Saint Peter Archives - Official tourist service for Saint Peter's Basilica
THE ARCHITECTS OF SAINT PETER’S BASILICA

THE ARCHITECTS OF SAINT PETER’S BASILICA

Nov 13, 2017 | In depth

Saint Peter’s Basilica is the one of the most famous and beautiful churches in the world. Construction began in 1506 and it took 120 years before the church could be consecrated. To this day, at 187 metres in length and with its 133-metre-tall cupola, Saint Peter’s...
CALIGULA’S PRIVATE CIRCUS

CALIGULA’S PRIVATE CIRCUS

Oct 12, 2017 | In depth

The history of the area of the Vatican predates the construction of the first Basilica of Saint Peter, which was built at the behest of Emperor Constantine in the 4th century AD. It was here that Caligula built a circus, later restored by Emperor Nero. It was during...
SAINT PETER: PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES

SAINT PETER: PRINCE OF THE APOSTLES

Jun 20, 2017 | In depth

St. Peter is the most important of the 12 apostles, the very first Pope and, according to tradition, the guardian of the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Both St. Peter’s Basilica and the square on which it stands are named after him. His original name was Shimon...
THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD

THE PONTIFICAL SWISS GUARD

May 11, 2017 | In depth

Today, when we talk about the Swiss Guard we immediately think of members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard; those young soldiers dressed in Renaissance uniform with which tourists love to have their photo taken at St. Peter’s. But, between the the 15th and 19th century...