Information comes from:

Calvesi, Maurizio. Treasures of the Vatican: St. Peter's Basilica: the Vatican museums and galleries, the treasure of St. Peter's, the Vatican grottoes and necropolis, the Vatican palaces. Geneva?: Skira] ;, 1962. Print.

Jodidio, Philip. Discovering architecture: how the world's great buildings were designed and built. New York: Universe Publishing, 2013. Print.

"St. Peter's Basilica." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Sept. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter's_Basilica>.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svVc3i71uQk

The little statues aren't very noticeable compared to the grandeur of the rest of the building. The pillars completely overshadow the little statues at the top of the building. Also a lot of the statues that have heavy Greek influence. Some of the larger statues look like statues of Greek gods, which si quite ironic considering its at a Catholic holy site.

http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/monumenti/basilica-di-s-pietro.html
According to this website, the dome of St. Peter's Basilica is the basis for other domes in the western world. I agree with the author because the Roman's were the first to build large scale structures with Domes. Therefor it is highly likely that other architects would copy a famous dome, aka the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eustaquio/3196668166/

I really like the way that the light shines through the windows. These rays implement both right and rhythm. They also shine right onto the statues, butting even more emphasis on the grandeur of the statues. 

Annabel went on a tour of Europe during the summer of 2014. She thought that there were too many pillars and it large and dark. The preserved bodies of dead priests weirded her out.  She though it was very pretty especially the Sistine Chapel. She thought that the ceiling was well preserved. Touched by god was a lot smaller than she expected because there are a lot more fresco on the ceiling than just Touched by god.

I also went on the same tour of Europe during the summer of 2014. I didn't really like it very much. I was expecting something more grand, especially after visiting the Sagrada familia. Although I really liked the statues inside. They were incredibly well preserved and showed lots of detail. Now that i think about it, the Piazza made St Peter's Basilica look more inviting because its use of space. I really liked the 

Interior of St. Peter's Basilica

Crepescular rays are common occurrences inside St. Peter's Basilica.

Photo taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Crepescular_rays_in_saint_peters_basilica.JPG

Google Earth view of St. Peter's Basilica

In front of St. Peter's Basilica is the Piazza. The Piazza was made so that more people could see the Basilica.

Photo taken from http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/St_Peter_Vatican.htm

St. Peter's Basilica is made of Marble, Volcanic stones (tuff and pumice) and Limestone

Picture taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vatican_StPeter_Square.jpg

The original floor plan created by Donato Bramante looks like:

However the finished floor plan looks like

Pictures taken from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter's_Basilica#mediaviewer/File:SaintPierre.svg and http://www.stuardtclarkesrome.com/floor.htm

St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is in Vatican City, Vatican City. Construction started in 1506. The architect was Donato Bramante. Construction finished in 1626 with Michelangelo. The Cathedral was built for religious purposes, specifically Catholic purposes.

St. Peter's Basilica from the Piazza
Picture from http://www.rome.info/