Bibliography:http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica.htm

St. Peter's Basilica is on of the holiest sites in Christendom. Taking over 100 years to build it is also one of the largest churches ever built.

the outside Archetecture of the basilica was created by many well know artists and engineers. The building contains a colonade (a long sequence of columns) with over 140 statues of saints on top of it, sculpted by various artists. The dome of St. Peter's was designed by Michealangelo, which not a hemisphere but a parabola to withstand the wieght of the dome. " The Door of Death" is located on the far left of the Bascilica, named not only for its frequent use during funerals but for the story it depicts. On the door the death of Jesus, Mary, Josheph, Abel, and some of the first popes are sculpted into the doors. The "Holy Door" is on the North side of the building and is used for events of celebration such as Jubilee years.

The inside of the bacilica is known for its high ceilings and use of every bit of space to express the finests art of the Renaissance. the Nave has contains a bronze statue of St. Peter as you enter, the statues " foot is smoothed down due to centuries of pilgrims' caresses". Bernini's Baldacchino is a large anopy that protect the papal alter and St. Peter's holy relics. The Crypt holds fragments of old churches built on the site and the tombs of many of the old popes.