St Peters Basilica

The most famous church in the world—St Peters is one of four great papal basilicas in Rome, and the place of pilgrimage for all good Catholics—the tomb of St Peter is beneath the high altar. Inside the Vatican City, the church, designed by Michelangelo and others in the 16th and early 17th centuries, is monumental in scale. It is reputed to be able to hold over 50,000 worshippers. Other highlights include Michelangelo's Pietà, located immediately to the right of the entrance, behind bullet proof glass, marble looted from the Colosseum and bronze from the Pantheon, and Bernini's magnificent square and fountains outside. As well as the numerous tombs of Popes who are buried here.

The time to visit is either at Easter, when the Pope speaks from the balcony, or during the feast of St Peter and St Paul, when, if you are lucky enough to get in, you will see the Pope and all his cardinals arrayed in their purple and red finery performing centuries old rituals.