Collegiate Church of St. Peter. Vatican - Vatican Square, St. Peter's Basilica, Papal Gardens. Which Christian church is bigger than St. Peter's Basilica

It is called the “heart of the Vatican” and the “White Pearl”. Today the Cathedral is the main residence of the Pope, one of the main Catholic churches in the world. The size of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is simply amazing - a huge white dome under the blue sky of Rome...

History of construction, architectural style, photo

On the spot where the Basilica di San Pietro stands today, During the times of ancient Rome there was the Circus of Nero- a place of cruel and bloody fun. The powerful emperor thirsted for spectacle. Fierce gladiator fights took place in the circus arena, and during the persecution of Christians, sometimes the emperor pitted one of them against the gladiator.

Such battles did not last long, and Christians died a martyr’s death, torn to pieces by the gladiator’s sword or the claws of animals... The Apostle Peter was once brought to one of these battles.. Nero ordered him to be crucified after the competition, but Peter asked for one thing - not to compare his execution with Christ’s. The emperor agreed, but fulfilled this request in a unique way - Peter was still crucified, but upside down.

There was no information about the burial place for a long time, until one day in the documents of one lawyer in 160 they found a mention of a monument over the grave of Peter. Peter was buried here, in the “circus” cemetery, where nameless victims of gladiatorial fights were buried.

The persecution of Christians stopped only after almost a century and a half, under Emperor Constantine. The emperor issued a decree to build a basilica at the burial site of Peter in honor of the first Christians who suffered for their faith, and to name it after the apostle. The first altar of the basilica was erected in 313, right at the burial site of Peter. After completion (in 326), the Basilica di San Pietro became a place of pilgrimage for all Christians who came here to honor the memory of the martyrs.

Until the year 800, the coronation of all newly elected pontiffs took place here. until the basilica was plundered in 846 after a Saracen raid. Rumors reached the Saracens that in any of the temples of Rome you could profit from very valuable items, so almost all the temples were plundered.

After the sack, the Basilica of Petra went through several reconstructions., but still by the 15th century its appearance was already very deplorable. Therefore, Pope Nicholas ordered the basilica to be significantly expanded and strengthened, which began in 1452. However, due to the death of the pontiff, work was suspended.

Pope Julius II approached the issue more globally: he ordered the demolition of the basilica and in its place to build a large cathedral, which would be the most majestic of all known at that time.

Almost all the famous architects of that time were involved in the design of the Basilica di San Pietro. Donato Bramante's project was approved, and work began in 1506. Since after the death of Bramante, Raphael Santi began to supervise the construction of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the shape and plan of the building changed slightly: instead of a Greek cross with equal sides, he returned to the traditional Latin forms - with a fourth elongated side.

Architects who worked on the project after Raphael strove for different forms of the temple - sometimes a basilica, sometimes a centric structure. The different interpretations of forms continued until Michelangelo Buonarotti got down to business (1546).

He strengthened the foundation of the building, making it very strong, and made the central dome idea the main theme. Along the edges, Michelangelo erected a multi-columned portico and the base of the central dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, but Giacomo della Porta completed its construction.

By the way, Michelangelo refused to work on the project of the patriarchal basilica for a very long time, and claimed that he was an artist, not an architect, but it was with the participation of Buonarotti that the work on the construction of St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome moved forward much further than with all his predecessors. The walls and roof were erected almost from scratch and work began on the dome.

At the beginning of the 17th century the central part was enlarged, thus preserving the idea of ​​the Latin cross. The architect Karl Moderna added an extension to the basilica and the façade on the western side. Unfortunately, after the latest additions, the dome is clearly visible only from one side - from Via Della Concigliazione.

In order for everyone to be able to attend ceremonial events or services, a large area was required.

This idea was brilliantly implemented by Giovanni Bernini, who designed the main square in the Vatican in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, as well as the famous rounded colonnade that frames the square. An obelisk was erected on the square in 1562, brought to Rome from Egypt by the Roman Emperor Caligula in the 1st century.

The completion of construction dates back to November 1626, when Pope Urban VIII officially opened the Cathedral and began the service.

