|
聖彼得大教堂 St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
|
Night view of the grand east facade of St Peter's Basilica |
St. Peter's Basilica (Italian: San Pietro in Vaticano) is a major basilica in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome. St. Peter's was until recently the largest church ever built and it remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom. Contrary to what one might reasonably assume, St. Peter's is not a cathedral - that honor in Rome goes to St. John Lateran.
|
The Confessio, a 17th-century sunken chapel that can be seen from
the
crypt and in the main church,
next to the baldacchino. This is the
closest
the general public can get to the tomb of St. Peter, which is
on the other
side of the wall with the niche at the end of the chapel.
It can only be seen
in the special Scavi tour of the ancient necropolis. |
St. Peter's Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter - the apostle who is considered the first pope - was crucified and buried. St. Peter's tomb is under the main altar and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter's Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th century by Renaissance masters including Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini.
|
Central nave looking east to the entrance. |
Words and pictures from: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica
|