St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the greatest accomplishments of the Renaissance era, making it one of the greatest structures ever built by humans. Located in the heart of Vatican City, the stunning marvel of architecture is a landmark filled with art, history, and culture. Whether you are a religious spirit, an art lover, or an architecture enthusiast, there is something for everyone who loves a great adventure.

But there’s more than what meets the eye. There are many interesting facts about St. Peter’s Basilica that you can learn to level up your experience of the beauty and appreciate it in its finest form.
Here are 10 facts about St. Peter’s Basilica that will give you a whole new perspective on it.

1. It’s Built Right Over St. Peter’s Tomb

The church stands right over the tomb of St. Peter himself and this is one of the most important St. Peter’s Basilica facts. St. Peter was one of Jesus’ twelve apostles. He was crucified in Rome around 64 AD by Emperor Nero.

According to the legend, St. Peter was buried on Vatican Hill and centuries later, Emperor Constantine decided to build the church on top of it. Archaeologists have found evidence of a necropolis, a burial ground, beneath the basilica, confirming the church might be built on his actual tomb.

2. The Paintings are Actually Mosaics

The paintings are not actually paintings; they’re all glass! In the 19th century, the condition of paintings that were in the church began to worsen because of the humidity inside the basilica.
You have to get really close to the painting to see the glare of light and the little squares of glass and ceramic. It’s one of the 10 most interesting facts about St. Peter’s Basilica.

3. The Dome is One of the Tallest in the World

One of the coolest facts about St. Peter’s Basilica is that Michelangelo played a huge role in its design. At the age of 71, he took over as chief architect and designed the massive dome that is the highlight of the basilica we see today. If you ever visit, take the St. Peter’s Basilica and Cupola Guided Tour for an experience you’ll never forget.

The dome is seriously massive. It is one of the tallest domes in the world and clearly visible in Rome’s skyline. It stands 448.1 feet (136.57 m) tall. It is an iconic feature of St. Peter’s Basilica. Which inspired the designs of many other domes in the world.

4. The Original basilica was Built by Emperor Constantine

One of the interesting facts about St. Peter’s Basilica is that the basilica we see today is not the original one. There was an older church at the same site built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century.

The old St. Peter’s Basilica stood for 1200 years before Pope Julius II decided to replace it in the 16th century. He wanted it grander and more magnificent. The present St. Peter’s Basilica is built right on top of the original one.

5. There Were Five Main Architects

Bramante was the original architect of the structure. He was appointed in 1506 but was replaced by Raphael in 1515. Raphael died five years later, in 1520, on the job. Both architects, Bramante and Raphael, wanted to build a Pantheon-inspired dome for the structure and wanted to go big.

In 1547, Pope Paul III appointed Michelangelo to oversee the design and construction of St. Peter’s Basilica. He is one of the principal designers of the Basilica and all credit for the dome goes to him.

The facade of the building was designed and constructed by a father-and-son duo, Carlo and Stefano Moderno. Gian Lorenzo Bernini was one of the architects of the basilica’s most defining feature, which is the square out front.

6. It Took More Than 120 Years to Build

One of the most interesting St. Peter’s Basilica facts that attracts architecture enthusiasts is that it took 120 years to build. The construction began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. It took longer to build the basilica than the United States has existed as a country.

Several architects worked on it, and over the course of time, each left a mark on the grand structure. Many works, such as Bernini’s fountain in St. Peter’s Square, remained unfinished even after the timeline.

7. It’s One of the Largest Churches in the World

The place is huge! You don’t really realize it because everything is proportionally built. The whole place covers 22,300 square meters and can hold more than 60,000 people at once, about the same capacity as an NBA stadium.

The statues look different from different levels and the size of the letters that go around the basilica will blow your mind. Each letter is actually 8 feet in length and you can feel the difference when you see people cleaning the basilica’s ceiling.
Get the St. Peter’s Basilica Digital Audio Guide for more cool facts about the insides of the church.

8. St. Peter’s Square was Designed to Welcome the World

Designed by the brilliant Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, St. Peter’s Square is a site on its own. There are 284 columns arranged in four rows welcoming people from all over the world.

At the center of the square, there is a massive Egyptian obelisk that dates back to 37 AD; it was brought by Emperor Caligula to Rome and later moved to its current location in the 16th century. 

9. St. Peter’s Toes are Coming Off

St. Peter’s Basilica is home to the statue of St. Peter. It’s uncertain who built it and when but over time it has become a significant cornerstone of the church, especially for pilgrims.

The tradition is to join the line of people waiting to touch the right foot of St. Peter’s statue for blessings. All that rubbing has led his toes to wear away. Now people have started rubbing his left foot as well.

10. The Swiss Guard Protects the Vatican

One of the most unique 10 facts about St. Peter’s Basilica is that it is protected by an elite military unit.

The Swiss Guard was founded in 1506 and is the oldest military service unit in the world. They wear brightly colored Renaissance uniforms but don’t judge them from their outfits. They are highly trained soldiers responsible for the safety of not only the church but also the Pope and the Vatican City.

Conclusion

Now that you know these 10 facts about St. Peter’s Basilica, you can truly appreciate why it is an incredible place to visit. Whether the history amazes you, the art, or the architecture, make sure you book a climb to the top of the dome with the St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Entry Ticket Audio Guided Tour.

Which of these interesting facts about St. Peter’s Basilica surprised you the most?