St. Peter's Basilica in Rome (Vatican Italy) - Saint Peter's Square

Where is located St. Peter's Basilica in Rome?

Address of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is Saint Peter's Square, Vatican Rome, Italy
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When was built St. Peter's Basilica in Rome?

Built date of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is 1506 - start of construction
November 18, 1626 - sacrifice of the basilica

Facts, informations and history of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

The best and most famous architects worked for 120 years to build the temple.

At its main altar, Mass is celebrated by the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church.

However, St. Peter's Basilica is not a cathedral or the official residence of the Pope. Both of these titles are held by St. John Lateran Basilica. However, because St. Peter's Basilica is located next to the papal residence and because of its size, it is where the most important church ceremonies are held.

The construction of the current basilica, which replaced the old St. Peter's Basilica from the 4th century AD, began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.

According to Bramante's design, the basilica was built on the plan of an isosceles Greek cross with a massive dome over the center and small domes over the four arms.

The basilica extends 190 meters in depth, and its dome spans 42 meters.

Under the basilica is the tomb of the apostle Peter.

There are more than 100 tombs in St. Peter's Basilica. Among them are 91 tombs of former popes and the tombs of Holy Roman Emperor Otto II and Queen Christina of Sweden.

Designed mainly by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it is the most famous work of Renaissance architecture and one of the largest churches in the world.

The basilica was built of travertine stone and is 220 meters long and 150 meters wide. It covers an area of about 23,000 square meters.

Bernini's masterpiece is the 29-meter-high tabernacle above the main altar, the colonnade, composed of 284 Tuscan columns in 4 rows and 88 pillars, and 162 statues of saints on the balustrade.

The facade, designed by Maderno, is 114.69 meters wide and 45.55 meters high.

None of the works of art in St. Peter's Basilica are paintings, but only give the impression of paintings. They are mostly frescoes or mosaics that have been done with so much elaborate detail that they appear to be paintings.

In the middle of the square stands a 25-foot obelisk that originated in Egypt.

Architect of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome

How many meters have St. Peter's Basilica in Rome?

Height of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is 119 meters

Construction/building type

Building St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is of type Basilica

Architectural style

Architectural style of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is Italian renaissance

Other dimensions, parameters and frequently asked questions

What area have St. Peter's Basilica in Rome?

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome have area of 15160 m²

What material is the building made of?

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is made of the following materials: Stone, marble

Cost

Build cost of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is 200 million marks

Other names

The building is also known by other common names or in the original language, i.e. San Pietro in Vaticano, St. Peter's of Rome, New St. Peters

Is the building on the UNESCO World Heritage List?

Official website

The official website of the building, where up-to-date information can be found, is http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/san_paolo/en/basilica/storia.htm