10 interesting facts about St. Peter's Basilica

1. Donato Bramante was to the first chief architect of St. Peter's Basilica. Many famous artists worked on the "Fabbrica di San Pietro", as the complex of building operations were officially called.
2. St Peter's Cathedral is the greatest of all churches of Christendom and is one of the holiest sites in the world.
3. The Basilica of Saint Peter is officially known as the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano and is commonly known as St. Peter's Basilica.
4. The dome of St. Peter's Cathedral was designed by Michelangelo and is the largest dome in the world, measuring 42m in diameter and reaching a height of about 138 meters.
5. St. Peter's Basilicais the largest church in the world. It has a 218 meter long nave.
6. St. Peter's Cathedral is famous as a place of pilgrimage, for its liturgical functions as well as for its historical associations.
   
7. St. Peter's Basilica is the burial site of Saint Peter.
8. According to the Catholic tradition, Saint Peter's tomb is below the altar of the basilica.
9. The Basilica of St. Peter is regarded as the greatest work of architecture of its time.
10. Some of the most important works in the basilica are the Pietà - by Michelangelo, the Papal Altar - by Bernini, the Throne of St. Peter - also by Bernini, and the Monument to the Stuarts - by Canova.