Artists helped design magnificent church
The stunning Renaissance Basilica of St Peter in Rome was completed and
consecrated on this day in 1626.
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| The Basilica of St Peter in Rome Photo by Jean-Paul Grandmont/CC-BY SA |
Believed to be the largest church in the world, Basilica Papale di San
Pietro in Vaticano was built to replace the original fourth century Basilica
that had been constructed on what was believed to be the burial site of St
Peter.
Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini were among the many artistic geniuses
who contributed to the design of the church, which is considered to be a
masterpiece of Renaissance architecture.
Located within Vatican City, the Basilica is approached along Via della
Conciliazione and through the vast space of St Peter’s Square.
The magnificent central dome of the Basilica dominates the skyline of
Rome and the balcony above the entrance, where the Pope makes appearances, is
instantly recognisable because of the many times it has been shown on
television.
It is believed that St Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, was
executed in Rome on 13 October, 64 AD during the reign of the Emperor Nero. He
was buried close to the place of his martyrdom.
The old St Peter’s Basilica was constructed over the burial site 300
years later.
Archaeological research under the present day Basilica was carried out
during the last century and Pope Pius XII announced the discovery of St Peter’s
tomb in 1950.
Travel tip:
St Peter’s Square, Piazza San Pietro, was designed by Bernini to provide
a large space where the faithful, from all over the world, could gather
together. It is filled to capacity by pilgrims and visitors on Easter Sunday,
Christmas Day and other important religious occasions when the Pope appears to
address the crowd. These events are televised and watched by viewers all over
the world.
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| Michelangelo's sculpture La Pietà Photo by Stanislav Traykov/CC BY 2.5 |
Travel tip:
Inside the Basilica, look out for Michelangelo’s beautiful Pietà, a
marble sculpture of the Virgin Mary with the dead body of Jesus lying across
her knees. It is now kept behind
bulletproof glass following its restoration after an attack badly damaged it.
Michelangelo carved this sculpture from a single piece of Carrara marble in
1499 when he was only 24 and it is the only work he ever signed.
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