St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica (Italian San Pietro in Vaticano) is a Catholic major basilica
in Vatican
City, an enclave of Rome. Within the stronghold of the papacy, the immense
building is often described as the largest church ever built
and one of the holiest sites in Christendom. Construction on St. Peter's, was
begun in 1506 and
finished in 1626.
Interior view
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Tradition says it was built at the place where St. Peter,
one of the apostles
of Jesus
Christ and considered the first pope, was crucified or buried. The church, it is said, hosts the
tomb of St. Peter under the main altar, which is covered by a baldachin held by four immense
pillars, all designed by Bernini. The other popes are also buried in
the basilica.
The basilica in itself is an artwork composed of
many artistic elements of value, starting with its elements. Construction
started under Pope Julius II in 1506 and was completed in 1615
under Pope
Paul V. Many famous artists worked on the "Fabrica di San Pietro"
(as the complex of building operations were officially called). Michelangelo,
who served as main architect for a while, designed the dome.
Few are aware that St. Peter's is not, in fact, a cathedral,
i.e. the seat of a bishop.
The pope is also the bishop of Rome, but the diocese is
traditionally based in the cathedral of St.
John Lateran.
Despite a frequent confusion due to the similar
names, the church of St. Peter ad Vincula
(famous for hosting the precious Michelangelo's "Moses") is a
different church, situated on the other side of the Tiber river.
