VATICAN CITY & ST. PETER's BASILICA

Vatican City, also known as the Holy See, is situated within the city of Rome on a hill west of the Tiber River. It is the administrative and spiritual capital of Roman Catholicism and the home of the Pope.
Vatican City, with an area of just 109 acres, is not technically a part of Italy, but rather a seperate soverign state of its own. It has its own anthem, police force, postage stamps, and the coins from the Vatican's mint are accepted as legal tender in Italy. Colourful Swiss guards decked out in traditional uniforms that date back centuries guard the entrances to the city.
For visitors staying in Rome, the Vatican can be easily reached on Rome subway "Line A". Note that the Vatican has a dress code for visitors and tanktops or shorts are not normally permitted.
St. Peter's Basilica
The spiritual center of the Vatican, St. Peter's Basilica was constructed about 500 years ago over the foundations of the old St. Peter's Basilica, which was built in the 4th century to house the tomb of St. Peter. It is regarded by many as the world's most spectacular cathedral.
St. Peter's Basilica was built in the Renaissance and Baroque styles in the form of a Latin cross, and incorporates a huge dome. Resting on 800 pillars, the Basilica, with its vast marble floors, monuments, statues, mosaics, and relief sculptures, is the world's largest, with an approximate height of 135 meters and length of 192 meters. Visitors entering the Basilica for the first time are usually astounded and overwhelmed by its sheer size.
In the main altar is a wooden throne encased in bronze, said to have been used by Saint Peter.
Perhaps the most famous art treasure found in the basilica is Michelangelo's La Pietà, the magnificent and very moving sculpture of Mary holding the dying Christ.
For those so inclined, climbing the 360 steps of the Bascilica's dome to the top provides a stunning panaromic view of almost the entire city of Rome.