St. Peter's Basilica: A Look at the Grandest Church in the World

I did just about everything there is to do at St. Peter's Basilica, and it was fabulous. I explored the church itself, which is jaw-dropping. I climbed to the top of Michelangelo's dome and looked out over the city of Rome. I visited the Grottoes underneath the church, where all the popes are buried. I even went down into the excavated levels below the Grottoes, courtesy of the Vatican's own "Scavi Tour".
There I walked on the original slope of Vatican Hill, from around the time of Christ (1st century). I saw ancient tombs, of both pagan and Christian origin, complete with mosaics, frescoes on the walls, and stone "caskets" with elaborate reliefs. I also saw underground remnants of "old" St. Peter's, the first church that stood in this place for about 1,200 years. I wish they had allowed photography down there. In a few other places I took videos even where they weren't allowed, but it felt too "wrong" here, and I'm not even Catholic!
It has always been said that St. Peter's Basilica was built over Peter's ("the rock" on which Christ's church would sit) final resting place. 2,000 years ago, when Emperor Nero's circus (chariot racetrack)cut through the very area of today's church, they killed Christians in this place. Peter was crucified upside-down in about 65 A.D., and buried in a cemetary near the racetrack.
Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 A.D. and built the first iteration of St. Peter's Basilica directly over the place where Peter was buried. Then, in 1506 A.D., the aging church was thought to be out of date, so construction began on the "new" St. Peter's Basilica, completed in 1626.
In 1941, Pope Pius XII began excavations under St. Peter's Basilica. Originally, the intention was merely to lower the floor of the Vatican Grottoes, but an ancient mausoleum was discovered in the process. After that, there was probably a lot of excitement at the Vatican. Could they actually prove the foundation of their religion to be true? Could they make fact out of nearly 2,000 year old stories?
Well, in addition to finding plenty of beautiful, fantastic mausoleums, they did find the bones of a first century man wrapped in purple and gold cloth, lying directly under Michelangelo's dome. The remains were found behind a wall with a Greek inscription that read: "Peter is within".
Of course, even the Vatican won't say the man is definitely Peter, only that they believe him to be Peter. After all, about 250 years passed between Peter's death (65 A.D.) and Constantine's first basilica over his resting place (313 A.D.). The bones could have been moved in the intervening years, for example. All I know for sure is that I saw the bone fragments of the man believed to be St. Peter, and several Catholics in my tour group were moved to tears. An American Catholic priest on our tour said a prayer there, and it was quite special to see.
What we do know to be absolute fact is that these amazing mausoleums under St. Peter's Basilica are the real deal. They have existed many centuries, some from the 3rd century, others as far back as the 1st century. And each of these rooms tell a story. One of the caskets held a little girl, and her parents had themselves sculpted into the stone, mourning for her. You can also see the difference in the mausoleums between the families with a lot of wealth, and those who had less financial means.
It was incredible.

[@VBLongBoardSurfer]

Thank you for making this video available. I have been fortunate enough to visit St. Peter's when the U.S. Navy stationed me in Naples in the early-mid 1990s. One day, I will return to learn more and take more pictures. I am a Catholic - seeing St. Peter's in person is a truly humbling experience for anyone. Anyone and everyone should feel welcomed here - regardless of their religious beliefs, as this is how we believe that Jesus would welcome us and He would expect us to welcome Him.

[@5809AUJG]

Amazing and marvelous....I had no idea you could actually go up INTO the Dome, much less OUT ON TOP of it!!!! Thank you!!! Very much appreciated!

[@Chadeyes4]

Best Rome video ever. Great footage, editing, and informational text. Great job! Keep up the good work.

[@jdmatthew]

Great video and a wonderful documentation of how the Church has built to glorify God. Amazing to think of the 2 millennia history of the Church, much of which is recorded and represented in this building.

[@ThePhenomm]

Thank you for sharing this is on my bucket list of things to do

[@remsan03]

Really nice 'Tourist Video' of the most beautiful building in the world. Also I can tell that you researched the background history well. With only 13 minutes, you leave us wanting for more.

[@cupwithhandles]

Very very nice video. Thank you for posting - I was there Feb 2013. Amazing.

[@Cutter1018]

One does not need to be Christian (of any denomination) to admire or be in awe of the beauty of this or ANY other basilica, cathedral or church....

[@Aslandado]

Thank you very much for you quality video. And thank you for your inscriptions in the video.

