The dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City is a vast and intricate work of Renaissance architecture designed by Michelangelo. Almost 450 feet to the top, it is the second tallest building in Rome and is lavishly decorated with marble, reliefs, sculpture and gilding. The scripture inscribed in four-and-a-half-foot letters inside the dome reads: TV ES PETRVS ET SVPER HANC PETRAM AEDIFICABO ECCLESIAM MEAM. TIBI DABO CLAVES REGNI CAELORVM (...you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven). The largest church in the world, it can host up to 20,000 people.

03.23.23