{"id":13590,"date":"2018-08-31T05:44:00","date_gmt":"2018-08-31T05:44:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/?p=13590"},"modified":"2026-03-03T05:55:26","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T05:55:26","slug":"st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"13590\" class=\"elementor elementor-13590\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-02976a8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"02976a8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0ae86c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0ae86c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>St. Peter\u2019s Basilica is one of the holiest sites in Christendom! Infused with opulent architecture and history, this magnificent monument is a late renaissance church of the Vatican City. Known to be the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, St. Peter\u2019s Basilica is a must visit for all history enthusiasts.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e998df elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6e998df\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1438\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St_Peters_Square_Vatican_City_-_April_2007-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13593\" alt=\"church of the Vatican City\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St_Peters_Square_Vatican_City_-_April_2007-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St_Peters_Square_Vatican_City_-_April_2007-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St_Peters_Square_Vatican_City_-_April_2007-1024x575.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St_Peters_Square_Vatican_City_-_April_2007-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St_Peters_Square_Vatican_City_-_April_2007-1536x863.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St_Peters_Square_Vatican_City_-_April_2007-2048x1150.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-471e3c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"471e3c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">History Retold<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e38c603 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e38c603\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In 64 AD, during the reign of the Roman Emperor Nero, St. Peter, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus was crucified and buried at the Circus of Nero. To pay reverences to the great man\u2019s tomb, in 324 AD Emperor Constantine started constructing a magnificent Basilica over the tomb. Five years later, the Basilica was consecrated and transformed into a longitudinal building with a nave, four aisles and a transept.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aba771e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"aba771e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St-peter-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13594\" alt=\"St. Peter\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St-peter-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St-peter-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St-peter-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St-peter-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St-peter-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/St-peter-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f14a925 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f14a925\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Pilgrims travelled on foot from all over Europe in the early 14th century to pay respect to the tomb of the \u2018Prince of the Apostles\u2019 as he was popularly called. In the mid-15th century, the old Basilica was rebuilt. Pope Nicholas V asked architect Bernardo Rossellino to make additions to the old church. However, the idea was abandoned for some time, and it was only in the late 15th century that Pope Sixtus IV built the Sistine Chapel near it.<\/p><p>What we see today was started by Pope Julius II in 1506. He entrusted Donato Bramante, a great architect of his time, with the task of making the monument. However, the work was abandoned for a while as Julius II, and Bramante both died. Many new proposals were drawn up for St Peter\u2019s Basilica in the next 40 years. Finally, in 1547, Pope Paul III asked the Michaelangelo to make a new design which was put together and ready in 1626.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70f052b elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"70f052b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">What to See<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c9b6240 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c9b6240\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>St. Peter\u2019s Basilica is a great place for those seeking mental peace and unending solace. Its grand interiors and exteriors make it an interesting tourist sight. Some of the parts worth seeing are:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b926cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8b926cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Grand Building<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-69a615f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"69a615f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1600\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Petersdom_von_Engelsburg_gesehen.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13595\" alt=\"The Grand Building\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Petersdom_von_Engelsburg_gesehen.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Petersdom_von_Engelsburg_gesehen-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Petersdom_von_Engelsburg_gesehen-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Petersdom_von_Engelsburg_gesehen-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Petersdom_von_Engelsburg_gesehen-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f73794 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5f73794\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Grand, impressive and magnificent describe this historical monument to the hilt. Termed as the largest church in the world, it has a 218-meter long nave. Its dome is the world\u2019s largest; 42 meters in diameter and 138 meters in height with the largest interior that any Christian church in the world would have, housing 60,000 people. Many famous artists have adorned the 45 altars of this church. Some of the best works are the Piet\u00e0 by Michelangelo, the papal altar and the Throne of St. Peter by Bernini and the Monument to the Stuarts by Canova.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b94c3fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b94c3fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">St. Peter\u2019s Square<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a4d37f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a4d37f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A fitting approach to this great monument is the massive, elliptical St. Peter\u2019s Square. Bernini designed it, and it was built between 1656 and 1667. Adorned by two beautiful fountains, the centre of the square has a 25.5-meter-tall obelisk from the 13th-century BC Egypt. A monumental colonnade outlines the square. Its open arms symbolise a grand welcome for the ones getting inside the Catholic Church.<\/p><p>The colonnade features 140 statues of saints made between 1662 and 1703. Near the stairs to the Basilica in the front of the square, stand colossal statues of St. Peter and St. Paul.