What is St. Peter’s Basilica famous for?
Opened in 1626, St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most famous and biggest churches in the world.
The history and story behind St. Peter’s Basilica may explain why the church is famous and well known across the world. For starters, St. Peter’s Basilica is found in Vatican City. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and is located inside of Rome. St Peters is 218 metres in length and 136 metres high (when including the dome), making it the biggest church in the world.
History of St. Peter’s Basilica
The basilica you see today is the new one as the Old Saint Peter’s Basilica construction was finished in 360. It was then officially torn down in 1505 as it had deteriorated over the years. Then under the orders of Pope Julius II, the new St. Peter’s Basilica was planned to be built in place of the old one. The construction for the new basilica began in 1506. Over the 120 years of it being built, it was designed by Michelangelo, Bramante, Bernini, and Carlo Maderno. Because of the outstanding history, in 1980 it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Was St. Peter’s Basilica named after someone?
St. Peter’s Basilica was named after Saint Peter who was one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus. The Twelve Apostles were Jesus’s closest followers and each of them were major leaders of Christianity. It is believed Saint Peter was later killed and buried where St. Peter’s Basilica is today. Now there is in total 91 Popes buried at the site.
How many visitors see St. Peter’s Basilica each year?
As it is one of the most famous churches in the world, crowds gather around every year to see it. About 10 million people visit inside St. Peter’s Basilica every year, which is about 40,000 to 50,000 every day. This isn’t including those who only see the outside of the basilica, so the total would be even higher.
How can I see St. Peter’s Basilica?
You can see the basilica in St. Peter’s Square in Vatican City. Viewing the basilica from the outside is free. Going inside is free too but be aware the wait time can be about two hours long before you step foot inside. The best time to go is as soon as doors are open to avoid the long wait time. Or you can purchase a ticket to get a tour. This gives you priority access to the basilica, allowing you to skip the queue.
What is inside St. Peter’s Basilica?
Inside the basilica has so much to view. From artworks, St. Peter’s Tomb, the Baldacchino and the Dome. The dome was designed by Michelangelo (which you can climb if you pay). Inside you can see statues such as Michelangelo’s Pieta, the Bronze Statue of St. Peter and St. Longinus. The basilica has famous artworks, mosaics and glass windows which are stunning to see.
