Story Highlights
- Historical event
- 18 April 1506
- It is particularly important that the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican was built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter. St. Peter was buried in the tomb, and it is considered that the tomb is located beneath the main altar of the present-day basilica.
The headstone of the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican was set up on this day in 1506. Earlier, there had been the 4th century basilica.
The Vatican had started the construction of a new basilica during the Renaissance. The construction had lasted more than a hundred years, and the basilica was consecrated in 1626.
Today, St. Peter`s Basilica is about 220 meters long, its vaulted nave is about 45.50 meters high (the maximum height of 138 meters). The Basilica can accommodate 20,000 people.
It is interesting to note that the mentioned church is not a cathedral. A cathedral is defined as a church which holds the chair/cathedra of the Pope.
The Basilica of St. John Lateran holds the chair of the Pope who is also a Bishop of Rome (therefore, that Basilica is the Roman cathedral).
It is particularly important that the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican was built over the tomb of the Apostle Peter. Namely, St. Peter was executed in the Circus of Nero, near the present-day basilica.
After the execution, St. Peter was buried in the tomb, and it is considered that the tomb is located beneath the main altar of the present-day Basilica.
The most important monument in the Basilica of St. Peter in Vatican is Michelangelo’s Pietà. He completed it when he was 24 years old. Interestingly, the Pietà is also the only sculpture which Michelangelo signed.