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2236c8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2236c8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">The Dome<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2df5b8c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2df5b8c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The dome of the cathedral is one of Michelangelo\u2019s best artwork. This glorious double dome is 42.3 metres in diameter and 120 metres above the floor. Sometime in the early 18th century, the dome got a few cracks, so four iron chains were installed to bind it. This dome is a parabola with a vertical thrust. Its bold ribbing in the paired Corinthian columns which seem to be a part of the drum, are in reality away from it to absorb the dome\u2019s weight. If you climb up to the top of the dome, a spectacular view of Rome awaits you.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-797adbd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"797adbd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Grandiose Interiors<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa57918 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"aa57918\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1920\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Interior_of_St._Peters_Basilica_3-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13596\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Interior_of_St._Peters_Basilica_3-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Interior_of_St._Peters_Basilica_3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Interior_of_St._Peters_Basilica_3-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Interior_of_St._Peters_Basilica_3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Interior_of_St._Peters_Basilica_3-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Interior_of_St._Peters_Basilica_3-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ac7717a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ac7717a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Calling the interiors of St. Peter\u2019s mere impressive is an understatement as it is the largest church in the world. Every bit of the church showcases the finest Renaissance monuments and decorations possible given the talents of great artists like Michelangelo and Bernini. The interior of this cathedral is resplendent with rare marble and mosaics of all colours.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e14da7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"e14da7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Crypt<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a842553 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"a842553\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"533\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PiusXItomb.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13597\" alt=\"Crypt\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PiusXItomb.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PiusXItomb-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/PiusXItomb-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4b363ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4b363ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The crypt beneath the church is definitely worth a visit. It has architectural fragments from other churches on site along with tombs of many popes. However, the main focus lies on the tomb of the first pope: St. Peter. A glass wall at the end of the crypt gives a view of the reliquary below the altar, which might have the actual bones of St. Peter.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22faa60 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"22faa60\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Nave<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8fb5e43 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8fb5e43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1706\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Nave_of_St._Peters_Basilica_01-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13598\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Nave_of_St._Peters_Basilica_01-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Nave_of_St._Peters_Basilica_01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Nave_of_St._Peters_Basilica_01-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Nave_of_St._Peters_Basilica_01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Nave_of_St._Peters_Basilica_01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Nave_of_St._Peters_Basilica_01-2048x1365.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48eca63 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"48eca63\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Inside the central doors, a large round porphyry slab is placed inside the floor. Charlemagne and the Holy Roman Emperors knelt down here for their coronation. The floor of the nave has markers with the comparative lengths of other churches. The pilasters have niches with 39 statues of various saints. The Northwestern corner of the nave houses the bronze statue of St. Peter Enthroned.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b7e46f5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b7e46f5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Right Aisle and Right Transept<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a54b2c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a54b2c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The right aisle has Michelangelo\u2019s beautiful Piet\u00e0, depicting the Virgin Mary cradling the dead Jesus in her lap after his crucifixion. If you walk up the aisle, you will see the monument of Queen Christina of Sweden, who had abdicated to convert to Catholicism. You can also look at the monuments of Pope Pius XI, Pope Pius XII and the altar of St Sebastian.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17dc999 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"17dc999\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bernini\u2019s Baldacchino<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8929a7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8929a7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1692\" src=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Basilica_di_San_Pietro_Rome_-_2677-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-13599\" alt=\"Bernini\u2019s Baldacchino\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Basilica_di_San_Pietro_Rome_-_2677-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Basilica_di_San_Pietro_Rome_-_2677-300x198.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Basilica_di_San_Pietro_Rome_-_2677-1024x677.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Basilica_di_San_Pietro_Rome_-_2677-768x507.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Basilica_di_San_Pietro_Rome_-_2677-1536x1015.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Basilica_di_San_Pietro_Rome_-_2677-2048x1353.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-893c293 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"893c293\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Baldacchino, a monumental canopy shelters the papal altar and the holy relics of St. Peter. Lorenzo Bernini made this awe-inspiring structure with 927 tons of dark bronze, accessorised with gold vine leaves. The Baldacchino has the symbols of the Barberini family with a golden sun and bees. It is meant to represent the union of the Old Testament Wisdom of Solomon, the Christian practice of Constantine, and the rebirth of a triumphal church with the help of the Barberini family.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c061112 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"c061112\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Left Transept and Left Aisle<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a00c06d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a00c06d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Chapel of the Column stands at the end of the left aisle, west of the transept. It has the altar of \u2018Our Lady of the Column\u2019 on the southern side. It has an ancient image of the Virgin Mary painted on a marble column in the central nave of the original Basilica. It was placed on this altar in 1607.