Basilica di San Pietro in Vatican

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the four Basilicas that Rome has. It is officially known as Basilica di San Pietro in Vatican and it is located in the Vatican City of Italy. This is not a cathedral where the Bishops used to sit. This Basilica is where St. Peters was buried and is a burial site for many popes who came after St. Peters. St. Peter was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and later became the Bishop of Rome. The church in the Basilica has been present in this site since the 4th Century. This site, because of its uniqueness, artistic beauty and historical association, attracts many visitors and pilgrims.

Its history takes us back to the 1st century AD when Jesus was crucified. One of his twelve disciples was Simon, known as Peter, who took a good position amongst Jesus’ followers. St. Peters played great importance in founding and establishing the Catholic Church. Peter was in the ministry for thirty years, after which he took a tour of the Rome. He was executed in 64 A.D. He was crucified head downward as per his request in the Circus, now known as the St. Peters Square.

It is considered to be one of the holiest & the largest of all the Catholic Churches of the Christendom. The main building is very impressive and stood 138 meters. Its passage is about 218 meter long. The interior consists of the Pieta by Michelangelo, Papal Altar by Bernini and the Monument to the Stuarts by Canova.