St Peter's Basilica is perhaps the holiest and most important church in Christendom, located within Vatican City on Vatican Hill; it is the heart of the Catholic Church. The location has long been considered holy as the apostle Saint Peter is believed to have been buried here in 64AD. Peter is considered to have been the first Pope and so its place in Vatican City is fitting.  A place of worship was first established on this site in c.320AD, in the 15^th century, the structure was enlarged and improved with the help of Leon Battista Alberti and Bernardo Rossellino. A new structure was created here under Bramante in 1506, and was continued by Rafael who took over the task. Rafael was followed by Baldassarre Peruzzi and later Michelangelo. Maderno was responsible for the stunning façade and finally the Basilica was consecrated in 1626. Bernini worked on the church for 20 years and was responsible for much of the beautiful interior furnishing in the 1600s.

The basilica Latin Cross floor plan has a 186 meter long Nave with 4 aisles and the ceiling is 151 feet high. There is a 136 meter high dome (thanks to Michelangelo) which is 138 feet in diameter. Visitors can climb the 491 steps to get breathtaking views from the top. The basilica's façade is 374 feet wide and 154 feet high with a triple arched portico leading into the atrium which has a central fountain. In total the Basilica covers 72160 feet ² and can accommodate 20,000 worshipers. Visitors to the holy Basilica approach the building through the enormous St. Peters Square created by Bernini. St. Peter's is a major Catholic pilgrimage site and Christians arriving here begin their visit by kissing the big toe of Arnolfo da Cambio's brass statue of St. Peter on the right side of the main altar.