<\/p><p>Altar of Pope St. Leo the Great is also placed in the same chapel on the left of the altar. The left transept holds the altars of St. Peter\u2019s Crucifixion, St. Joseph and St. Thomas. Clementine Chapel and the Presentation Chapel are also a part of it.<\/p><p>An architectural paradise, St. Peter\u2019s Basilica is a testament to over 2000 years of Christianity. It has the magical ability to spellbound visitors with its holy embrace. So take a dip into this sacred ocean of spirituality and relish the architectural and historical extravaganza with SOTC\u2019s Vatican City tour packages.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>St. Peter\u2019s Basilica is one of the holiest sites in Christendom! Infused with opulent architecture and history, this magnificent monument is a late renaissance church of the Vatican City. Known to be the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus, St. Peter\u2019s Basilica is a must visit for all history [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13591,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[43,45],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13590","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destination-travel-guide","category-travel-guides"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity - SOTC Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Top 15 Most Romantic Honeymoon Places in India You Must Visit | SOTC\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity - SOTC Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Top 15 Most Romantic Honeymoon Places in India You Must Visit | SOTC\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SOTC Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-08-31T05:44:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-03T05:55:26+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"768\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/webp\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"SOTC Admin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"SOTC Admin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"SOTC Admin\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/93a6ebec73b7906191e79d94c6ddb91b\"},\"headline\":\"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-08-31T05:44:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-03T05:55:26+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1138,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp\",\"articleSection\":[\"Destination Travel Guide\",\"Travel Guides\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/\",\"name\":\"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity - SOTC Blog\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-08-31T05:44:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-03-03T05:55:26+00:00\",\"description\":\"Top 15 Most Romantic Honeymoon Places in India You Must Visit | SOTC\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/03\\\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp\",\"width\":768,\"height\":1024,\"caption\":\"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/travel-guide\\\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/\",\"name\":\"SOTC Blog\",\"description\":\"Explore Destinations, Travel Guides, Stories, Tips\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"SOTC Blog\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/sotc-logo.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2026\\\/01\\\/sotc-logo.png\",\"width\":142,\"height\":50,\"caption\":\"SOTC Blog\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/93a6ebec73b7906191e79d94c6ddb91b\",\"name\":\"SOTC Admin\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/litespeed\\\/avatar\\\/0a3be5441192565afc0f1a641f01fc4f.jpg?ver=1777985269\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/litespeed\\\/avatar\\\/0a3be5441192565afc0f1a641f01fc4f.jpg?ver=1777985269\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/wp-content\\\/litespeed\\\/avatar\\\/0a3be5441192565afc0f1a641f01fc4f.jpg?ver=1777985269\",\"caption\":\"SOTC Admin\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.sotc.in\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.sotc.in\\\/blog\\\/author\\\/pranil-sotcgmail-com\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity - SOTC Blog","description":"Top 15 Most Romantic Honeymoon Places in India You Must Visit | SOTC","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity - SOTC Blog","og_description":"Top 15 Most Romantic Honeymoon Places in India You Must Visit | SOTC","og_url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/","og_site_name":"SOTC Blog","article_published_time":"2018-08-31T05:44:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-03-03T05:55:26+00:00","og_image":[{"width":768,"height":1024,"url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp","type":"image\/webp"}],"author":"SOTC Admin","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"SOTC Admin","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/"},"author":{"name":"SOTC Admin","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/93a6ebec73b7906191e79d94c6ddb91b"},"headline":"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity","datePublished":"2018-08-31T05:44:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-03T05:55:26+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/"},"wordCount":1138,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp","articleSection":["Destination Travel Guide","Travel Guides"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/","url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/","name":"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity - SOTC Blog","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp","datePublished":"2018-08-31T05:44:00+00:00","dateModified":"2026-03-03T05:55:26+00:00","description":"Top 15 Most Romantic Honeymoon Places in India You Must Visit | SOTC","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/St._Peter_statue_outside_St._Peters_Basilica-768x1024-1.webp","width":768,"height":1024,"caption":"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/travel-guide\/st-peters-basilica-abode-christianity\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"St. Peter\u2019s Basilica: The Abode of Christianity"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/","name":"SOTC Blog","description":"Explore Destinations, Travel Guides, Stories, Tips","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#organization","name":"SOTC Blog","url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/sotc-logo.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/sotc-logo.png","width":142,"height":50,"caption":"SOTC Blog"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/93a6ebec73b7906191e79d94c6ddb91b","name":"SOTC Admin","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/0a3be5441192565afc0f1a641f01fc4f.jpg?ver=1777985269","url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/0a3be5441192565afc0f1a641f01fc4f.jpg?ver=1777985269","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-content\/litespeed\/avatar\/0a3be5441192565afc0f1a641f01fc4f.jpg?ver=1777985269","caption":"SOTC Admin"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/blog.sotc.in"],"url":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/author\/pranil-sotcgmail-com\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13590","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13590"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13590\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13602,"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13590\/revisions\/13602"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13591"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13590"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13590"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.sotc.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13590"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}