St Peters Basilica

St. Peters basilica is the largest church in the world as it covers 23,000 m2 and has been rebuilt many times in the past 1000 years. It is built in the Vatican City and begun around 1506 and was completed in 1626. Tradition says that the church is built over the spot where the first pope was crucified. The tomb is under the main altar of the church; there are also many other popes that are buried in and under the basilica. Directly to the East of the church is the elliptical St. Peters Square, which was built between 1656 and 1657. In the middle of the elliptical is a 25.5m tall obelisk. The double dome is made of brick and is 42.3 meters in interior diameter.

St Peters Cupola

The dome rises 120 meters above the floor making it almost the same size as the Pantheon. Due to cracks in the dome that have come over time they have put 4 chains strategically in the dome to give it support for the future. The dome (as pictured to the left) or a cupola as it can be called was designed by Michelangelo who became the chief architect in 1546. Michelangelo’s dome is not a hemisphere but rather a parabola; it has emphatic thrust that is more visible due to bold ribbing that springs form the Corinthian columns. At first glance they might appear to be part of the drum but stand away from it like buttresses to absorb all of the domes weight. The Grande arched openings that are only visible in the illustration are usually not visible to an onlooker from the interior or viewers from below. These opening enable access for employees only to gain access all around the base of the drum.

Interior

The interior of the Basilica is just as astounding as its outwards appearance it has many beautiful and stunning factors that make it one of the most unique and beautiful church of its time and today’s society. There are many noteworthy monuments inside the basilica that can be seen placed throughout the whole church. there are many well known pieces of art inside the church some of which include the Chapel of the blessed sacrament and the chapel of the immaculate virgin Mary.