St. Peter's Basilica
Contents
9 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation1:32
Welcome to Saint Peter's Square, the monumental threshold to the 'greatest church in all of Christendom,' Saint Peter's Basilica. As you stand in this vast elliptical square, you are surrounded by the 'carved columns' of Gian…
Listen in the app2Michelangelo's Pieta1:07
Immediately upon entering the Basilica, in the first chapel on the right, you will encounter Michelangelo's 'Exquisite Pieta,' a work of 'stunning craftsmanship' completed when the artist was only twenty-four years old. This…
Listen in the app3The Nave and the Bronze Mosaics1:03
As you walk down the central nave, the 'sheer level of detail' in this place becomes overwhelming; the Basilica is so large that entire cathedrals could fit inside its walls. Look up at the ceiling, which is 'painted in real gold…
Listen in the app4Bernini's Baldacchino and the High Altar1:01
At the very heart of the Basilica, situated directly under the dome, is the 'High Altar' and the 'Centerpiece' of Bernini's work: the Baldacchino. This 'ten-story high' bronze canopy stands on four massive twisting columns, which…
Listen in the app5The Tomb of Saint Peter and the Grottoes1:04
Beneath the High Altar lies the 'underground crypt' or the Vatican Grottoes, the final resting place for many former Popes. These 'Papal Crypts' are a place of intense reverence, as popes throughout history sought to be buried as…
Listen in the app6Michelangelo's Dome1:05
Looking straight up from the Baldacchino, you see the 'awe-inspiring' Dome of Saint Peter's, designed by Michelangelo in his later years. This is the 'largest unsupported structure of its kind' when it was built, and it remains…
Listen in the app7The Swiss Guard and the Bronze Doors1:05
As you exit the Basilica and return to the square, you will often see the 'Swiss Guard on display' at the various gates. These guards, in their 'colorful and traditional' Renaissance-style uniforms, have been the official…
Listen in the app8St. Peter's Basilica1:00
Our scholarly journey through Saint Peter's Basilica has taken us from the 'emotional depth' of Michelangelo's Pieta to the very 'spiritual heart' of the High Altar. You have stood in a building that is more than just a church;…
Listen in the app9Closing1:00
Our scholarly journey through Saint Peter's Basilica has taken us from the 'emotional depth' of Michelangelo's Pieta to the very 'spiritual heart' of the High Altar. You have stood in a building that is more than just a church;…
Listen in the app
What is St. Peter's Basilica?
St. Peter's Basilica is a place with 9 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Type | Heritage |
|---|---|
| Story sections | 9 |
| Total length | 9 min 57 s in all |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 41.9029, 12.4545 |
| Last updated |
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