St. Peter’s Basilica, located in Vatican City, is the world’s second largest Christian church. Commissioned by Pope Julius II, the project consisted of rebuilding the 1100 year-old Basilican church. Forming both a scenic and historic backdrop to the piazza, the rebuilding of the church was the largest project of the 16th century. The reconstruction began in 1506.

 

Though the original design was by Bramante, St. Peter’s Basilica was worked on by ten different architects, including Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini. These architects all, at one point, contributed to the design, and oversaw the project as it was being built.