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On April 18, 1506, Pope Julius II laid the cornerstone for the current St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City. The original basilica had been built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century, but it had fallen into disrepair by the 16th century. Pope Julius II decided to rebuild the basilica in a grander style, and he commissioned some of the most famous artists and architects of the day to work on the project.
Construction of the new basilica took over a century to complete, and many different architects and artists contributed to its design and decoration. Some of the most famous artists who worked on the basilica include Michelangelo, Raphael, and Bernini. Today, St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most famous and recognizable buildings in the world, and it serves as the spiritual center of the Catholic Church.
![](https://s2.save4k.ru/pic/csX4XyU50gk/maxresdefault.jpg)