We’re getting down to the wire with these childhood cards! This one was sent by my Aunt Kathie from Italy! This is none other than St. Peter’s Basilica of Rome, Italy’s capital. More specifically, it’s within the Vatican City, which is within Rome (I honestly didn’t know this until today). As some background, the word “basilica” can refer to two slightly different things. A church could be designated as a basilica by the pope based on the significance of it – this applies to St. Peter’s Basilica as it too is a church. It also refers to the architectural style of the building, which bears features such as a dome and colonnades. So this is a basilica that is also a basilica. Now you’ve got your tautology fix for the day! Anyway, St. Peter’s Basilica was started in the 1506, and that big son of a gun took over a hundred years to complete! And understandably so – with over 20,000 square meters of space, 150 supremely detailed mosaics, 140 statues and some of the most intricate Renaissance-style architecture, it’s no wonder why it’s such a wonder! (Another tautology! Or is it a contradiction?) Among the main architects of the church were Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, Gian Lorenzo Bernini and – probably most well-known – Michelangelo. You may be familiar with the statue “Pietà” – that’s a work by Michelangelo, which is housed here. Fun fact: St. Peter’s Basilica is often regarded as the largest church in the world. Contrarily, it’s actually beat out by one other church – the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, in Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast! Regardless, this is easily one of the most remarkable works of Renaissance architecture, and it’s a must-see if you visit the area. Thank you Aunt Kathie for another wonderful postcard from your travels!
