St Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) Overview
St Peter's Basilica stands in the Vatican City above the supposed resting place of the remains of St Peter. A church was first built on the site in the fourth century by Constantine but the 16th-century popes decided to build a monument and place of worship that would better reflect the power of the Catholic church. Construction began in 1506 under Pope Julius II, but it was not completed until 120 years later, and the result is awe-inspiring. Michelangelo designed its graceful cupola (dome) and the interior is an unbridled display of Renaissance and Baroque grandeur and features Bernini's Throne of St Peter made from bronze taken from the Pantheon.
Contact Addresses Centro Servizi, Pellegrini e Turisti, 00120 Vatican City Tel: (06) 6988 1662 Website: www.roma2000.it
Transportation Air: Rome Leonardo da Vinci Airport (Fiumicino), Rome Ciampino Airport. Water: Ferry: Civitavecchia port, from where there are services to central Rome. Rail: Train: Roma Termini Station, Roma Tiburtina Station, Roma Ostiense Station or Roma Trastevere Station. Underground: Ottaviano. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: A12 (from the west); A24 (from the east); SS7 (from Rome Ciampino Airport).
