The interior of the St. Peter's Basilica belongs to the Holy See and is the most important religious temple in Catholicism and the church where the Pope celebrates the most important liturgies.
The construction of the basilica began in 1506 and was completed in 1626, being consecrated on 18 November of the same year. During construction there were many architects who worked on the building, standing out among them Bramante, Michelangelo and Carlo Maderno.
The basilica owes its name to the first Pope in history, St. Peter, whose body is buried in the basilica.
St. Peter's Basilica has a capacity for 20,000 people. It measures 190 meters in length and the nave is 46 meters high. The dome reaches a height of 136 meters.
Among the works of art that can be found in its interior are the Bernini’s Baldachin, The Pietà of Michelangelo and the statue of St. Peter in his throne stand out. The right foot of the statue has been eroded by the kisses of the faithful.
One of the things that first grabs the attention in the basilica is its incredible dome. It was initiated by Michelangelo, Giacomo Della Porta continued with the work and Carlo Maderno completed the project in 1614.
The dome of the St. Peter's Basilica has served as an inspiration for subsequent projects, such as St. Paul's Cathedral in London and the Capitol Building in Washington.
Without any doubt, entering the basilica is one of the unforgettable experiences of Rome. You cannot miss climbing to the dome, since from there you will be able to admire St. Peter's Square and, if the day is clear, a large part of Rome.
The ascent is not appropriate for all the public, since the last section is via a steep and narrow spiral staircase that can be quite strenuous.
Piazza San Pietro. Vatican City.
November through March: 7am to 6pm.
April through October: 7am to 7pm.
For the dome is needed a ticket.
Metro: Ottaviano, line A (orange).