Possibly the most famous church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican is a glorious show of the riches, splendour, and extravagance of the Holy Roman Empire. Every available surface is filled with frescoes, sculptures and reliefs from Italy’s most renown maestros – Bernini, Michelangelo, and their peers have all contributed a masterpiece to adorn the Basilica. Gold stuccos line the walls and ceilings, adding to the overwhelming grandeur of the space.

Take your time to walk through the aisles of the Basilica, shaped like a Latin cross. As you walk through the nave, look out for marks on the floor, which represent the length of the largest church in the world. Lining the walls are elegant, fluted pillars, and in between each pillar stands a majestic, larger-than-life sculpture of a saint or martyr. In the middle of the church stands the papal altar, surmounted by a marvellous gilded bronze baldachin crafted by Bernini. The four pillars seem to twist upwards towards its roof, which hides a beautiful dove on the underside. Like the rest of the basilica, every inch of the baldachin is covered in intricate carvings and reliefs. Just behind the altar, light pours in through a stained-glass window designed to look exactly like the dove on the baldachin.

Another must-see masterpiece is Michelangelo’s Pieta, a sculpture showing the Virgin Mary cradling Christ after his death. The sculpture was created when Michelangelo was only 24, but already clearly showcases his impressive talent. In this sculpture, Mary is depicted as a young and beautiful lady, the image of a new mother, cradling her son. It’s hard to believe that the figures are made of marble. Everything from Christ’s limp body to the folds of the Virgin Mary’s skirt look soft, supple and lifelike, creating a truly heart-wrenching scene.