St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican

The Basilica of St. Peter’s in the Vatican is one of the most iconic and representative monuments of the Catholic Church and the city of Rome. Located in the heart of the Vatican City, the basilica is the largest church in the world and a masterpiece of Renaissance and Baroque architecture. Its construction began in 1506 under Pope Julius II and was completed in 1626 under Pope Urban VIII, involving some of the greatest artists and architects of the time, including Bramante, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini. The monumental facade of the basilica, designed by Carlo Maderno, is 45 meters high and 115 meters wide, with a colonnaded portico that introduces visitors to a space of great majesty and solemnity. At the center of the facade is the balcony of blessings, from which the pope imparts the “Urbi et Orbi” blessing on feast days. The interior of the basilica is a veritable museum of art and history, with countless works of art and monuments adorning its chapels and aisles. One of the most famous elements is Michelangelo’s Pietà, a marble sculpture depicting the Virgin Mary holding the body of Christ taken down from the cross. This masterpiece, created when Michelangelo was just 24 years old, is considered one of the greatest examples of Renaissance sculpture. The baldachin of St. Peter’s, a work by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, rises majestically above the high altar and the tomb of St. Peter. Made of gilded bronze, the baldachin is supported by four twisted columns and decorated with angels and papal symbols, representing one of the masterpieces of Roman Baroque. The dome of the basilica, designed by Michelangelo, is one of the most recognizable symbols of Rome. Standing at 136 meters high, the dome offers a spectacular panoramic view of the city and the Vatican Gardens. The climb to the dome is an unforgettable experience, allowing a close-up view of the engineering and artistry of one of the greatest geniuses of the Renaissance. An interesting anecdote concerns the colonnade of St. Peter’s Square, designed by Bernini. The 284 columns and 88 pillars that make up the colonnade create a unique optical effect: when standing in the center of the square, the four rows of columns appear to align perfectly, giving the impression of a single colonnade. This effect, known as anamorphosis, is an extraordinary example of Bernini’s architectural mastery.