On the pages of our website you will learn about another attraction of Rome -! What are ancient baths famous for and why do they attract tourists so much?

Description of the attraction

According to the architects, St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is a cross, which is crowned by a huge dome; its height is 138 meters, and it is considered the largest dome in the world. In Rome it was not allowed to build churches higher than St. Peter's Basilica. Its height reached 136 meters, and its width was 211.5 meters. Until 1990, the Cathedral held the title of the tallest temple complex in the world, until the basilica was built in Yamoussoukro (Côte d'Ivoire).

Inside the dome is decorated with figures of four evangelists with animals. that surrounded the throne of God - Mark and the lion, John and the eagle, Luke and the ox. And only Matthew is depicted with an angel. Along the inner circle of the dome there is an inscription in Latin: “You are Peter, and on this stone I will build my Church” (Gospel of Matthew; 16:18).

There are five entrances to the Basilica di San Pietro: the Gate of Death, the Gate of Philaret, the Gate of the Sacraments, the Gate of Good and Evil and the Holy Gate. Through the Gate of Death, the Vatican sees off the deceased pontiffs on their last journey.

The Holy Gates are opened only in the Jubilee (Holy) Year, which happens once every 25 years. In the year of the anniversary, around Christmas, the Pope breaks the concrete masonry at the door where the cross and the box with the key to the doors of the Cathedral are embedded. These gates are also called the Gates of Indulgence: if you go through them during the Jubilee Year, your sins are written off and the person becomes sinless.

In front of the central entrance to the Cathedral there are sculptural figures of the holy apostles Peter and Paul.

The interior decoration of the temple, which Bernini also worked on, amazes with its richness and elegance of decoration.

To the right of the main aisle there is a sculpture of Peter (XIII century), which is considered miraculous among parishioners, and everyone tries to touch it at least for a moment. Another legendary relic is kept in the Cathedral - the tip of the spear of the centurion Longinus.

To the right of the central nave is sculptural composition “Pieta” (“Lamentation of Christ”) by Michelangelo. The central nave is flanked by two more naves, separated from the main one by semicircular arches.

Another Bernini masterpiece is the canopy (cevorium), a decorative canopy on pillars– located directly under the dome of the Cathedral. The canopy is a very impressive bronze structure, resting on four pillars with angels. Bronze for decoration was taken from the Pantheon, for which the bronze parts of the portico were dismantled.

The altar stands in the same place as before, only reconstructed and strengthened. There is a special “window” in the floor through which parishioners can see the tomb of St. Peter.

The Vatican Grottoes are located on the lower level of the temple., the tombs of some Popes, ancient confessionals, mosaics preserved from the 15th century, as well as the place of Peter’s confession - a chapel decorated with marble.

Opening hours, ticket prices

Opening hours of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome daily, from 9 to 19 hours(from October to March - from 9 to 18 hours). The exception is Wednesday morning - every Wednesday morning the Cathedral is closed due to papal receptions taking place there.

The huge open space in front of the main Catholic Church in the world is a true masterpiece of urban planning in its artistic perfection. Designed by Bernini in 1657, the majestic St. Peter's Square in the Vatican today represents the grand entrance to the independent Papal State. Every day tens of thousands of tourists flock here, coming to Rome from all over the planet. And to hear the papal blessing, according to various estimates, up to 600 thousand gather in the square. believers.

Fountains in St. Peter's Square

No less interesting are the two almost identical fountains decorating the square. At first glance it seems that they were made by the hand of one master, but this is not so. Located to the left of the Vatican Square entering the Vatican Square, the Antica fountain, according to historical evidence, has been here since 1490, decorating the Sancti Petri plateau in front of the Basilica of Constantine. In 1614, the ancient fountain was slightly changed by the architect Carlo Maderno - he increased its height, placing the lower, most capacious pool on an octagonal base, replaced the upper small concave bowl with a convex one, and also decorated the base of the fountain with bas-reliefs with papal symbols.

After St. Peter's Square was framed by a colonnade, another fountain was erected according to Bernini's design in 1677, practically no different from the previous one. The work is attributed to Carlo Fontana, although some historians argue that Bernini himself may have made it. The only difference between the two medieval masterpieces is the papal symbolism applied to them.

