Vatican | Free visit to St. Peter's Basilica

Part of St. Peter's Basilica is open for free entry with a queue (a separate ticket is required to access the rooftop). During this visit to the free section of St. Peter's Basilica, the crowd was overwhelming, with an estimated waiting time of 40 minutes to an hour, requiring patience. St. Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano), also known as St. Peter's Church, is a papal basilica of the Catholic Church located in Vatican City. Built between 1506 and 1626, it is one of the most significant structures of the Catholic Church. Covering an area of 23,000 square meters, it can accommodate over 60,000 people. In front of the church lies St. Peter's Square and the Via della Conciliazione, which belongs to the jurisdiction of Rome. The architecture showcases Renaissance and Baroque styles, with contributions from several architects and artists, including Donato Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo. The design of St. Peter's Square was created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Inside the basilica, numerous masterpieces from the European Renaissance period, such as frescoes and sculptures by Michelangelo and Raphael, are well-preserved. The entire basilica is resplendent and magnificent, with intricate details from statues to the flooring.