When In Rome, Visit St. Peter's Basilica - A Vatican City Delight

St. Peter's Basilica, otherwise known as Basilica di San Pietro has always been a tremendously popular attraction of tourists to Rome. Visitors to the site can happily pass a day taking in all there is to see there. Of the many popular locations in Vatican City, St. Peter's ranks high in popularity and number of visits by tourists.

While the lore of the basilica holds that St. Peter's is the literal burial place for Saint Peter himself, there really is no scientific proof to back that claim up. Truthfully, the actual spot on which St. Peter's sits is the same location of the original Circus of Nero in the first century.

The historic Christian Roman leader by the name of Constantine was the one who ordered that a basilica be built on this spot in the fourth century. That construction actually happened 1000 years before the construction of St. Peter's.

But it was in the 16th century that Pope Leo X got the vision for what St. Peter's could be. He also knew how to divert funding to the effort by calling on zealous Christians to fund the crusades against the Turks and then quietly moved those funds to the building of this beautiful structure.

As was true about huge construction projects in ancient times, it took many generations, many Popes and many architects over the decades before the basilica was completed late in the sixteenth century.

St. Peter's is a tall building even by sixteenth century standards. From the floor to the very tip of the cross on that famous dome above, the basilica towers 445 feet in the air. That dome is a revered part of the Roman skyline and it is an amazing architectural design all by itself. None other than Michelangelo himself designed the great dome and that famous Renaissance artist employed a double-shell design technique that was created by San Gallo.

Even though Michelangelo was made the architect in charge of St. Peter's in 1546, the completion of the masterpiece came long after his death. With the passing of the great master, one of his students, Giacomo della Porta went on to complete the work in 1590. The design plans of the brilliant architects of St. Peter's are often utilized in other great buildings including the Capital Building in Washington DC.

That dome was a durable design and it was 200 years later that the first cracks showed up in the surface. To contain these cracks from doing any more damage, four huge chains of iron were attached to the inside of the shell. If you were to climb the winding stairs between the dome shells, you would still see those chains today.

That magnificent dome is not all there is to St. Peter's Basilica. The interior space of the basilica covers six acres and it can accommodate 60,000 worshipers. And there have been several occasions where it was called upon to host that many people. The many Popes who have used St. Peter's to minister to the church have drawn in such crowds.

The outer facade of the basilica is large as well, standing at 148 feet high and 377 feet wide and there are many statues gracing the outside of the building as well.

It is said that over 100 tombs of legendary figures from history are buried inside the halls of St. Peter's Basilica. One notable example is Sweden's Queen Christina, who in 1654 gave up her royal post so she could have the freedom to become a Catholic.

But there is no doubt that the most well known art work in St. Peter's is the awe inspiring "Pieta" by Michelangelo. But sadly it must be displayed behind protective glass because a lunatic tried to destroy it with an axe in 1972.

When touring the grounds outside of St. Peter's in addition to the dome, there are a number of notable and historical art works to look for.

If you look, you can find several very old clocks including one with a bell that goes back all the way to the thirteenth century. You also won't have to look too hard to find the large Egyptian obelisk that adorns the grounds that was brought here from where it originally stood outside of Nero's Circus in the 13th century.

In the square, you will find two fountains both of which were designed by the famed artist Bernini. The southern fountain was created by the master artist in 1675. And to the apse of St. Peter's you will find Bernini's stellar fountain creation, The Triumph of the Chair of Saint Peter.

Most people who make plans to visit Rome are sure to include several hours to leisurely tour this amazing example of the finest of Renaissance architecture.

Article Source: ArticlesMaker.com

About the Author: If you're looking for cheap accomodation in Rome, consider the Vatican area, as it tends to be slightly cheaper. At Rome-Accom.com, we offer short term apartments Rome for rental. 

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