St Peter’s Basilica | Papal States/Italy, 1506-1626

From the French word meaning “rebirth”, the Italian Renaissance lasted from around 1300 to 1600 AD and was a period of great cultural progression, influencing much of Europe and marking an end to the middle ages. During this era, great works of art were produced including Florence Cathedral, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and the Sistine Chapel ceiling by Michelangelo.

Left: Emiliovillegas24 from WikiCommons & Right: Gabriella Clare Marino on Unsplash

A talented painter, sculptor and architect, another work of art on Michelangelo’s resume is St. Peter’s Basilica, located next to the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican. It is one of the most important churches in the Catholic faith and one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture. In particular, the dome of the basilica was one of Michelangelo’s masterpieces and is similar in both appearance and construction to that of the Florence Cathedral, finished 2 centuries before the completion of St. Peter’s.

Excuse me! Are you on Pinterest?! Here are a couple of pins! Right: Feisan VM on Unsplash

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This post is part of an expanded series taken from 37 Wonders of the World in Chronological Order. You can click the link to read more or navigate between individual photo posts beneath the gallery.

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37 Wonders of the World in Chronological Order

For 5,000 years, the world's civilizations have pushed the boundries of creativity to levels beyond previous conpmrehension. In this guide we explore 37 of the greatest Wonders of the World