Standing tall as a mark of Rome and the entire Christendom, St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is a Renaissance masterpiece. Built over the Tomb of St. Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, the colossal structure is one among the four major basilicas in the world.
The structure was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1506 and took nearly 120 years to complete. The construction saw contributions from the master artists and architects of the Renaissance era, including Michelangelo and Raphael. Read on to learn about everything that makes this Church an architectural marvel.
Official name: St. Peter's Basilica, Basilica di San Pietro
Status/Function: Church
Location: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Founded: 1626
Area: 220 metres (length), 150 metres (width), 136.6 metres (height)
Architectural style: Renaissance and Baroque
Main architects: Donato Bramante, Maderno, Raphael, Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini
St. Peter's Basilica was built in Baroque style architecture. It follows the style of the Roman Pantheon, but Michelangelo modified the final design to include the supporting piers to hold the massive dome. The core plan of Bramante was to match the Basilica to a Latin cross.
The interior was opulent with marbles, Renaissance-era sculptures as well as artefacts. After Bernini built the Baldacchino and St. Peter's chair to complete the structure, the Church has become a textbook symbol of the renaissance.
Standing at 118.6 meters wide and 48 meters high on its own, without the support of the building because it was built independently by architect Carlo Maderno.
St. Peter’s Basilica began as a modest church commissioned by Emperor Constantine around 319 AD, built over what was believed to be the apostle Peter’s tomb. It followed a typical Roman-style layout with a long nave, side aisles, and a central apse, standing for over 1,100 years before falling into disrepair.
Pope Julius II initiated a grand reconstruction in 1506, appointing Donato Bramante. He envisioned a Greek cross plan with a massive central dome, inspired by classical antiquity. Bramante’s demolition of the original church earned him the nickname ‘Maestro Ruinante’. His bold design laid the groundwork, but he died before completion.
After several architects introduced changes, Michelangelo took charge in 1546. He returned to a centralized plan and focused on constructing the iconic dome, remarkably relying on scale models rather than detailed drawings. It was only completed after his death, by Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana.
Carlo Maderno extended the nave into a Latin cross and added the current façade, accommodating growing pilgrim crowds. This, however, obscured the full view of the dome from the square. Bernini later completed St. Peter’s Square with its famous colonnade, describing it as “the welcoming arms of the Church”.
The project was largely funded through indulgence sales—sparking Martin Luther’s Reformation. It is still the site of regular mass and services, overseen by the clergy. Built over 120 years, the basilica reflects evolving Renaissance and Baroque ideals, shaped by the hands of history’s greatest architects.
For a massive structure like St. Peter's Basilica that took over a century to build, the Vatican hired the best architects in Rome.
The initial plan was created by Renaissance artist Donato Bramante at the request of Pope. Bramante modeled the Basilica after the Roman Pantheon. Bramante died in 1514.
After Bramante’s death, the work went to Giuliano da Sangallo and Fra Giocondo.
After the deaths of Giuliano da Sangallo and Fra Giocondo in 1515, Raphael took over and added his own modifications to the design.
Michelangelo, who first desisted, designed the Dome and helped the structure as we see it today.
Maderno was primarily known for his work on the nave and facade of the Basilica, after being appointed by the Pope in 1602.
Bernini finally took over and created many iconic elements inside the Basilica including St. Peter’s Chair and the Baldacchino.
An architectural marvel, St. Peter's Basilica is 452 feet high; Its dome is the tallest in the world. The Basilica is 730 feet in length, and its interior is almost 693 feet. The entire area of the building and its surroundings is 5.7 acres. The interior is 15,160 square meters in area. The internal diameter of the dome, designed by Michelangelo, is 41.47 meters, breaking the record of Old Roman buildings from that age including the Pantheon.
The base piers of St. Peter's Basilica were 45-meters high. To plant the piers, trenches as deep as 25 feet were dug. Designer Bramante raised the 90 piers to lock them under the coffered barrel vaults at 150 feet. For the Dome, he placed four piers to the Corinthian Capitals. Bramante was a fan of creating large spaces while fixing the piers with pilasters. It's also noted that no one in history has ever attempted a massive formation.
The floor of St. Peter's Basilica changed in design when Sangallo took over from Bramante. He has raised the entire floor proposed by Bramante by 12.5 feet. It's believed that Sangallo calculated the possibility of the Cathedral sinking in the marshy region it was built. To support the structure, he had built parallel walls in three feet thickness. He has also strengthened the piers Bramante created to accommodate the changes.
