St. Peter's Basilica is built upon Vatican Hill across the Tiber River from central Rome. <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-804650">iReporter Irene Fanizza</a> snapped this photo in September 2011.
Exploring Vatican City —
St. Peter's Basilica is built upon Vatican Hill across the Tiber River from central Rome. iReporter Irene Fanizza snapped this photo in September 2011.
Courtesy Irene Fanizza
People gather at St. Peter's Square every day in Vatican City for Mass and ceremonies. "The monuments and archaeological sites are always accessible, always ready for any type of tourist," says<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-804650"> Fanizza</a>.
Exploring Vatican City —
People gather at St. Peter's Square every day in Vatican City for Mass and ceremonies. "The monuments and archaeological sites are always accessible, always ready for any type of tourist," says Fanizza.
Courtesy Irene Fanizza
<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-734826">Tin Tin Su</a> and her daughter were at the Vatican for Christmas Eve 2011 to see Pope Benedict XVI as he waved from his room. Su was impressed by the number of worshippers and the beautiful buildings in Vatican City.
Exploring Vatican City —
Tin Tin Su and her daughter were at the Vatican for Christmas Eve 2011 to see Pope Benedict XVI as he waved from his room. Su was impressed by the number of worshippers and the beautiful buildings in Vatican City.
Courtesy Tin Tin Su
Like many tourists who visit, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-921541">Kyle Zeigler </a>and his wife were struck by the intricacies and the design of the massive cathedral. "All I could think about was the painstaking attention to detail that had to be paid by hundreds -- if not thousands -- of builders over the years," he says.
Exploring Vatican City —
Like many tourists who visit, Kyle Zeigler and his wife were struck by the intricacies and the design of the massive cathedral. "All I could think about was the painstaking attention to detail that had to be paid by hundreds -- if not thousands -- of builders over the years," he says.
Courtesy Kyle Zeigler
Sunlight shines through the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. When Michelangelo was chief architect of the church, he conceptualized the dome. It was only completed to the base when he died, but it was later finished.
Exploring Vatican City —
Sunlight shines through the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. When Michelangelo was chief architect of the church, he conceptualized the dome. It was only completed to the base when he died, but it was later finished.
Courtesy James Amerson
St. Peter's Basilica draws tourists from across the world each day. "What a history and ... importance to the world," <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fireport.cnn.com%2Fdocs%2FDOC-815380">iReporter James Amerson</a> says.
Exploring Vatican City —
St. Peter's Basilica draws tourists from across the world each day. "What a history and ... importance to the world," iReporter James Amerson says.
Courtesy James Amerson
From the top of the majestic St. Peter's Basilica dome, visitors can enjoy the view of Saint Peter's Square. It towers 452 feet above the street.
Exploring Vatican City —
From the top of the majestic St. Peter's Basilica dome, visitors can enjoy the view of Saint Peter's Square. It towers 452 feet above the street.
Courtesy James Amerson