St. Peter's Basilica: Tickets

St Peter’s Basilica FAQs‍

• What is St. Peter's Basilica in Rome?
• St. Peter's Basilica is a Renaissance-era church located in Vatican City, which serves as a major pilgrimage site for Catholics and the burial site of St. Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus and the first Pope.
• Where is St. Peter’s Basilica located?
• St. Peter’s Basilica is in Vatican City, an independent city-state entirely surrounded by Rome in Italy.
• Who designed St. Peter’s Basilica?
• Several famous architects contributed to the design of the basilica, including Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Michelangelo was responsible for designing its iconic dome.
• Why is St. Peter's Basilica important to Catholics?
• It is considered to be one of the holiest Catholic shrines in the world because it is believed to be the burial site of St. Peter, the first pope and leader of the Church. It is also a focal point for the Pope's religious ceremonies.
• When was St. Peter's Basilica built?
• The current basilica was started in 1506 under Pope Julius II and was completed in 1626 under Pope Urban VIII, although earlier churches have stood on the site since the 4th century.
• How big is St. Peter's Basilica in Rome?
• It is one of the largest churches in the world, with an internal area of 15,160 square metres (163,182 square feet) and a capacity of over 60,000 people. The dome rises 136 metres (446 feet) from the floor of the basilica.
• What artwork can be seen in St. Peter's Basilica?
• The basilica is home to numerous masterpieces, including Michelangelo's Pietà, Bernini's Baldachin over the main altar, and many more sculptures, mosaics, and frescoes.
• How tall is the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica?
• The dome is 136 metres (446 feet) tall, making it the tallest dome in the world.

St. Peter’s Basilica Fun Facts

• Largest Church in the World: St. Peter's Basilica is often considered the largest church in terms of interior space, even though there are debates about whether it’s surpassed by other modern churches in specific measurements.
• Michelangelo’s Dome: Michelangelo designed the famous dome of the basilica, but he died before it was completed. His student, Giacomo della Porta, finished it according to Michelangelo's plans.
• Not a Cathedral: Although commonly referred to as a cathedral, St. Peter’s Basilica is not the cathedral of the Diocese of Rome. That title belongs to the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran.
• The Obelisk: The Egyptian obelisk standing in St. Peter’s Square dates back to 30 BC and was brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula in AD 37. It was moved to its current location by Pope Sixtus V in 1586.
• The Statues on the Façade: The basilica’s façade is adorned with statues of Christ, St. John the Baptist, and 11 of the apostles (minus St. Peter, who is represented inside).
• Pope's Balcony: The central balcony of the basilica’s façade is where the Pope delivers his famous blessing Urbi et Orbi ("to the city and the world") on Christmas and Easter.
• The Holy Door: St. Peter’s Basilica has a "Holy Door," which is only opened during a Jubilee year (every 25 years) as a symbol of spiritual renewal. The most recent Jubilee was in 2016.
• Crypt of the Popes: Below the basilica is a crypt where numerous Popes are buried, including St. Peter himself, Pope John Paul II, and others.
• ‍The Vatican Grottoes: Beneath the main floor of the basilica lies the Vatican Grottoes, where you can find chapels and tombs of past popes and monarchs.