Fountain on the south side of St Peter's Square, Rome, with the Basilica in the background

NOTES: Construction on the Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano began in 1506 under Donato Bramante. Work continued under the direction of leading architects of the time and the body of the church was completed by 1626. The Piazza San Pietro is partly enclosed by two semi-circular colonnades, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1656-1667.