St. Peter's Basilica

Designed by Michelangelo, The Dome iis one of the most popular reasons to visit St. Peter’s Basilica because of the various massive domes. The enormous dome, lavishly decorated with mosaic and stucco embellishments, towers over the altar and the baldacchino. It has a radius of 71 meters and a height from the floor to the lantern's roof of 120 meters, and it is held by four structural piers. The four Evangelists are shown in medallions with a diameter of 8.5 meters in the four spandrels that connect the square piers and the circular drum: Matthew with the ox, Mark with the lion, Luke with the angel, and John with the eagle.

Also Read: Gallery Of The Candelabra

When visiting St Peter Rome, be sure to stop by the Pieta, one of the world's most recognisable sculptures. It was made when Michelangelo was 24 years old, and it is the only sculpture he ever signed. This magnificent masterpiece gives us a profoundly spiritual and Christian perspective of human suffering.

Many artists, both before and after Michelangelo, showed the Virgin holding the dead Christ as being very sad and almost hopeless. Michelangelo, however, created an utterly fantastic effect. Mary's face, as she carries Jesus' dying corpse on her lap, is a picture of kindness, tranquillity, and wonderful acceptance.

Must Checkout: Gallery of Tapestries

If you go to St. Peter's Basilica, you will always end up here, next to the Confessio, which is where the high altar, or royal altar, is. The large block of Greek marble came from Nerva's Forum and was cut for the structure, which was dedicated by Pope Clement VIII on June 26, 1594.

It rests on an even older altar, the one that Callistus II of Constantinople erected in 1123. Bernini's first work for the basilica, the monumental bronze "Baldacchino," crowns the altar. The four marble pillars of the monument are carved with a sequence depicting "motherhood" in a style typical of the 17th century.

Also Read: How to Get to Vatican Museums

St. Peter's Basilica is filled with amazing statues, each has a wonderful story to tell. Among them is the magnificent statue of St. Longinus, the centurion from ancient Rome who is renowned for piercing Christ's side with a lance. According to legend, he witnessed the death of Christ and underwent a dramatic shift that ultimately led him to accept Christianity. 

Four marble slabs were expertly sculpted by famed sculptor Bernini into the statue of St. Longinus in 1643. This massive sculpture, which is about ten metres tall, is placed in a spacious alcove below the relics' loggias. 

Also Checkout: Highlights of The Vatican Museums

The renowned statue of St. Peter holds significant historical and religious importance worldwide. While some scholars attribute it to Arnolfo di Cambio (1245–1302), others date its casting to the 15th century. This iconic sculpture, located in St. Peter's Basilica, depicts St. Peter preaching and imparting blessings while holding the symbolic keys to the kingdom of heaven.

A popular tradition among visitors is to touch and kiss the foot of the St. Peter's statue, resulting in its worn appearance. On St. Peter's Day, June 29, the statue is adorned with elaborate attire, including an amice, alb, tiara, stole, crimson cope, and a ring, creating an almost lifelike presence.

Must Checkout: Plan Your Visit to Vatican Museums

The Confession, or Confessio as it is known in Latin, is a shrine located under the main altar in St. Peter's Basilica. With Saint Peter's Basilica tickets, you can reach this section by ascending a double staircase with a semicircular balustrade that wraps around the floor directly in front of the altar.

It gets its name from the faith confession that led to St. Peter's martyrdom, and it's located not far from St. Peter's grave. From 1615 to 1617, Carlo Maderno conceived and constructed The Confession. To hold Mass near the grave of St. Peter, Maderno constructed a balustrade around it with steps leading down.

Suggested Read: History of Vatican City

According to the Vatican, the holy site of Saint Peter's grave is located beneath the splendour of St. Peter's Basilica, and it is surrounded by other tombs and a monument. The historical value of the area is enhanced by these ancient mausoleums, which were constructed between the years AD 130 and AD 300.

The tomb complex experienced major alterations in the early 4th century, under the reign of Constantine I, approximately in the year 330 AD. To make room for the old St Peter Rome Basilica, it was mostly disassembled and buried beneath several feet of soil.

Also Checkout: Entrances of Vatican Museums

The Vatican Grottoes are a system of subterranean graveyards beneath the Church that are visible to visitors with Saint Peter's Basilica tickets. Numerous popes, saints, and church officials have been buried in these grottoes, which resemble artificial or natural caves used for funerals, since at least the 10th century. Here, among the tombs of cardinals and other dignitaries, lie a record 91 popes. 

The ultimate resting places of nonreligious rulers, such as Queen Christina of Sweden, the Stuarts, and Queen Charlotte of Cyprus, are surprisingly located within the grottoes. Under the massive St. Peter's Basilica sits the necropolis, which is home to the sacred tomb of St. Peter. 

The Chair of St. Peter represents the power of the Pope and the Apostolic Succession. The chair, which is encased in a magnificent gilded altar, is a sanctified relic that has been ascribed to Saint Peter. It's a symbol of the Church's spiritual leadership through the ages and a reminder of the papal lineage that has never been broken.

The Nave of St. Peter's Basilica is a breathtakingly beautiful and reverent area of the church. It is framed by massive columns and decorated with exquisite artwork, and it serves as a path to the high altar and the recognisable dome above. With Saint Peter's Basilica tickets, you can see this sacred space at the centre of Catholicism, inspiring awe and prompting quiet reflection.

Located at the very tip of the elliptical St. Peter's Square, which itself is bordered by a Doric colonnade, is the iconic basilica of St. Peter. There are thirteen statues of Christ, John the Baptist, and eleven of the Apostles atop the vast order of Corinthian columns that make up the facade created by Carlo Maderno. Two Saints Peter and Paul statues, each standing 18 feet tall, guard the stairs leading up to it. There are four enormous piers and pendentives supporting the dome that Michelangelo's student Giacomo della Porta built.

Must Know: Paintings in Vatican Museums

Taking inspiration from the Latin cross, the basilica's interior features a long nave. Encircling the nave are broad aisles that lead to multiple chapels. There are multiple chapels and altars, such as the Gregorian Chapel, the Pieta Chapel, the Presentation Chapel, and others. The Chapel of the Confession, which sits directly beneath the high altar, is another notable feature. A collection of priceless stone and bronze sculptures by the greatest Renaissance sculptors grace the interior of Saint Peter's. These sculptures include Bernini's traditional Chair of St. Peter (Cathedra Petri), and sculptures that are Baroque, Neoclassical, and ceremonial in style, such as Michelangelo's Pieta.

You May Also Like: Collections in Vatican Museums