Happy Birthday, Mom!
St. Peter’s Basilica is a Late Renaissance Catholic church located within Vatican City. It is one of the largest churches in the world. The basilica is the burial site of its namesake Saint Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. Because of its location in the Vatican, the Pope presides at a number of services throughout the year, drawing audiences of 15,000 to over 80,000 people. These photos have been taken during Holy Week.
The entire interior of St. Peter’s is lavishly decorated with marble, reliefs, architectural sculpture and gilding. The basilica contains a large number of tombs of popes and other notable people, many of which are considered outstanding artworks. There are also a number of sculptures in niches and chapels. The central feature is a baldachin, or canopy over the Papal Altar, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The sanctuary culminates in a sculptural ensemble, also by Bernini, and containing the symbolic Chair of Saint Peter.
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St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City
Alex…great shots as always. My favorite is your opening black and white!
Corinne recently posted..Singapore’s Signature Dish – The Chili Crab
Thanks, Corinne! Mine too. That’s why it is the opening photo [wink]
Memographer recently posted..My Orange Crush – Spring Break on Tybee Island
Love your photos!! Studied about this cathedral in art school but have yet to see it in person…would love to! :D
Michelle recently posted..The Anatomy of a Backpacker
Thanks, Michelle! You should go there. Amazing cathedral!
Memographer recently posted..Climbing the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica
Stunning photos!
It feels like I’ve never been there before, although I visited in 1997 or 1998. I barely have any photos of that time, maybe that’s why I don’t remember.
We went there on a school trip. It was awesome!
I’d love to visit again some time.
Thanks, Jasmine. Why not to visit it again?
Memographer recently posted..Romans Made of Stone and Marble
Memographer, I keep meaning to tell you how your header picture (Havana) is always one of my favorites of any blog I visit. I love old cars so very much and seeing that old Plymouth with the missing letter “P” is like comfort food if you get what I mean. The Basilica is absolutely beautiful! Did you get to see the crepuscular rays when you were inside? Enjoying these as always :)
Mike recently posted..Leftover Thanksgiving Sandwiches, Easy and Delicious
I hear you, Mike. I am a big fan of American Classic Cars myself. “The Cars” was one of the reasons to travel to Havana.
No, I didn’t see the crepuscular rays of St.Piter’s. I left the cathedral a few hours before noon.
Memographer recently posted..Romans Made of Stone and Marble
Thanks for the tour! Love traveling with you, albeit virtually…. you should consider leading photo tours (in real time) – I’d spend a week (or more) of my vacation with you.
Maria Falvey recently posted..Wordless Wednesday – GoMad Nomad
Thank you, Maria! really appreciate your comment on my photography. Actually, I was thinking about starting Photo tours… May be later. But, a week of vacation together sounds nice [wink]
Memographer recently posted..Atlanta International Auto Show
Excellent pictures. When I was there I was stunned at the marble sculptures. Hard to believe there were made so long ago. I also recall, after going through the sistine chapel, seeing a Salvador Dali painting on the wall.
I had to do a double-take at it. Artistically & architecturally one of my fav places.
Shaun recently posted..Edinburgh – In on a whim out with a bang…literally.
Thanks for stopping by, Shaun! Glad you liked these.
Memographer recently posted..My Orange Crush – Spring Break on Tybee Island
Another bunch of great photos. Love the second one down from the outside, looks beautiful.
Thanks, Catherine! Glad you liked these.
Great shots! I love the architecture of the building.
Thanks, Ben!
A wealth of beauty in these images, so nicely captured by you.
Appreciate it, Andrew!