St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome

World’s largest church in Christianity, Saint Peter’s Basilica is located within Vatican City across the river Tiber, west of Rome’s center. The Vatican City is completely surrounded by the Rome. The Church’s Italian name is Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano and in Latin it is called as Basilica Sancti Petri. The wonderful building is more than one hundred years old and built by famous architects of Italy. The imposing church was built on Vatican Hill across the River Tiber from the center of Rome. The location’s reference is highly symbolic as here Saint Peter (who is considered the first pope) buried (according to tradition).   

According to history, the construction of basilica started around 319 to 322 AD by Roman Emperor. They wanted to build a basilica at the Holy site of small shrine which marked the likely location of the tomb of the St. Peter, on the Vatican Hill. They built an eighty five meter long nave with four aisles and a wide atrium with a central fountain called cantharus, connected by a colonnade. You can enter the atrium through a triple-arched portico. In front of atrium a tall bell tower is standing.

Basilica At Night

The modification and enlargement of Basilica was under progress after its ruin in middle of 15^th century. But the progress was halted till half of a century after the death of Nicolas V. Finally Pope Julius II decided to build a completely new church instead of restoration. The new building was designed with a high dome by the architect named Donato Bramante and Julius II laid the first stone of the new basilica in 1506. The dome was completed in 1590 by Giacomo della Porta, after replacing of different architects and many modifications. The main façade of the extended building was completed by Carlo Maderno in 1614. In 1626 the final touch of work was done by pope Urban VIII. It took exactly 1300 years in completion and named St. Peter’s Basilica. 

Interior of the Basilica 

Since then it is the holiest spot of Christianity, and from all over the world draws millions of pilgrims and tourist yearly.       

 Bird Eye View of Church's Square

St. Peter’s Square is the main attraction for visitors on their way to the St. Peter’s Basilica, built in mid of 17^th century by architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. He created almost 138 statues of saints standing over the roof of colonnades. A stone pillar (obelisk) from Egypt was carried there in 37 AD, which is standing in middle of the square.

Building of Basilica church has 211.5 meter long nave. A dome over the roof is massive one it is one of the largest of the world measuring 42 meters in diameter and 132.5 meter (434 feet) high. The front façade is 45.5 meter (149 feet) high created by Carlo Maderno. He also placed the big pillars against the wall instead of in front of the building. Inside of church tells more stories to us. The Basilica has a ground area of 15160 square meters and fully covered by a vault ceiling and a dome, which can easily accommodate 60000 pilgrims.      

The Dome of the Church

Light Emitting Form Windows of the Dome

The Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica is designed by Michelangelo. This masterpiece has a diameter of42.34 meters and rests on four massive five sided pillars. A cylindrical drum rested on top of pillars with 16 numbers of large windows. The windows actually support the ribbed vault. A large size of lantern is placed on where the ribs come together at the oculus. Stairs takes tourist to top where you can enjoy an amazing panorama over Rome from platform at the base of the lantern. An elevator service is also available but stairs a bit cheaper. From the galleries inside give you a view of interior of the Basilica. If you want to go on the top of the dome, a narrow staircase can take you to reach on the top. 

The Front Facade of Basilica

Sagrada Familia Top Tourists Attraction in Barcelona, Spain

If you want to tour to Spain’s most popular buildings then don’t forget to visit to the fantastic master piece Sagrada Familia building. The building is formally known as Temple Expiatori di la Sagrada Familia. This landmark is one of the most popular attractions in Barcelona and in Spain. The building is still under construction and has taken more than 100 years and hope to complete in between 2026 to 2028. It will be more stunning masterpiece after completing.

The La Sagrada Familia is dedicated to the Holy Family. The idea of construction of a new church began in 1881, and Antoni Gaudi served several years of his life to making the building. First the idea of construction of a new building of church was launched by a religious organisation. Their goal was to bring an end to the de-Christianisation of the Barcelonese, caused by the increasing level of education among people. They started work in 1877 while construction started in 1882.

Soon the work was given to the popular modernist architect named Antoni Gaudi. Who, took over this holy project when he was only thirty one years old. La Sagrada Familia is one of the Gaudi’s most famous works in Barcelona. During the construction Gaudi changed the design on many times. Because Gaudi was constantly busy changing the design while the construction was going on, this Gaudi’s trademark remained unfinished on his death. When he died only one facade, one tower, the apse and the crypt were completed. He died in 1926.

In later, most of the original ideas of Gaudi have been modified with the passage of time. The construction of temple remained stopped on many time in wars and anarchists.
How Many Expected Towers?

The builders declares that what the original idea of Gaudi. The building will be 312 feet long and 197 feet wide, and the church will be able to accommodate some 13,000 devotees. The Sagrada Familia will have eighteen towers when finished. Four on each facade, four more are the tallest dedicated to Jesus Christ, while the last tower dedicated to Virgin Mary this will built over the apse.

Decorated Towers of Sagrada Familia

An Amazing View of Sagrada Familia Barcelona

Sagrada Familia's Towers

Completion:

The estimated date of completion of the Temple La Sagrada Familia is approximately 2026, given by the builders. This year will be the 100^thanniversary year of Gaudi’s death.  In starting of Y2K, it was expected that the remaining construction will took 100 more years, but the modern technology has enabled architects to speed up so the finally dated was given of 2026.

Sagrada Familia Looks More Beautiful At Night Than Day Time

Facades:

The Church will have three biggest facades such as Nativity facade, the Passion facade, and the Glory facade, respectively in east, west, and south. The Nativity facade was started and finished by Gaudi himself, opposite this is the Passion Facade started in 1954; third facade is Glory Facade, its construction started in 2002, the most monumental of the three.  

Passion Facade

A Visit to Sagrada Familia:

Though the Sagrada Familia is yet not finished, but still the building is popular among the tourists. The interior is awesome decorated. Here visitors can visit the crypt where the Gaudi is buried, and can enjoy the beauty of tall pillars and spectacular vaulting. An elevator to took you to the top of the tower from here you enjoy a spectacular view of Barcelona city. Visit to museum will give you much to read and learn the history and future located inside the Church building. You can enjoy the Gaudi’s original drawings, furniture, and reconstruction models available here. Visiting here will be an interesting experience for you.

Sagrada Familia A Night View

Sagrada Familia Interior

Sagrada Familia Interior