[@rrbond07]

On one of my 7-8 visits to Rome, I climed the dome only once. My legs felt like rubber when I got to the top, but you get an incredible view of Rome!

[@jmhis34]

Thank you for the video - well done!

[@VictorLepanto]

That obelisk is the one which stood their when St. Peter & Paul were martyred by Nero. It is an emblem of their martyrdom.

[@marvelfannumber1]

With some arguably amazing artistic talent.

[@peacelovegod100]

Great video, thanks for sharing! God bless Christ's Church - the Roman Catholic Church :)

[@Scrovegni1305]

You are so perceptive... Thank you.

[@Scrovegni1305]

I've been IN that cemetery. Oh, I forgot that I explained that at the end of this video. Yes, they built the cemetery on the site of Emperor Nero's circus, where many Christians were killed. The Catholic church believes Peter was among the dead. On the Scavi tour at St. Peter's Basilica, you go UNDER the church into the old cemetery. You walk on the original slope of Vatican Hill and enter old tombs. It's stunning! The art on the tombs tell their own stories, as well as ancient writing.

[@Scrovegni1305]

Yes, this video could use a a new edit. Some of my other videos (newer ones) are better. I was trying to cram all my footage into this one and frankly, some of it is too haphazard. I'll fix it sometime soon.

[@ALDEN863]

Awesome videos man! I am traveling to Italy this summer on a study abroad trip for the University of South Florida! I too have a passion for history being that I am going to school to become a history teacher! Overall, I enjoyed your videos and thanks for getting me more amped up for my journey this summer! P.S. - Is there anything that you might be good in knowing before I head over there? Maybe just a quick tip or something?

[@curicastevic]

great video

[@starsystem0359]

Thank you for that wonderful post. Most Catholics do not think the way proLifeMarriage pro freedom think. Her post didn`t make much sense to me and I don`t understand what point she was trying to make and I found her post offensive. Thank you for your interest in the Catholic faith. God Bless you my friend.

[@Scrovegni1305]

The Pantheon is probably my favorite building in the world, so you're preaching to the choir here. :-) Though it is now a church, I still have trouble thinking of it as a church. Having said that, I use the word "Grandest" in the title of this video referring to the vastness, and the massive effort and expense that went into it all. It could never be called the most INTIMATE church, but in many ways it's the most impressive. The Pantheon, though, is perfection.

[@blakem7575]

This ist the Parthenon

[@Scrovegni1305]

Yep. As a matter of fact, Pope John XXIII is preserved in a glass case right there in St. Peter's Basilica! I don't know why I didn't capture any video of it.

[@He805]

Wonderful and ingteresting video! How many steps did you hav e too walk too get to the top?

[@patrickdavid8728]

Always there just didn't like being cocky when I was younger. Seems like people like the cocky version of me better and being thought of as pieces of property as apposed to being free. Most people want to be a piece of property to there master and thats what the world doesn't understand. I wish these people would have just not been so afraid to show there real face. Anyway its no biggie most these people out here are just trying to get a glimpse of the Father.

[@giuggiolothebest]

you have to think they built five centuries ago.......that incredible...

[@Scrovegni1305]

Thanks! :-)

[@jorgecarrillo2]

Many pagan protestants sons of the reformation would love to see it down

[@donfrias]

thanks ... nice though the camera was so fast

[@Scrovegni1305]

Didn't mind at all. Don't forget, back in 1972 a guy attacked Michelangelo's Pieta inside with a hammer. Besides, as the symbolic "center" of the Catholic church, it will always be considered a potential target and precautions SHOULD be taken. It's like a the White House or the Kremlin, only in this case...it's the center of a religion, not a government.

[@Scrovegni1305]

@sxxxyshaun How much did what cost, exactly? If you mean St. Peter's Basilica and all the art and history within...I would say it's PRICELESS at this point, and probably cost a gigantic amount when originally done.

[@Scrovegni1305]

I'm not ignorant of the "facts about the Catholic Church". I respect the history, the art, the architecture, and yes, the faith too. But it's not SAD when non-Catholics visit the Vatican, it's a good thing! I have visited all kinds of religious places of different faiths around the world. One thing is true of all of them: people of other faiths believe just as strongly as you do. One can appreciate the Blue Mosque without being a Muslim, and the temples of Thailand without being Buddhist.

