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The church was built on the site, where according to legend, was St. Peter sentenced to death, 400 years before. At that time, the Emperor Nero, persecuted all Christians. The people started to build a church originally only as a place where they could store “Vincoli” – the chains that St. Peter was bound with in Jerusalem.

But much more attractive relics in the church is a monumental statue of Moses situated at the end of the right side of the aisle. Michelangelo was supposed to create a total of 42 sculptures for the tomb of Pope Claire II., but finally only one statue was completed. The pope gave Michelangelo also another work in the Sistine Chapel, so he didn’t have much time to complete his tomb. After his death, no one had an interest in wasting money for the celebration, so Michelangelo decided to create at least the first sculpture as a powerful and soulful figure of Moses. And this is how one of Michelangelo’s greatest masterpieces grew up.

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Basilica San Pietro in Vincoli is located in the centre of Rome, just few steps from Colosseum. Walk up the hill towards the park and you are there. However this church is not in every city guide, you certainly should not miss this great piece of art. If you will be stressed from all those crowds, this is the best place you can relax.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jannis Andrija Schnitzer

The cathedral was built over 600 years. Its eastern part with the chorus and part of the two towers were built in the year 1300. In the 15th century there was added the second floor to the south tower where was placed a bell. Towers were connected with the chorus through a long low building. Cathedral, as we know it today, was built in the 19th century of neo-Gothic style.

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Its official name is Hohen Dom zu Köln. The total length of the cathedral is 144.58 m, width is 86.25 m, and height of tower is 157 m. The median nave is 119 meters long and over 45 m wide, the higher one is the only cathedral in Beauvais, France (48.5 m). The church could accommodate 4,000 people and all windows cover an area of 10,000 m².

Everything that was newly built since 1842, was built according to the original medieval plans.

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You can find The Great Synagogue in the 7th district of Budapest – on Dohány street. This is why the synagogue is known also as Dohány Street Synagogue. The building is 75 meters long and 27 meters wide and accommodates up to 3,000 seating worshippers. It consists of three chambers and according to Orthodox tradition it has a separate gallery for women and men. Ornate interior of the synagogue is the work of Hungarian architect Frigyes Feszla and some elements are clear ideas of Reform Judaism. One example is the placement of the stage for Torah readers.

The facade of the synagogue is decorated with a large rosette. It is located between two richly decorated octogonal towers, which are typically accompanied by onion-shaped domes. Above the rosette there is the Hebrew inscription of the Second Book of Moses. The facade is composed of strips of white and red bricks.

Austrian Jewish journalist Theodor Herzl was born at The Great Synagogue, who became the most important representative of Zionism, and later became the spiritual father of Israel. There was a museum founded in 1931 at his birthplace house, where is located the extensive collection of historic relics, the Jewish objects of everyday needs. Exhibits date from the periods of ancient Rome to the present. A very valuable book for example is the Burial Society Chevra Kaddisha from 1792. The museum was previously attached to the main building and is now open to the public throughout the whole year. One separate room is dedicated to the memory of the Holocaust.

The Great Synagogue in Budapest is one of the most venerated synagogues in Europe.

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