11th Mar 2025: Saint Peter’s Basilica
Saint Peter’s Basilica, the heart of the Catholic Church, stands as one of the most significant religious structures in the world. Located in Vatican City, its history dates back to the 4th century when the first basilica was commissioned by Emperor Constantine I. Built atop the tomb of Saint Peter—the first pope and one of Christ’s apostles—the original church stood for over a millennium before it began to deteriorate. By the 16th century, a grander and more magnificent basilica was deemed necessary. The construction of the present basilica began in 1506 and was completed in 1626. Some of the greatest minds of the Renaissance and Baroque periods contributed to its design and decoration, including Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, Bramante, and Maderno. Michelangelo’s towering dome, the highest structure in Vatican City, remains one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks. At the heart of the basilica stands Bernini’s breathtaking Baldachin, an ornate bronze canopy marking the tomb of Saint Pete...