Stories and curiosities about St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the wonders of the world in terms of Renaissance architecture and one of the most important spiritual locations in the world, attracting millions of annual visitors. Located within Vatican City, it is not only a pilgrimage location but also a gold mine of history, art, and culture. To understand it […]

Located in the heart of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica is a beam of faith, history, and artistic achievement, drawing many visitors worldwide every year. Recognized as one of the most religious Catholic places and one of the best architectural marvels in history, St. Peter’s Basilica is more than a church; it is a symbol […]

Saint Peter’s Basilica is a marvel of the expression of faith and human craftsmanship in art, and architecture wonder, and a witness to the enduring legacy of Christianity and man’s creativity. Many Many think, how old is Saint Peter’s Basilica? This basilica is old, starting with early Christian structures on this very site, leading to […]

St. Pete’s Basilica is located in the Vatican City and draws more people to Rome; it is a spiritual centre for Catholics worldwide. It is lovely to visit the Grand Basilica, but sometimes the crowds make access difficult and even queuing difficult to cope with.To ensure that you have a stress-free and great experience, we […]

For many, the view from the climb to the top of the St. Peter’s Rome dome is one of the most spectacular things. Visitors can witness an unbeatable view across Vatican City, Rome, and beyond from this unmistakable landmark, one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Every visitor to the Eternal City wants to […]

Did you know that in the Vatican there is a secret Medieval Passageway? The Passetto di Borgo is a secret pedestrian passageway linking the papal residence in the Vatican to Castel Sant’Angelo. It is 800 metres long and was created to facilitate a swift escape to Castel Sant’Angelo in case of danger. Three quarters of […]

Easter is the most important Christian festival, being the one with the highest degree of solemnity. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which happened on the third day after his crucifixion. The date Easter falls upon, unlike that of Christmas for example, varies from year to year.Easter in the Christian religion has similarities with […]

Conclave is the name given to the procedure used to elect the Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church. The same term is used to refer to the place in which the cardinals assemble to cast their votes. The term Conclave comes from the Latin words cum (with) and clavis (keys) and was originally used to […]

The mysteries of the relics of the Passion of Christ in St. Peter’s Basilica Relics are bodies or objects that have come into contact with the divine and are revered for their spiritual power, performing miracles and healing. The cult of relics originates from the dawn of Christianity. During the persecutions, Christians drew strength from […]

Saint John Paul II The 16th of October 2018 was the 40° anniversary of the election of Pope John Paul II. Karol Józef Wojtyla was born to a devoted family on the 18th of March 1920 in Wadowice (near Kraków). His mother died when he was nine years old, and he then later lost his […]

December 2018: It’s Christmas in St. Peter’s Square! The symbols of Christmas are shining in St Peter’s Square, surrounded by Bernini’s columns, to bring cheer to the Romans, the faithful and tourists alike. The tree and the presepe, the nativity scene, were inaugurated on December 7th and will be removed on Sunday, January 13th 2019. […]

Christmas is the festival most felt by the faithful believers of all Christian faiths. It celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and occurs on the 25th of December for most of the Christian churches, including the Catholic one. Instead for the Eastern Orthodox Churches and Slavs it is celebrated in January (on the 6th, 7th or 19th). Today […]

Baroque restyling of an ancient sacral symbol Baldacchino is a term that dates back to the Middle Ages, that indicates a richly decorated structure created to protect people or important objects. The word “Baldacco”, however, referred to Baghdad, production centre of precious fabrics. For centuries in the Christian liturgical repertoire, the altar was protected by […]

Saint Peter’s Basilica is the one of the most famous and beautiful churches in the world.Construction began in 1506 and it took 120 years before the church could be consecrated.To this day, at 187 metres in length and with its 133-metre-tall cupola, Saint Peter’s remains one of the largest churches in the world. The curse […]

If today Basilica of St. Peter is considered the symbol and centre of Christianity, centuries ago that role belonged to another basilica. The Basilica of Constantine, also known as the Old Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, was founded in the 4th century and stood for 1200 years. It too was erected over the tomb […]

