St. Peter’s Basilica

Construction of St. Peter’s Basilica was started in 1506 by Pope Julius II and finished by Paul V in 1615. Taking more than a century, its design is of a three-aisled Latin Cross with a dome at the crossing, above the high altar over the shrine of St. Peter.

One of the major pilgrimage sites there is the edifice, or the church of popes.

Although originally thought of by Pope Nicholas V, who founded Old St. Peter’s Basilica, the building of a new one was ordered by him in 1452. When he died, Giuliano de Sargallo was entrusted by Paul II to continue the job.

Its design has gone under the watch of Julius II, Leo X, Raphael, Peruzzi, Sansovino, Michelangelo, Vignola, Gregory XIII, Giacoma DellaPorta, Sixtus V, Gregory XIV, and Clement VIII.

Site for further Information

    "Rome: the Eternal City"
    http://www.highonadventure.com/Hoa97sep/Rome/rome.htm

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