St. Peter’s Basilica

Imagine that you are in Vatican City on a hot sunny day. After getting off the train at the railroad station, you walk past St. Charles’s Palace and St. Martha’s Palace. You are standing in front of Saint Peter’s Basilica, one of the most renowned religious and architectural landmarks in the world. This church stands as a testament to human ingenuity and artistic beauty. Let us take a tour.

First, take a moment to admire the style of the church. You are looking at the façade of the Basilica. The façade was designed by Carlo Maderno, an Italian architect in the early 17^th century. Commissioned by Pope Paul V, Maderno wanted to create a balanced composition that emphasized the verticality and symmetry of the building. The façade has two levels-an upper level with a balcony where the Pope blesses the gathered faithful in St. Peter’s Square during important religious events, and a lower level consisting of massive Doric columns with statues of saints scattered throughout. As you admire its exterior, you will be struck by its massive size and iconic dome. The grand square in front, St. Peter's Square, is surrounded by a colonnade designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, forming the shape of open arms, symbolizing the embrace of the Church.

Now, why don’t you cool off by going into the Basilica? Once you have had a moment to enjoy the change in temperature (and drop in humidity), take in the beauty. As you enter, you will notice the great nave (the place in a church for a congregation) allowing natural light to flood the church. The sheer scale and opulence of the space are awe-inspiring. The nave is flanked by massive marble columns and adorned with ornate golden decorations.

Please look at the center of the church. This is the Baldacchino-a massive bronze canopy that stands over the high altar. Designed by Italian sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini between the years of 1624-1633, the canopy represents the connection between heaven and earth and the tomb of St. Peter. As you continue toward the altar, you will notice the dome of the basilica towering above you. You can choose to take an elevator or climb the 551 steps to the top for a stunning panoramic view of Vatican City and Rome.

We cannot forget about the high altar itself! The altar is made of bronze and is adorned with statues of the Doctors of the Church, sculptures of cherubs and angels giving the altar a divine appearance. Mosaic decorations using Byzantine and Romanesque art styles add vibrancy and color to the altar.

Not only can you go into Saint Peter’s Basilica to tour and admire it, but there are also spiritual activities within the church itself. They have weekday masses in Italian and Latin. If you are lucky or come back during Christmas or Easter, you may hear Mass celebrated by the Pope. I hope you enjoyed your stop at Saint Peter’s Basilica with its rich history, breathtaking artistry, and spiritual significance. I wish you could stay, but there is more to see in Vatican City. After your tour, you can exit the basilica and take a leisurely stroll through St. Peter's Square once again, admiring the obelisk and the surrounding colonnade. I hope you feel a sense of the grandeur and spiritual significance of St. Peter's Basilica. It is a place that combines art, history, and religion in a truly magnificent way.