3. ST PETER’S CHURCH STORY
It’s the world’s largest church of
Christianity. The huge façade is 114
metres wide and 47 metres high. It has a
surface of 22000 square metres and twenty
thousand persons can pray in it. It was built
by will of Emperor Constantine around 320
AD in the area where Saint Peter had been
martirized.
Later it was demolished, rebuilt and
enriched with several priceless artworks.
Among them the most famous are
Michelangelo's "Pietà” and the Papal
canopy.
Outside the church there is the square with
the four-row colonnade by Bernini. The
view of the Dome by Michelangelo and the
square, coming from Via della
Conciliazione, is really breathtaking.
4. TICKETS & HOW TO GET THERE
Opening time:
from 7:00 to 18:00 every day (until 19:00 during winter), except on Wednesdays (if there is
the papal audience the Basilica remains closed until 12:00). Entrance is free. It’s also
possible to visit the dome (from October to March every day from 8:00 to 16:45, until 17:45
from April to September); entrance is charged.
A guided tour costs from 26 to 32 euro.
San Peter’s is located near the Vatican City and the most comfortable way to get there is by
subway: Line A, Ottaviano or Lepanto stop (from Termini Station).
6. THE MOSQUE STORY
Inaugurated in 1995, it is one of the
largest on the
continent and is for the Muslims of
the capital a very important point of
reference. Built and designed by the
Italian architect Paolo Portoghesi
and the Iraqi Sami Moussawi, it is
located on the slopes of the Monti
Parioli, on an area of about 30.000m².
Its interior is
characterized by a large prayer hall
that brings to mind the image of a
forest for the presence of columns
to three stems that mimic the
features of trees.
7. TICKETS & HOW TO GET THERE
Opening time:
The visits are suspended during the Holy Month of Ramadan, during Muslim religious
holidays, during the Italian holidays and, of habit, in August. congregational prayers on
Friday: 12:30 (winter time) - 13:30 (summer time) .
Visiting hours: Wednesday and Saturday from 9.00 to 11.30. Admission is free.
On Friday mornings there is a great Arabic food market outside the Mosque)
Women should remember to bring a scarf to cover their head.
