부산대학교 도서관

(Rome) The Vatican City, covering an area of less than half a square kilometre, was created an independent sovereign state under the terms of the Lateran Treaty of 1929. Surrounded by a high wall, it includes St Peter’s Basilica, with its piazza by Bernini, and the Vatican Palace and gardens, official residence of the pope and administrative centre of the state. Within the Vatican Palace are the world famous Vatican museums. St Peter’s Basilica, the most important church of Catholic Christendom, traditionally was first consecrated on 18 November ad 326, built above the tomb of the Apostle Peter. Lavishly decorated with frescoes, mosaics, and papal monuments, it drew religious pilgrims from across Europe and was the site of the crowning of Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor by Leo III. The structural deterioration of Old St Peter’s became a matter of urgency in the 15th century, and Nicholas V decided it would be rebuilt. Work was sporadic, however, until the reign of Julius II, under whom Bramante began dismantling (and greatly destroying) the old church in ...