St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is a basilica in Rome, Vatican, and is considered as the most important church for Catholicism.

It is the place in which the most important Catholic ceremonies are celebrated. It is part of the complex of Vatican buildings, which include the Sistine Chapel.

Tradition says it was built at the place where St. Peter, one of the apostles of Jesus Christ and considered the first pope, was crucified or buried. The church, it is said, hosts the tombs of St. Peter (under the altar by Bernini) and of the Popes.

The basilica in itself is an alone-standing artwork composed of many artistic elements of relevant value, starting from its architecture. Many famous artists worked for the "Fabrica di San Pietro" (as the complex of building operations were officially called), among which Michelangelo, Bernini.

The pope is also the bishop of Rome, but the diocese is traditionally based in the basilica of St. John in Lateran.

Despite a frequent confusion due to the similar names, the church of St. Peter ad Vincula (famous for hosting the precious Michelangelo's "Moses") is a different church, situated on the other side of the Tiber river.