Saint Peter's Basilica, Major basilica in Vatican City
The basilica spans 220 meters in length and rises to 136 meters, containing numerous marble sculptures, frescoes, and architectural elements from Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Construction began in 1506 under Pope Julius II, replacing a fourth-century church, and involved multiple architects including Michelangelo, Bramante, and Bernini until completion in 1626.
The basilica holds regular masses, papal ceremonies, and religious celebrations throughout the year, serving as the central church of Roman Catholic faith worldwide.
Visitors can access the basilica daily from 7:00 to 19:00 during summer months and until 18:30 in winter, with free entry but strict dress code requirements.
The structure stands directly above the burial site of Saint Peter, featuring Michelangelo's Pietà sculpture and Bernini's bronze baldachin over the papal altar.
Location: Vatican City
Inception: April 18, 1506
Founders: Julius II
Architects: Michelangelo, Giuliano da Sangallo, Donato Bramante, Raphael, Giovanni Giocondo, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger, Baldassare Peruzzi, Bernardo Rossellino, Giacomo della Porta, Giacomo Barozzi da Vignola, Pirro Ligorio, Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Architectural style: Renaissance architecture, baroque architecture
Height: 136.6 m
Length: 220 m
Width: 150 m
Made from material: cement, marble
Part of: Seven Pilgrim Churches of Rome
Website: https://vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_pietro/index_it.htm
GPS coordinates: 41.90222,12.45342
Latest update: August 10, 2025 19:48
Photo license: CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo license: CC BY-SA 4.0
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Sistine Chapel
117 m
The Creation of Adam
88 m
Sistine Chapel ceiling
88 m
Pietà
97 m
The Last Judgment
91 m
Saint Peter's tomb
10 m
St. Peter's Dome
26 m
St. Peter's Baldachin
10 m
Vatican Necropolis
14 m
Chair of Saint Peter
10 m
Mater Ecclesiae Monastery
258 m
Restoration of the Sistine Chapel frescoes
126 m
Vatican Grotto
7 m
Campo Santo Teutonico
126 m
Cappella Paolina
117 m
Tomb of the Julii
7 m
Sala Regia
125 m
Tomb of Pope Alexander VII
10 m
Vatican Christmas Tree
133 m
The Vision of Constantine
138 m
St Stephen of the Abyssinians
111 m
Organo della basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano
10 m
Sacristy of Saint Peter's Basilica
105 m
Vatican Necropolis
76 m
Fontana del Sacramento
135 m
Tomb of Leo XI
7 m
Tomb of Pius VII
57 m
Equestrian statue of Charlemagne
136 mReviews
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Incredibly beautiful! Free entry, but you need to be early if you don't want to be in line...
Beautiful building. Very busy at this location.
Incredibly beautiful! Free entry, but you need to be early if you don't want to be in line...
Beautiful building. Very busy at this location.
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