Did You Know?

Did you know that Stonehenge in England is a mysterious ancient monument that has spiritual and astronomical significance? This prehistoric stone circle, dating back thousands of years, is aligned with celestial events such as the summer solstice. It is believed to have been a sacred site associated with rituals and ceremonies.

Did you know that Uluru (Ayers Rock) in Australia is a sacred site for the Indigenous Anangu people? This massive sandstone monolith holds great spiritual significance and is a symbol of ancestral beings and creation stories. Climbing Uluru is now discouraged out of respect for the Anangu people's cultural beliefs.

Did you know that Varanasi in India is considered one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and a significant religious center for Hindus? Located on the banks of the Ganges River, Varanasi is believed to be a place of spiritual liberation. It is a major pilgrimage site, and Hindus visit to perform religious rituals and cremate their loved ones.

Did you know that Mecca in Saudi Arabia is the holiest city in Islam? Muslims from around the world travel to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The focal point of the pilgrimage is the Kaaba, a cube-shaped structure located within the Masjid al-Haram.

Did you know that Angkor Wat in Cambodia is the largest religious monument in the world? Built in the 12th century, this vast temple complex was originally dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu but later transformed into a Buddhist site. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and an important pilgrimage destination for Buddhists.

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St. Peter's Basilica: The Heart Of Vatican City

Unlike its famous Parisian counterpart, Notre Dame Cathedral, St. Peter’s Basilica in the sovereign state of Vatican City, within the confines of Rome, Italy, is a functioning place of worship. In fact, it is the largest church in the world. Notre Dame is owned by the Republic of France; St. Peter’s is owned by the Catholic Church. Both are open to the public, St. Peter’s depending upon papal use of the space.

Formally known as The Papal Basilica of St. Peter in the Vatican, it derives its name from one of Jesus’ apostles who is said to be buried beneath the building under the high altar. The adjacent Pizza san Pietro (St. Peter’s Square) takes its name from the same person, and has hosted more than 80,000 people when the sitting pontiff has made a speech from the church.

Since admission is free (be sure to pre-book tickets or expect to wait in line for hours), this is an extremely popular attraction within Rome for people of all (or no) faiths. The Renaissance style structure (the church was built from 1506 to 1626) was designed by masters Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno (whose fountain is situated in St. Peter’s Square) and Gian Lorenzo Bernini (whose colonnade graces the facade of the building), with painting by none other than Michelangelo.

Inside, the church is resplendent with great works of art including Michelangelo’s sculpture, Pietà, along with gilding, paintings and reliefs. Given that it is not a formal art gallery, it contains one of the world’s greatest art collections.

St. Peter isn’t the only one buried at his namesake basilica; many popes are also interred here, as are several famous patrons. St. Peter’s Basilica is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At certain times of the day, you can hear the basilica’s bells chiming; one dates back to 1288. Older or newer, every aspect of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, is a treasure for visitors.