The Church of St. Peter

History/FactsBuilt to commemorate the death of Peter, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus,

who was most remembered for his leadership role in the founding of the

Christian Church.

St. Peter's Basilica has the largest interior of any Christian church in the

world.

St. Peter's crucifixion took place near an ancient Egyptian obelisk in the Circus

of Nero. The obelisk now stands in Saint Peter's Square and is representative

of a "witness" to Peter's death.

The Old St. Peter's Church was rebuilt with a dome designed by Michelangelo.

Bramante's Plan

Raphael's Plan

Michelangelo's Design

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Square

Inside St. Peter's

View from the Nave

14' Mosaic

Inside St.Peter's Church

Inside the Dome

Ascending the Dome

Dome at St. Peter's

Dome at St. Peter's

Bernini's Sculptures

Descending the Dome

Swiss Guard

Painted by Michelangelo and crew.

12,000 Sq. Ft.

175 Individual Paintings.

Four years to paint the ceiling and six years to paint “The Last Judgment.”

Sistine Chapel Exterior

Sistine Chapel Interior

The Last Judgement

Genesis

The Creation of Man

Papal Apartments

The Pope's Blessing