ST. PETER’S BASILICA
ROME
IMAGE NUMBER 1017a
Situated on Vatican Hill in the UNESCO world heritage site of Vatican City, St Peter’s Basilica dominates the skyline of Rome and attracts millions of visitors. It has a capacity of over 60,000 people, covers 22,300 square meters and is one of the world’s largest churches. You can climb the 491 stairs to the top of Michelangelo’s dome. A church only becomes a basilica when the pope designates it, usually because of historical significance or if it houses sacred relics. Globally, there are over 1,400 minor basilicas; however, St Peter’s Basilica is one of only four Major Basilicas in the world. The three other major basilicas are also situated in Rome: St John Lateran, St Paul’s outside the Walls and St Mary Major. St Peter’s Basilica achieved its basilica status due to being built on the site where St Peter is said to be buried in 64 AD.
TECHNICAL NOTES
The image was taken with a hand-held Phase One 645XF Camera at ISO 800. Exposure of 1/200th of a second and an aperture of f2.8. Schneider Kreuznach 45 mm lens with leaf shutter. The image was captured on a Phase One IQ3 100 megapixel digital back.