St. Peter's Basilica
Photographer: Jim BuckoSummary Authors: Jim Bucko; Jim Foster
Shown above (top photo) is the amazing view from the dome of Saint Peter's Basilica, which commands the skyline of Rome. Saint Peter's is one of the holiest shrines of the Catholic tradition. Constructed between 1506 and 1626, it replaced the Old Saint Peter's Basilica built during the 4th century by Constantine the Great, the first Roman Emperor to convert to Christianity. In 1984 Saint Peter's was inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Though a former mountain climber, these days my climbing challenges are relegated to scaling church domes. At 448 ft or 137 m (top of the dome), St Peter’s Basilica is the 2nd tallest building in Rome, and its magnificent dome (384 ft or 117 m) is still considered the largest in the world. There are actually two domes, one inside the other, and the staircase, a seemingly endless circular stairway, is in between the two domes. It’s not for claustrophobics. Photo taken on May 10, 2024.
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, Vatican City Coordinates: 41.9022, 12.4539
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