michelang…

Churches have existed on the site of the basilica since the 4th century. The construction of the present building, on the site of the ancient Constantinian basilica, began on April 18, 1506, by order of Pope Julius II, and was completed on November 18, 1626.[6] The basilica is one of the four papal basilicas or major basilicas of Rome.

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the four papal basilicas or major basilicas of Rome; the others are the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the Basilica of St. Mary Major, and the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.[8] The Basilica of St. Peter’s is one of the four papal basilicas or major basilicas of Rome.[9

The Chair of St. Peter is an ancient chair supposed to have been used by St. Peter, but was actually a gift of Charles the Bald, and used by several popes. It occupies an elevated position in the apse, in a bronze reliquary supported by figures of the Doctors of the Church, and illuminated by a stained glass window depicting the Holy Spirit.

Many other artists worked for the basilica over the centuries. Among them are the sculptor Alessandro Algardi, author of the famous relief The Expulsion of Attila, a masterpiece of the Baroque, and the master of neoclassicism Antonio Canova, who sculpted the tomb of Pope Clement XIII. Some works that predate the actual construction of the basilica serve today for its ornamentation. Among them, the mosaic depicting The Storm on Lake Tiberias, better known as La Navicella, by Giotto (much retouched later), located at the foot of the temple; or the funerary monument of Pope Innocent VIII, by Antonio Pollaiuolo. However, the best known work of art of all those housed inside the basilica is the Pietà, a youthful work of Michelangelo, one of his greatest achievements, which is venerated in the first chapel on the right.

basilica of st. giovanni i…

On the site of the basilica there have been churches since the 4th century. The construction of the present building, on the site of the ancient Constantinian Basilica, began on April 18, 1506, by order of Pope Julius II, and was completed on November 18, 1626.[5] The Basilica of St. Peter’s is one of the most important basilicas in the world.

The Basilica of San Pedru is one of the four papal basilicas or major basilicas of Rome; the others are the Archbasilica of San Xuan in Lateran, the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Basilica of San Paolo Outside the Walls.[7] The Basilica of San Pedru is one of the four papal basilicas or major basilicas of Rome.

The Chair of St. Peter is an ancient chair supposedly used by St. Peter, but which in reality was a gift from Charles the Bald, and used by several popes. It occupies an elevated position in the apse, in a bronze reliquary supported by figures of the Doctors of the Church, and illuminated by a stained glass window representing the Holy Spirit.

Access to the basilica from the portico is through five doors, from left to right: «Door of Death», «Door of Good and Evil», «Door of Philarete», «Door of the Sacraments» and «Holy Door».

tomb of st. peter

As an architectural work, it is considered the greatest building of its time. Contrary to popular belief, St. Peter’s is not a cathedral, as the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is the cathedral of Rome.6

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the four papal basilicas or major basilicas of Rome;7 the others are: Archbasilica of St. John Lateran, Basilica of St. Mary Major, and Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls.

The Chair of St. Peter or cathedra is an ancient chair supposed to have been used by St. Peter, but was actually a gift of Charles the Bald, and used by several popes. It occupies an elevated position in the apse, supported by the Doctors of the Church, and illuminated by the Holy Spirit.

Many other artists worked for the basilica over the centuries. Among them are the sculptor Alessandro Algardi, author of the famous relief The Expulsion of Attila, a masterpiece of the Baroque, and the master of neoclassicism Antonio Canova, who sculpted the tomb of Pope Clement XIII. Some works that predate the actual construction of the basilica serve today for its ornamentation. Among them, the mosaic depicting The Storm on Lake Tiberias, better known as La Navicella, by Giotto (much retouched later), located at the foot of the temple; or the funerary monument of Pope Innocent VIII, by Antonio Pollaiuolo. However, the best known work of art of all those housed inside the basilica is the Pietà, a youthful work of Michelangelo, one of his greatest achievements, which is venerated in the first chapel on the right.

donato bramante

St. Peter’s Basilica is the seat of the Catholic Church, the largest temple in the world and the main building to be seen in the Vatican. An impressive construction that is built over the Tomb of St. Peter the Apostle and was built between 1506 and 1626 with the help of important architects such as Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo and Bernini.

St. Peter’s Basilica, more than a church or Christian temple, is a full-fledged museum because from its architectural details to its decorative elements are pure works of art. The construction of this impressive temple was a collective work in which important artists and renowned architects such as Bramante, Michelangelo, Bernini, Maderno, Raphael and Sangallo, among others, worked together.

Today, St. Peter’s Basilica is a must-see both in the Vatican and in Rome and an impressive architectural work of great historical and artistic importance. Art, faith and spirituality blend perfectly in its façade, its exterior, its corridors, its chapels and its numerous works of art.