A story told through numbers The magnificent Vatican basilica as we see it today, is the result of a gigantic enterprise that lasted for centuries, and is in fact still on-going: this timeline gave birth to the Italian proverb “è come la fabbrica di S. Pietro” – “it’s like the factory of St. Peter’s” – […]

St. Peter is the most important of the 12 apostles, the very first Pope and, according to tradition, the guardian of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Both St. Peter’s Basilica and the square on which it stands are named after him. His original name was Shimon (Simon), and was renamed Kepha, Hebrew for […]

Brother Sun, Sister Moon (Franco Zeffirelli, 1972) This is a dramatization of events in the life of St. Francis of Assisi from before his conversion experience through his audience with the pope, including his friendship with St. Clare. (via IMDB) Karol: A Man Who Became Pope (Giacomo Battiato, 2005) The life of the pope John-Paul […]

Via della Conciliazione connects Castel Sant’Angelo to Piazza San Pietro, where a strip of travertine (joining the Bernini colonnades) defines the confine between two states. It unites the capital of Italy and the City of Seven Hills, with the Vatican City State. Why is it named in this way? For the Concordat between Italy and […]

The history of the colonnades of St. Peter’s Square The façade of Saint Peter’s was completed in 1614 and it was deemed necessary to rework the space in front of it, in order to exalt the jewel of a basilica that had cost a century of hard work. The only fixed point was the obelisk that Fontana […]

The Chair of Saint Peter: Theological Meaning. In ancient Rome ‘la cattedra’ – the chair or throne – was the seat of notables: magistrates, officials or teachers. For Christians it is the chair of high ecclesiastical authorities. The Chair of St. Peter is the throne that according to tradition was donated by Saint Pudens to […]

Francis I, the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church After the papal resignation of Benedict XVI, a conclave was called on 11th February 2013, and on March 13th the first non-European pope was elected; the first Jesuit pope and the first to take his papal name from St. Francis of Assisi. Jorge Mario Bergoglio, first […]

As an eight-year old boy, Gian Lorenzo Bernini drew a perfect sketch of St. Paul under the astonished eyes of Pope Paul V. The Pontiff predicted that the young Gian Lorenzo would become the Baroque Michelangelo. Truer words were never spoken. Bernini was Chief Architect of the Fabbrica of St. Peter’s for over 50 years […]

Today, when we talk about the Swiss Guard we immediately think of members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard; those young soldiers dressed in Renaissance uniform with which tourists love to have their photo taken at St. Peter’s. But, between the the 15th and 19th century the Swiss Guards referred to all the young Swiss mercenaries […]

Obelisks: what is there to know about them? The obelisk is a memorial monument from ancient Egypt: made in stone, it symbolizes a ray of sunshine; in Italian we use the ancient Greek word obelìskos or “needle”. The oldest obelisks date back to 2,000 B.C., they can be of various dimensions and they celebrated divinities, pharaohs and […]

For over a thousand years the popes lived in Rome’s Cathedral, San Giovanni in Laterano – Saint John Lateran, built by emperor Constantine in the fourth century. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476 AD), the barbarian invasions and political instability, a fortified citadel around the Lateran was created, which became dilapidated and […]

Top Artworks in St. Peter’s Basilica Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica is a journey through history, art, and spirituality. As you walk through this majestic structure, you’re surrounded by some of the most breathtaking artworks ever created. But with so much to see, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Where should you start? What are the must-see […]

The Art of Capturing Stunning Photos at St. Peter’s Basilica St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a marvel of Renaissance architecture, a place that draws millions of visitors annually. With its grandiosity and spiritual significance, it’s no surprise that it’s one of the most photographed landmarks in the world. But capturing stunning photos of […]

St. Peter’s Dome stands as an iconic symbol of Renaissance architecture, representing not just the grandeur of religious devotion but also the pinnacle of architectural innovation of its time.

Visiting St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City is a must for any traveler to Rome. Its stunning architecture, rich history, and spiritual significance draw millions of visitors each year.

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