Top 10 Religious Sites: St. Peter's Basilica - Vatican City

 St. Peter's Basilica  - Vatican City - Rome, Italy

Saint Peter’s Basilica, located in Vatican City, is the largest Christian church in the world by interior measure and the spiritual heart of the Roman Catholic Church. Consecrated in 1626 after 120 years of construction, this Renaissance and Baroque masterpiece was designed by legendary figures including Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Donato Bramante, and Raphael. Built over the burial site of Saint Peter the Apostle, it houses priceless art like Michelangelo’s Pietà and Bernini’s massive bronze baldachin.  (Google)

I've the awesome opportunity to visit St. Peter's Basilica two times.  Both were unforgettable experiences.  I don't have pictures from the first time.  It was in the 90's before we had ways to easily take and save photos.  The most recent was a couple of years ago.  I was visiting a former exchange student, Luca, and he and his family provided me with a privately guided tour of the museum, Sistine Chapel, and the Basilica. I was overwhelmed with the size and beauty.  Some feel that spaces like these are a waste of money, but I feel that they bring you closer to God.  Looking up with you mouth open in amazement and the feeling of being so small in comparison are feelings that I have when I think about God.  

Two of the most inspiring pieces in the Basilica are:  

St. Peter's Baldachin, a massive bronze, columned canopy designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century over the high altar and tomb of St. Peter in Vatican City  (Google)

Michelangelo's Pietà (1498–1499) is a masterpiece of Italian Renaissance sculpture housed in St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Carved from a single block of luminous white Carrara marble, it depicts the Virgin Mary cradling the dead body of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. Michelangelo completed this profound work when he was just 23 years old, instantly establishing his reputation as one of the greatest masters of the High Renaissance. (Google)

The first time I saw this masterpiece, it was not covered by protective glass (30 years ago).  I remember being very emotional thinking about the love of Mary for her son, Jesus and thinking about the sacrifice that God made for me through his Son, Jesus.  

Here are some more images of St. Peter's Basilica both inside and outside.  

Quote:

"The trouble was that everything in it and about it was on such a scale of uniform vastness that there were no contrasts to judge by—none but the people, and I had not noticed them. They were insects."  Mark Twain