Tower of Pisa

The leaning tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the cathedral in Italian city of Pisa and is the third oldest structure in Pisa's Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo). Although it was intended to stand vertically, the tower began to lean after the onset of construction in 1173 due to a poorly laid foundation and loose substrate. The height of the tower is 55.86 m on the lowest side and 56.7 m on the highest. Its weight is estimated at 14,500 metric tons. The tower now leans at about 3.99 degrees, means that the top of the tower deviates by 3.9 meters from the vertical. Being a part of Piazza del Duomo, the tower was declared as "Unesco's World Heritage Site" in 1987 along with the neighboring structures, the Cathedral and the Baptistry. (Pisa, Italy / 2009)

Vatican Palace

Vatican Palace as seen today, are a complex of different pontifical museums, galleries, and lapidaries that was started by Popes Clement XIV(1769) and Pius VI(1775). It houses classical antiquities, mosaics, archeaological finds, ancient artifacts, bas-relief sculptures, gallery of tapestries, maps, paintings and inscriptions, Lateran and epigraphic collections, collections of modern and contemporary religious art, papal portraits and statues, objects of the past Pontifical Missionary Corps and historic ceremonial objects. It also houses several rooms and chapels, among which is the Sistine Chapel - a sacred place in the Vatican wherein the selection for the new Pope is held. The spiral staircase and Vatican Garden added attraction to the place. (Rome, Italy / 2009)

The Cupola

The "Cupola" or the Dome of Saint Peter's Basilica is the tallest dome of all churches in the world. It is 42 m in diameter and 136.57 m high from the ground. Climbing the dome is of two increments - from the ground, a lift is used to reach the bottom of the dome. At this point, the inside of the basilica can be viewed inside the dome, by looking down. It is also at this level wherein the souvenir shop is located. From this level starts the 320 narrow steps that winds around, going to the top of the dome. On the way up, several small windows provide the view outside. Along the walls of the stairs are inscriptions, listing some famous people who visited the basilica. At the top of the dome is the breathtaking view of Rome and the whole of Saint Peter's Square itself. (Rome, Italy / 2009)

Saint Peter's Basilica

The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter or officially known as "Basilica Papale di San Pietro en Vaticano" is the "mother church" of the Catholics and is regarded as one of the holiest Christian sites and place of pilgrimage. It is located within Saint Peter's Square at the Vatican city in Rome. The largest church in the world with the tallest dome, it has a 218-meter nave and 45 altars inside. It is the burial site of Saint Peter - the first Pope and one of Jesus Christ's twelve apostles. It is believed that Saint Peter's Tomb is directly below the altar of the basilica. On the underground of the basilica is the Vatican Grotto where the tombs of popes and some royalties were laid. The most recent was that of Pope John Paul II in 2005. (Rome, Italy / 2009)