[@Scrovegni1305]

@ned262626 But now the work in the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica is absolutely priceless. Like the Mona Lisa, the David, etc. I guarantee the Mona Lisa was CHEAP to actually paint, but now you can't even put a price on it. It would be hundreds of millions.

[@CaspPlays]

Having the worst fear of heights and high ceilings I doubt I'll ever be able to step foot in that place.

[@larikipe940]

You're afraid of high ceilings? How is that even possible?

[@peacelovegod100]

I never said that YOU specifically are ignorant of the facts about the Catholic Church. I was talking about the number of tourists who don't care or just don't think about the faith that Jesus Christ founded almost 2,000 years ago. I agree that one can appreciate places of religion without being a part of that religion - to an extent. My point is: Those who ARE Catholic have an appreciation and connection to the Vatican that those who are NOT Catholic can never have.

[@Whitneypyant]

If you guys go on church tour in Europe go to the Vatican City last. My family and I went to Vatican City first then Notre Dame in France and I mean Vatican City churches literally blew Notre Dame out of the water.

[@Scrovegni1305]

I think the Catholic take on this has always been that by crowning these obelisks and "pagan" things with their own religious iconography, it equates to their "conquering" of paganism.

[@Scrovegni1305]

I don't have false security, I'm just not a fan of gloom and doom fearmongers. I choose to look at things a bit more optimistically. I happen to travel a lot, I just returned from Scandinavia and Russia. When I got to Russia I expected one thing, as portrayed by the American media, yet my own two eyes were met with something very different. I don't trust our media much as a result of MANY personal experiences like this, and I don't think we have it bad compared to those in the Dark Ages.

[@cowbellpeaceprize]

I was born and raised Catholic. Please do not be rude to those who are curious. Remember, no one has a "handle" on God.

[@Scrovegni1305]

I know what the Bible says, I'm not dismissing your beliefs. I'm simply saying that yours is an interpretation of the Bible's actual written word. These interpretations change and evolve over time too. Several of my family members obsess over the end of the world and the Rapture. They continually try (as many do) to predict when the world will end using Biblical prophecy. Does the Bible not also say, "No one knows the day or hour"? But that doesn't stop them. People see what they want to see.

[@nevelefuchsia]

Video is moving too much... Makes the viewer dizzy... Need some focus

[@Scrovegni1305]

It has looked "likely" before though. Christians and Muslims have been at each other's throats many times in the past. Frankly, it's soooo much easier to be a Christian NOW, kick our heels up and talk about how bad things are... How things are soooo much worse than they used to be. How this world is so terrible that the Rapture needs to come quickly and save us all from our HDTVs, electric lights, air conditioning, and relative freedom. Things were plenty worse 1,000 years ago...

[@Scrovegni1305]

I respect your interpretation, but shouldn't you preface such a comment that way instead of treating it as fact?

[@jdmatthew]

Rome and the Vatican are two different things. The Catholic Church was only in its infancy when St. John wrote the Revelation and the Vatican hill was a cemetery for criminals. And since St. John was a part of that Church, it seems odd that he would have called it a whore.

[@peacelovegod100]

Not being "rude". Just stating facts. You were born and raised Catholic? Good for you. So was I. But thank you for the comment. God bless :)

[@TheDigitalG]

We are all children of God, believers or not.

[@ginooechler6189]

Very very few explanations, what a pity !!!

[@camilloflaim8933]

Le vistose basiliche di un tempo avevano un significato per il richiedente e per il costruttore ma poco per le liturgie cattoliche perché con pessima acustica perché con troppo eco.

[@markchristmas743]

st pauls mate in london

[@bobfrederick4922]

Peter was NOT martyred in Rome, he was NEVER in Rome. Paul on the other hand Preached there, the " obelisk " was brought there by Constatine as he blended Paganism with Christianity. The Washington monument, and in Parliament in England has an "obelisk". It is a Pagan symbol for the Phallus. Ask yourself a question, When Yehesuah ( Jesus) came into the World to Redeem us, he Preached Meekness, Humbleness and Giving to one another, why would the RCC be so grandiose ?

