St. Peter's Church is one of the most famous and important Catholic churches in the world, as well as the main and largest building of the Vatican, the religious center of this state and the ceremonial center of the Roman Catholic Church. Every year, millions of Christians attend masses held by the Pope. The temple was built in the name of the Apostle Peter, the first bishop of Rome. All popes are his successors. Until the 1990s, St. Peter's was the largest Christian church (the Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Paz in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast, was completed in 1989).
The church is built on the site where St. Peter was tortured to death in 67 AD. The first basilica was built here in 324, but when it was in danger of collapsing 11 centuries later, Pope Julius II ordered the construction of a new cathedral that would dwarf all existing Christian churches. Construction began in 1506 and ended in 1626.
The height of the Church of St. Peter is 136.6 meters, the width is 211.5 meters, the total area is 22,067 square meters. Legendary masters participated in its construction: Donato Bramante, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giacomo della Porta, Raphael Santi, Giovanni Bernini, Domenico Fontana, Carlo Maderno and others. It should be noted that over the 120 years of construction, 20 Popes changed, and the temple was blessed by Pope Urban VII.
On the facade of the temple there are statues of Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and eleven apostles (except Peter) 5.65 meters high, and in front of the building there are statues of St. Peter and St. Paul. Saint Peter holds the key to the Kingdom of Heaven in his hand.
In the upper left corner is the usual clock by the architect Giuseppe Valadier, and in the right corner is a sundial.
The Latin inscription on the frieze tells us: "In honor of the prince of the apostles Paul V Borghese Pontiff Massimo Romano, 1612, the seventh year of his pontificate."
The interior of the church is decorated with 800 columns and 390 statues made of tuff, marble, plaster and bronze. Visitors enter the basilica through a massive bronze door. There is also a "Holy Door" that is opened only when the Pope declares a holiday or a holy year.
At the top of the papal altar, a double dome with a diameter of 42.2 meters rests on powerful columns, and in the niches between them are statues of St. Helena, St. Veronica, St. Longinus and St. Andrew. On the edge of the dome, an inscription from the Gospel of Matthew is carved in Latin: "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven." Under the lantern is written: "In honor of Saint Peter, Pope Sixtus V, 1590, fifth year of the pontificate." The weight of the dome is 14,000 tons!
Inside the vestibule, at the top of the gallery, a staircase leads to a lantern between the two tiers of the dome, from where a magnificent view of St. Peter's Square, the Vatican and Rome opens up.
Above the main, papal altar, on four gilded spiral columns, is a large bronze canopy created by Bernini. A double staircase in front of the altar leads down to the Confessio, the place where the body of the Apostle Peter is believed to be.
The so-called "Upper Grottoes" are located 3 meters below St. Peter's Basilica. Here are kept the holy relics of the Apostle Peter, the remains of the Popes and members of the royal family.
Another masterpiece by Bernini is the Chair of St. Peter in the apse. Four priests hold the bishop's chair of Peter, above which are visible the key, tiara (symbols of papal authority) and the symbol of the Holy Spirit.
The first chapel of the right nave contains a magnificent creation by Michelangelo - the sculptural group "Pieta". It was commissioned by the French cardinal Jean Biller de Lagrol for his own tomb. Young Mary lays Jesus on her lap.
Here is a general view of the interior of the church:
The address of St. Peter's Basilica: Piazza San Pietro, Vatican.
St. Peter's Basilica is open every day:
- October 1 to March 31 - 07:30-17:00;
- April 1 to September 30 - 07:30-18:00;
- Wednesday - 13:00-19:00.
Please note that shorts, mini-underwear and bare shoulders are not allowed in the temple. This restriction applies to both men and women.
You will have to register. It is prohibited to bring large bags, as well as pointed and sharp objects.
Ticket price:
- entrance to St. Peter's Basilica is free;
- climbing to the dome on foot (551 steps) - 8 euros;
- first by elevator, then climbing on foot (320 steps) - 10 euros;
- for children under 12 - free;
- visit to the tomb of St. Peter and the necropolis - 13 euros;
- tour of St. Peter's Basilica with an experienced guide - 15 euros.
How getting there:
- by metro - line A - stop Ottaviano;
- by bus №11, 23, 32, 81, 590, 982 - stop Risorgimento; №64, 40 - express routes from Termini station (Termini) to the cathedral; №116 - stop Terminal Gianicolo;
- by tram №19 - stop San Pietro.
For detailed and up-to-date information, visit the official website of St. Peter's Basilica: https://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/index_it.htm.
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