To maintain architectural symmetry, Carlo Maderno's fountain had to be moved to a new location. Both fountains were placed on either side of the Vatican Obelisk, along the horizontal center line dividing St. Peter's Square.

Vatican Obelisk

In the center of the square stands a red granite stele, installed here during the pontificate of Sixtus V in 1586. The only Egyptian obelisk that has remained undestroyed since ancient times previously adorned Nero's circus. The unique work associated with its relocation and installation in a new location was carried out under the leadership of the outstanding engineer and architect Domenico Fontana. Such an extraordinary event in the erection of the monument was immortalized on one of the frescoes of the Apostolic Library in the Vatican.

Sculptures decorating Vatican Square

At the foot of the steps leading to the basilica, on the right and left corners of its facade, there are two statues - St. Peter and St. Paul, made by Italian sculptors Giuseppe de Fabris (1790-1860) and Adamo Tadolini (1788-1868), respectively. The sculptures, installed in 1847, replaced the two previous works of Paolo Taccone and Mino del Reame, located in the same place, which had been erected since 1461. decorated the plateau of Sancti Petri in front of the Basilica of Constantine.

In the center of the upper part of the facade of the Cathedral there is a statue of the Savior carrying the cross, with a standing figure representing the Baptist John. On both sides of them are statues of the 11 apostles, but the figure of Peter himself is missing.

The 140 statues decorating the colonnade represent the ecclesia of praying saints (from the ancient Greek “ἐκκλησία” - people's assembly). All the huge sculptures were made in Bernini's workshop and according to his sketches.

Religious events in the main square of the Vatican

Many people who come to Rome, not only believers, but also many tourists, strive to see the Pope in person. Not everyone knows that the opportunity to see the pontiff is available to everyone almost every Sunday. On these days, at exactly noon, the Pope blesses everyone gathered in Vatican Square, addressing them from the window of the Apostolic Palace with the Angelus prayer.

In addition, on Wednesdays, the Public Audience begins in St. Peter's Square at 10 a.m., which only in case of inclement weather can be moved from the square to the Audience Hall located nearby. However, it must be taken into account that access to public audiences is only possible by purchasing a ticket.

How to get to St. Peter's Square in the Vatican

Metro: line A, to Ottaviano station.
Bus: routes No. 23, 32, 81, 590 – to the Piazza del Risorgimento stop.
Tram: line number 19 to its final stop Piazza del Risorgimento.

March 7, 2019

Basilica di San Pietro - this is how the name of one of the very first Christian churches sounds in Dante’s language. St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican is located in the historical center of Rome, on the territory of one of the smallest states. Every year, thousands of pilgrims and tourists from different parts of the world come to the Eternal City to see with their own eyes this magnificent structure, which houses many religious shrines and famous works of art.

However, being the center of Catholicism and the symbol of the Vatican, the largest church in the world is used only as a ceremonial center for papal services only on special dates: on Catholic Christmas and Easter, during the celebration of rites during Holy Week, as well as during the proclamation of new pontiffs, the canonization of new saints , opening and closing of the Jubilee Year.

Construction of the current St. Peter's Basilica began in 1506. under Pope Julius II (Giuliano della Rovere, 1443-1513) on the site of an old church built by the Roman Emperor Constantine the Great in the 4th century.

Basilica of Constantine

The exact chronology of the construction of the ancient paleochristian church is unknown, however, according to information given in the Liber Pontificalis (Book of Pontiffs), historians have established that it was erected by Emperor Constantine during the pontificate of Sylvester the First (314-335). Work probably began between 319 and 326. on the site of the old Circus of Nero. Here, in addition to all kinds of competitions, Emperor Nero executed with particular cruelty the first Christians who believed in the Savior.

Some historians suggest that it was at this site, at the foot of the Vatican Hill, in 64 AD. Apostle Peter, a disciple and follower of Jesus Christ, was crucified. The burial place of the Christian martyr, marked by a modest tombstone, became a site of mass but secret pilgrimage over the next two hundred years. In the 4th century AD. By decree of Constantine the Great (the first of the emperors to stop all persecution of Christians), a basilica was built here, named after St. Peter.