[@Scrovegni1305]

Why single out the RCC though? You gotta hit Protestants with the very same criticism. These gargantuan "megachurches" springing up across America are even worse as they lack any semblance of artistry. They look like gigantic airport terminals, they even have coffee shops imitating Starbucks, not to mention gift shops... Massive screens abound, and then there are "campuses" in nearby cities where people can make the effort to attend a local church only to watch a VIDEO sermon by a preacher 100 miles away. It's so impersonal and commercialized I find it indefensible. Yet, in grand churches of many faiths I can see what I interpret as great devotion and faith, it's all intended for the glory of God. When St. Peter's Basilica was built, or going back further to the Hagia Sophia, you're looking at a time when many people were illiterate. So the church is telling a story through stained glass, sculptures, etc. And the vastness of the building served almost as a beacon on the horizon, drawing people to a safe haven where they could learn about faith.

[@jimmalloy7279]

+Bob Frederick Every honest historian and theologian knows Peter was the Bishop of Rome and was executed there. Ask yourself this: how can you believe people who began attacking the Church, with an agenda against it, starting about 500 years ago, and not believe objective historians who base their opinions on documents going back 2,000 years...to the very beginning of Christianity? Why would you believe some guy down at Bob's Baptist Church when you can read a Church father from the year 180 AD? Here is just a small amount of evidence of Peter's presence in Rome as the Bishop of Rome: In 1 Peter 5:12-13 Peter says: “I write you this briefly through Silvanus, whom I consider a faithful brother, exhorting you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Remain firm in it. The chosen one at Babylon sends you greeting, as does Mark, my son.” Babylon is a code word for Rome and is used elsewhere in Scripture to mean the same thing. Examples can be found in Revelation 18:2, 18:10 and 18:21. Dionysius of Corinth You have also, by your very admonition, brought together the planting that was made by Peter and Paul at Rome and at Corinth; for both of them alike planted in our Corinth and taught us; and both alike, teaching similarly in Italy, suffered martyrdom at the same time (Letter to Soter of Rome [inter A.D. 166 -174] as recorded by Eusebius). Irenaeus Matthew also issued among the Hebrews a written Gospel in their own language, while Peter and Paul were evangelizing in Rome and laying the foundation of the Church. After their departure, Mark, the disciple and interpreter of Peter, also handed down to us in writing what had been preached by Peter (Against Heresies 3:1:1 [A.D. 189]). But since it would be too long to enumerate in such a volume as this the successions of all the Churches, we shall confound all those who, in whatever manner, whether through self-satisfaction or vainglory, or through blindness and wicked opinion, assemble other than where it is proper, by pointing out here the successions of the bishops of the greatest and most ancient Church known to all, founded and organized at Rome by the two most glorious Apostles, Peter and Paul, that Church which has the tradition and the faith which comes down to us after having been announced to men by the Apostles. For with this Church, because of its superior origin, all Churches must agree, that is, all the faithful in the whole world; and it is in her that the faithful everywhere have maintained the Apostolic tradition (ibid 3:3:2). Tertullian Let us see what milk the Corinthians drained from Paul; against what standard the Galatians were measured for correction; what the Philippians, Thessalonians, and Ephesians read; what even the nearby Romans sound forth, to whom both Peter and Paul bequeathed the Gospel and even sealed it with their blood (Against Marcion 4:5:1 [inter A.D. 207-212]). Eusebius The Apostle Peter, after he has established the Church in Antioch, is sent to Rome, where he remains bishop of that city, preaching the Gospel for twenty-five years (The Chronicle, Ad An. Dom. 42 [A.D. 303]). When Peter preached the Word publicly at Rome, and declared the Gospel by the Spirit, many who were present requested that Mark, who had been for a long time his follower and who remembered his sayings, should write down what had been proclaimed. Having composed the Gospel, he gave it to those who had requested it (Ecclesiastical History 6:14:1 [A.D. 325]). Peter of Alexandria Peter, the first chosen of the Apostles, having been apprehended often and thrown into prison and treated with ignominy, at last was crucified in Rome (Canonical Letter, canon 9 [A.D. 306]). Lactantius When Nero was already reigning Peter came to Rome, where, in virtue of the performance of certain miracles which he worked by that power of God which had been given to him, he converted many to righteousness and established a firm and steadfast temple to God. When this fact was reported to Nero, he noticed that not only at Rome but everywhere great multitudes were daily abandoning the worship of idols, and, condemning their old ways, were going over to the new religion. Being that he was a detestable and pernicious tyrant, he sprang to the task of tearing down the heavenly temple and of destroying righteousness. It was he that first persecuted the servants of God. Peter, he fixed to a cross; and Paul, he slew (The Deaths of the Persecutors 2:5 [inter A.D. 316-320]). Cyril of Jerusalem [Simon Magus] so deceived the City of Rome that Claudius erected a statue of him, and wrote beneath it in the language of the Romans Simoni Deo Sancto, which is translated To the Holy God Simon. While the error was extending itself Peter and Paul arrived, a noble pair and the rulers of the Church; and they set the error aright… for Peter was there, he that carries about the keys of heaven (Catechetical Lectures 6:14 [A.D. 350]). Damasus The first see, therefore, is that of Peter the Apostle, that of the Roman Church, which has neither stain nor blemish nor anything like it. The second see, however, is that at Alexandria, consecrated in behalf of blessed Peter by Mark, his disciple and an evangelist, who was sent to Egypt by the Apostle Peter, where he preached the word of truth and finished his glorious martyrdom. The third honorable see, indeed, is that at Antioch, which belonged to the most blessed Apostle Peter, where first he dwelt before he came to Rome, and where the name Christians was first applied, as to a new people (The Decree of Damasus 3 [A.D. 382]).

