One of my favorite places, in one of my favorite cities. Saint Peter's Basilica is the "largest" church in the world and an absolute must-see for Christian travelers, even for non-Catholics. Start with the tour of the dome (about 300 feet above the ground), which gives a panoramic view over Saint Peter's Square (left), the Vatican Museums, Vatican City, and much of the rest of Rome. The statues of Jesus and the apostles on the front facade of the building look small from here (in the cupola), but are actually about 20 feet tall. Be sure to visit the Vatican gift shop on the roof of the building!
Inside the dome one gets up close to a primary theological message of this site. Just below the narrow walkway for visitors (notice the security guards on the opposite side), the seven-foot-tall letters quote Jesus' words to Peter in Matthew 16 (in Latin, of course): "You are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church..." While this is certainly impressive, a Protestant visitor might wonder why the central emphasis is on Jesus' words to Peter rather than Peter's confession just preceding it ("You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God").
Three things can be said: First of all, Peter's grave is in the crypt below the building, so this is a proper place to honor him. Secondly, "the rest of the story" of Peter's confession of Jesus and Jesus' statement about the keys of the kingdom is inscribed on the entablature around the base of the ceiling of the entire church and just below the level of the dome. Thirdly, it should be remembered that this building was constructed in the 16th and early 17th centuries--during the prime developments of the Protestant Reformation. It is therefore understandable that the prime Catholic center of worship would proclaim so visibly their belief that they are the rightful successors of Peter and the only true church. (This may not satisfy non-Catholics, of course...)
Three things can be said: First of all, Peter's grave is in the crypt below the building, so this is a proper place to honor him. Secondly, "the rest of the story" of Peter's confession of Jesus and Jesus' statement about the keys of the kingdom is inscribed on the entablature around the base of the ceiling of the entire church and just below the level of the dome. Thirdly, it should be remembered that this building was constructed in the 16th and early 17th centuries--during the prime developments of the Protestant Reformation. It is therefore understandable that the prime Catholic center of worship would proclaim so visibly their belief that they are the rightful successors of Peter and the only true church. (This may not satisfy non-Catholics, of course...)
The sanctuary on the main floor is the largest anywhere in the world, made to accommodate the multiple thousands who come to worship on major Christian holidays. Inscriptions in the floor show how the length of other cathedrals around the world compare in size: For instance, the marker for Saint Patrick Cathedral in NYC is nearly 150 feet inside the front door--meaning that Saint Patrick would fit inside Saint Peter with plenty of room to spare.
The interior decoration is a wondrous display of baroque art from the 16th and 17th centuries--from Gian Lorenzo Bernini's 90-foot tall baldacchino (the corkscrew columns at left) towering over the central altar to the sculptured tombs of numerous popes to Michelangelo Buonarotti's mournful Virgin Mary (the "Pieta") near the entrance. I could not help noticing, however, that the focal direction of the building is not Eastward toward Jerusalem but Westward toward...(?)
The interior decoration is a wondrous display of baroque art from the 16th and 17th centuries--from Gian Lorenzo Bernini's 90-foot tall baldacchino (the corkscrew columns at left) towering over the central altar to the sculptured tombs of numerous popes to Michelangelo Buonarotti's mournful Virgin Mary (the "Pieta") near the entrance. I could not help noticing, however, that the focal direction of the building is not Eastward toward Jerusalem but Westward toward...(?)
Equally impressive is Saint Peter Square out front. Bordered by the colonnades on both sides (representing the welcoming arms of God, as shown in the first picture above), it empties out onto the broad Via della Conciliazione ("Way of Reconciliation")--where one leaves the borders of the world's smallest nation and re-enters Italy in the midst of numerous gift shops. Not to be missed on the square, however, are the imposing statues of Peter (left) and Paul, the Vatican Post Office and Tourism office, and the 2000+ year-old Egyptian obelisk in the center (whose location and orientation makes it an excellent sundial).
An additional treat for Summertime travelers is found just outside the North colonnade--a Roman fountain. Bring along your water bottle and re-fill here, or at the many other fountains in the city--still fed by the aqueducts and providing some of the best water in the world.
An additional treat for Summertime travelers is found just outside the North colonnade--a Roman fountain. Bring along your water bottle and re-fill here, or at the many other fountains in the city--still fed by the aqueducts and providing some of the best water in the world.