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St.
Peter's Basilica
Vatican
City
The
whole monument complex faces East (where the sun rises). Following
a decision in 1506 by Pope Julius II to demolish the ancient
Constantine
Basilica, work on the present day basilica began on April 18, 1506.
It took 120 years to complete, ending with Pope Urban VIII,
and
was consecrated on November 18, 1626. It's construction went through
19 popes and 11 architects. Until 1995, it was the largest basilica
in
the world, containing 25,616 square meters (275,730.5 square feet).
The facade of the Basilica is by Carlo Maderno and is 376 feet wide
and
148 feet high. The inside dimensions of the basilica is 730 feet
long and 449 feet wide. Michelangelo's Dome stands 446.19 feet high.
It
is now the second largest basilica in the world, after the Basilica of
Our Lady of Peace in the Ivory Coast.
Photo: Stuardt-Mikhail
Clarke