[@kbaseballump32]

Bob Frederick peter was crucified upside down do you know why open your bibles for you have been decieved

[@etrnlygr8tful87]

The beautiful basilicas of the RCC were mostly built and funded by emperors and kings. Many of the sacred arts and artifacts of the church were gifts, commisioned by them too and some purchased from money collected. Just like Mary Magdalene pouring a very expensive perfumed oil on Jesus' feet and offering of the Jews best lamb to slaughter and burn at the altar to offer God; thoseexamples somehow follows the thought that God deserves the ONLY best, hence these beautiful, magestic church architectures, frescos and similar art works. These churches and arts are not owned by an individual, but of all of the 1B+ RCC faithful all over the world. These were properties handed down from the early fathers of the church. Unlike many big evangelists and many protestant leaders the Pope as the leader of the RCC owns nothing, he earns nothing, he doesn't even wear fancy clothes. Please google how much Protestant leaders earn and check the properties they own, a few even have private jets. Also You, nor anyone can question the RCC charity works, because the RCC has one of the biggest charitable organization there is, Caritas Internationalis has over 160 charitable/relief organizations under its umbrella. Many schools and hospitals were built by the Catholic Church through the years.

[@Scrovegni1305]

I never said there were many ways to God, I said that here on earth different people believe different things, which is a fact. Some believe in more than one god. A Muslim believes in one god, but he would tell you that in order to obtain salvation he is "compelled to advertise" the Qu'ran as the "only way". I am not arguing with your beliefs, I am simply stating facts. Believe whatever you want. FACT #2: the Egyptian obelisks in Catholicism are now symbols of Christianity conquering paganism.

[@peacelovegod100]

I just read your description of the video. You visited the Vatican, yet you are not a Catholic? Well, many tourists who are not Catholic visit the Vatican every year, but I find it sad and honestly a bit offended that those who are not Catholic [or at least are ignorant of the facts about the Catholic Church] come to the Vatican and take videos and photos of everything..and that's it. They don't seem to care or think about the 2,000 year old faith that Christ founded. It's a sad shame.

[@Scrovegni1305]

Oh please... Look, I'm not Catholic. I don't believe a priest is at all necessary to wash away sins, etc. However, the Catholics believe what they believe, just as you believe what you believe. They call that ground holy out of respect for the dead, not mockery. They built the church there because they believe Peter was crucified by the Romans in that very spot. They built their church "on that Rock". Notice the CROSS on top of the obelisk? That represents Christianity CONQUERING paganism.

[@peacelovegod100]

Indeed. But wouldn't it be great if children of God actually believed in God?! I think so. God bless :)

[@jehovahuponyou]

THE VATICAN IS PLANNING ON REPLACING THE STATUE OF SAINT PETE WITH A STATUE OF OUR MOST HOLY LORD AND CO-REDEEMER, THE MOST HOLY AND WORSHIPFUL TODD BENTLEY, TATOOES AND ALL! BLESSED BE THE DAY! COME LORD TODD!

[@heins6157]

So grand Jesus wouldn't want to be there.

[@StephEWaterstram]

It was built by Imperial Rome. They had lost faith in the Olympian Gods because they became to be thought of as farce and there were a growing number of Christians, So Rome adapted to that and built their Colossal Church.

[@SalvatoreEscoti]

Stephen Edward Waterstram actually this Basilica ist just 500 years old, so NO, it was NOT build by Imperial Rome!

[@sasukimibarki1479]

i love you muslim