


CALIGULA’S PRIVATE CIRCUS
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
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...