St Peter's Basilica

St Peter's Basilica, in the Vatican

St Peter's Basilica is the most important building of Christianity and one of the largest churches of the world. The Rome audio-guided tour stops here, with respect, to evoke this masterpiece of the Renaissance and the baroque, dominated by the dome of Michelangelo, in the heart of the Vatican.

The most important building of Christianity

Where to begin to evoke St Peter's Basilica? You are here facing the most important building of Christianity and one of the vastest churches of the world. It rises at the place where, according to tradition, the apostle Saint Peter, first pope, was buried, on the site of a first early Christian basilica. The current building, rebuilt in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, mobilised the greatest geniuses of the Renaissance and the baroque: Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, who designed the majestic dome, and Bernini, to whom we owe notably the bronze baldachin topping the altar. The interior, of a vertiginous richness and dimensions, shelters priceless treasures of art, including the famous Pietà of Michelangelo. The dome, which you can climb, offers an exceptional view over Rome. A place of pilgrimage and prayer for millions of faithful, the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church, St Peter's Basilica is a summit of art and faith. A major sanctuary of Christianity, St Peter's Basilica is discovered with respect. It is a major stop of the discovery of Rome.

What to see

You admire, with respect, the most important building of Christianity and one of the vastest churches of the world, raised at the place where Saint Peter was buried, rebuilt in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by Bramante, Michelangelo, who designed the dome, and Bernini, sheltering treasures like the Pietà of Michelangelo and the bronze baldachin, with its dome offering a view over Rome. St Peter's Basilica is the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church. It is a major stop to be discovered with respect.

Practical information

St Peter's Basilica lies in the Vatican City, at the end of St Peter's Square, in Rome, reachable on foot. A place of worship and pilgrimage, it can be visited with respect; access, the climb of the dome and the hours follow their own conditions, which vary, and a correct dress is required. The crowd may be very large. It is best to check the arrangements before coming and to respect the sacred character of the place.

Why is St Peter's Basilica so important?

Because it is the most important building of Christianity and the spiritual heart of the Catholic Church, raised at the place where, according to tradition, Saint Peter, first pope, was buried; rebuilt in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini, it shelters treasures like the Pietà of Michelangelo.

Where is St Peter's Basilica?

In the Vatican City, at the end of St Peter's Square, in Rome, in Italy.