St Peter's Basilica
Renaissance basilica over the tomb of Saint Peter, with Michelangelo's dome and Bernini's baldachin.
The present church replaced the basilica raised by Constantine in the fourth century over the burial place of Saint Peter. Julius II laid the foundation stone in 1506 to a Greek-cross plan by Donato Bramante. Raphael, Antonio da Sangallo the Younger and Michelangelo each revised the design; Michelangelo took charge in 1546 and settled the form of the dome, completed after his death by Giacomo della Porta. Carlo Maderno lengthened the nave and built the front, and the church was consecrated on 18 November 1626.
Inside, Bernini's bronze baldachin of 1623 to 1634 stands over the papal altar and the confessio, and his Chair of Saint Peter closes the apse. Among the works in the aisles are Michelangelo's Pietà of 1499 and numerous papal tombs. Visitors may descend to the Vatican Grottoes, where many popes are buried, and climb to the lantern of the dome, some 136 metres above the ground, by stairs or by lift as far as the roof. Entry to the basilica itself is free.
Highlights
- Michelangelo's dome, climbable to the lantern for views over Rome
- Bernini's bronze baldachin above the papal altar
- Michelangelo's Pietà in the first chapel of the north aisle
- Vatican Grottoes with the tombs of popes beneath the nave
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