The material Bramante used in the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica was a lime-based sedimentary rock named travertine. It was very durable and had great strength. The construction team used the travertine quarried from Tivoli, a mineral-rich town near the Vatican. When Pope Julius II asked the designer to cut costs, Bramante limited the use of travertine and explored alternative options like bricks. Marble was another important ingredient. Architects have also used materials sourced from other buildings.
The most important attraction of St. Peter's Basilica is its long forecourt, St. Peter's Square, inspired by Greek style. The exterior of the Basilica is decorated with sculptures. On the facade, ornate Corinthian Columns bearing the statues of Jesus' apostles are visible. There are two giant statues of St. Peter and St. Paul placed on the entrance as well.
As St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture, it sure has a list of invaluable treasures inside, in terms of design elements as well as artefacts. The list of works includes Michelangelo's Pieta, Bernini's bronze Baldacchino, and St. Peter's chair. A neoclassical sculpture of Pope Pius VI is also considered a masterpiece, among other Papal monuments.
Diving into the architecture of the Basilica would be incomplete without the mention of St. Peter's Square.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini created the massive elliptical piazza in front of St. Peter's Basilica between 1657 -1667. The grand public square was designed in mind to accommodate the masses turning up for the Feast of Corpus Christi. One of the biggest public venues in the world, St. Peter’s Square is 320 meters in length and 240 meters in width.
The large expanse can hold as many as 3,00,000 people. It’s most stunning feature is its endless colonnades, forming the borders of the square. You will also find statues of 140 Saints atop the colonnades and 2 identical fountains at the center of the square.
As you step into St. Peter’s Basilica, the sheer scale takes your breath away. The marble floor seems to stretch endlessly beneath your feet, drawing your eye toward the shimmering bronze Baldachin by Bernini, standing beneath Michelangelo’s awe-inspiring dome. Light pours through the oculus high above, illuminating the intricate mosaics and colossal statues that line the nave. It’s a space that humbles and uplifts in equal measure.
Look up and you’ll see Latin inscriptions encircling the dome, declaring the Basilica’s spiritual significance. Every detail—from the symmetry of the nave to the ornate chapels—feels like a conversation between divine inspiration and architectural mastery. If you’ve marveled at the grandeur of the Duomo in Florence, you’ll find St. Peter’s on an even more monumental scale.
See it up close with a skip-the-line tour, or explore further and learn more about what’s inside.
Diving into the architecture of the Basilica would be incomplete without the mention of St. Peter's Square.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini created the massive elliptical piazza in front of St. Peter's Basilica between 1657 -1667. The grand public square was designed in mind to accommodate the masses turning up for the Feast of Corpus Christi. One of the biggest public venues in the world, St. Peter’s Square is 320 meters in length and 240 meters in width.
The large expanse can hold as many as 3,00,000 people. It’s most stunning feature is its endless colonnades, forming the borders of the square. You will also find statues of 140 Saints atop the colonnades and 2 identical fountains at the center of the square.
St. Peter's Basilica architecture follows the famed Renaissance-era and Baroque style.
The first main architect of St. Peter's Basilica was an Italian Architect named Donato Bramante. But throughout its construction, the building saw at least five artists contribute to its design.
Throughout its construction, St. Peter's Basilica adopted the best of Baroque-style architecture and flourished during the Renaissance. World-famous artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael have contributed to the structure.
St. Peter’s Basilica is sprawling across 2.3 hectares. It's 220 meters in length, 150 meters in width, and 136 meters high.
The main attraction inside the Basilica is the Dome built over the Tomb of St. Peter. It is also famous for its Papal Altar, artworks, tombs, & much more.
St. Peter’s Basilica has a beautiful facade decorated with giant sculptures from the Renaissance era. The beauty of its exterior also includes the large plaza known as St. Peter's Square.
The major attraction of the interior of St. Peter's Basilica is the ornate designs & sculptures. It also has the sacred Papal Altar, Baldacchino, and invaluable sculptures such as the Pieta.
St. Peter's Basilica is primarily built using travertine stone.
Yes. St. Peter's Square is an extension of the Basilica, almost welcoming its visitors with open arms.
The architecture of the Basilica includes a variety of sculptures created by various artists. The Monument to Pope Alexander VII, The Pieta, and St. Andrew Sacristy are among the main attractions.
The Tomb of St. Peter is the literal pillar on which St. Peter's Basilica is built, aside from which, Popes from yesteryears were laid to rest.
The architecture of St. Peter's Basilica uses elements from both the Baroque and Renaissance styles.
The Papal Altar in St. Peter's Basilica was designed by Bernini.
St. Peter's Square was designed by Bernini between 1657 -1667.
St. Peter's Basilica Entry with Audio Guide
St. Peter's Basilica Reserved Entry Tickets with Dome Access
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Guided Tour
