Sightseeig ROMA - Città del Vaticano

THE VATICAN CITY (CITTA’ DEL VATICANO) The Vatican is one of the smallest existing states in the world and represents the spiritual centre of the Catholic religion. The state became independent from Italy, after being established by the Lateran Treaty on the 11th February 1929. The history can be traced back to the Emperor Constantine, whose desire was to build the first Christian Basilica at the place that witnessed Saint Peter’s death and the persecution of many Christians. St. Peter’s Basilica (La Basilica di San Pietro) The Basilica covers an area of 22 thousand square meters. The cupola (dome) has a diameter of 42,5 meters and is 136.57 meters high (up to the peak of the cross). At present, the church is the result of an extraordinary series of stratifications and enrichments. The first basilica was erected by Constantine who buried the roman necropolis underground. The construction of the Basisilica dates back to 1506, year in which the architect Donato Bramante began working on his project. The project planned a radical restoration of the Constantine church. The realization of the basilica, based on Bramantes idea, only took off after his death and his project was recovered and modified by artists such as Raffaello, Peruzzi, Antonio from Sangallo the Young and lastly by Michelangelo. Only Michelangelo was capable of recuperating Bramante’s conception of monumental architecture; an enormous complex was designed with simple shapes, towering in the centre of the square and a cupola surmounted as to coronate the whole building. To be seen inside the Vatican:
	Chapel of the Pietà (Cappella della Pietà) Chapel of St. Sebastian (Cappella di San Sebastiano) Tomb of the Countess Matilda of Canossa of Bernini 13th Chapel of Gregory (Cappella di Gregorio XIII) Altar of the Ship (Altare della Navicella) Baptistery (Battistero)
Saint Peter’s Cathedral: the facade Carlo Maderno erected the facade between 1607 and 1614. It is characterized by a long flight of stairs, layout in front of the Church. Windows are positioned between the columns, the central window being the biggest is known as the Lodge of the Blessings (Loggia delle Benedizioni). It is here, that the Pope appears at the balcony when he gives his blessing “URBI ET ORBI" to his devotees, gathered in the square. The Bronze Door (Porta di Bronzo) and the Holy Door (Porta Santa) are very famous and are opened exclusively during the Holy year. To be seen:
	St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro) Egyptian Obelisk (Obelisco Egiziano) The two fountains situated on both sides of the square are attributed to Maderno and Bernini.