- It was built on the Circus of Nero over the Tomb of St. Peter. The Tomb, however, was destroyed in a Raid in 846 CE.
- The new St. Peter’s Basilica was started by Pope Julius II in 1505 CE, who demolished the Old St. Peter’s Basilica and using material from the Colosseum, began a new construction on the same site.
- Michelangelo was responsible for the Dome and it was completed by successive Popes in 1655 CE.
- The Vaticano Obelisk was moved to St. Peter’s Square in 1586 CE and placed in front of the Basilica.
- The adjacent Apostolic Palace holds the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Library, and the Papal Apartments, where the Popes reside.
Vatican City
- The Vatican City State, also known as the Vatican, is an independent city state within the city of Rome.
- It became independent in 1929 with the Lateran Treaty, has its own diplomatic envoys and is the smallest State in the world.
- Its buildings include St. Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Library, Vatican Museums and the Vaticano Obelisk in St. Peter’s Square.
Photo and Map: St. Peter’s Basilica (built on the site of the Old St. Peter’s Basilica)