For twelve centuries, the Basilica of Constantine was the main center of pilgrimage for Christians in Rome. Only at the end of the 14th century the church, together with the Vatican complex of buildings, became the residence of the pontiffs and was enriched with many works of art.

Interior of the Basilica of Constantine in Raphael's fresco "Donation of Rome" in the Hall of Constantine in the Vatican Museums

Nicholas V (Tomaso Parentucelli, 1397-1455), who ascended the papal throne in March 1447, decided to partially reconstruct the Vatican Palace and the dilapidated Constantinian Basilica of St. Peter. In 1452, in consultation with the architect Leone Battista Alberti, he commissioned Bernardo Rossellino to develop a design that would preserve the important ancient heritage. However, the death of the pontiff interrupted the work that had begun for a long time.

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Architects of St. Peter's Basilica

At the beginning of the 16th century, Pope Julius II decided to demolish the old church to make way for a new, grandiose building. Its construction began on April 18, 1506, according to the design (Donato Angelo di Pascuccio, 1444-1514) and was completed more than a century and a half later. According to the Italian architect, it was supposed to be a majestic structure that could not only accommodate a large number of parishioners, but also emphasize the power of the Church. For the gigantism of the presented project, the destruction and destruction of the venerable Paleo-Chrestian temple, Bramante was given the mocking nickname “Maestro ruinante”, i.e. Master of destruction. In addition, in 1507, a huge scandal arose in connection with the distribution of indulgences by Pope Julius II to those who donated funds for new construction.

In his project, Bramante took as a basis the Greek cross in the plan, in the central part of which it was planned to build a dome supported by four giant columns. The construction of the walls began soon after the project was approved, but a few years later the work was suspended due to the death of Pope Julius II, and a year later the architect himself.

Projects of St. Peter's Cathedral in plan

Since 1514, the project to build the basilica was led by Rafael Santi together with Giuliano da Sangallo and Giovanni Monsignori, better known as Fra Giocondo. Raphael proposed lengthening one of the sides of the structure, thereby bringing its shape closer to the more traditional shape of the Latin cross. Later, after the death of Raphael in 1520, the post of chief architect was taken by Antonio da Sangallo Jr., and the management of the construction work was entrusted to Baldassare Peruzzi. However, despite the large number of famous sculptors and architects who took part in the development of the project for the new basilica, the work did not move forward - each of them proposed his own, considering it the best. Construction resumed only in 1538, which continued until the death of Antonio da Sangallo in 1546.

From left to right: Donato Bramante, Rafael Santi, Baldassare Peruzzi, Giuliano da Sangallo, Antonio da Sangallo, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Carlo Maderno

Since 1546, the position of chief architect was taken by the seventy-year-old Michelangelo Buonarroti. He decided to return to Bramante's design with a large central dome. Guided by the experience of Filippo Brunelleschi, who created the incredible domed structure of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, Michelangelo was able to design an even more impressive structure. Unlike Brunelleschi's octagonal dome, Michelangelo's design had a more elegant shape, since it is based on sixteen faces. Unfortunately, Michelangelo was never able to see the result of his work. In 1564, after the death of the master, the continuation of construction was entrusted to the architect Giacomo della Porta (1533-1602), who completed the construction of Michelangelo's dome.

Interior view of the dome in St. Peter's Basilica

In 1603, after the death of Giacomo della Porta, Pope Clement VIII appointed Carlo Maderno (1556-1629) the new head of the construction of the basilica. He was the nephew of the famous architect Domenico Fontana and by that time had established himself as a promising and dynamic master. Maderno, using Michelangelo's preliminary sketches, designed the façade of the grandiose building. However, his work has always been subject to serious criticism. The fact is that the elongated nave of the basilica and, as a result, its gigantic facade, more than 45 meters high, brought forward, hid the stunning dome, and all the beauty of the new church could only be seen from afar.

The construction of the new St. Peter's Cathedral was completed in 1626 - on November 18, Pope Urban VIII (Maffeo Vincenzo Barberini, 1568-1644) consecrated the largest Catholic church in the world, the size of which is still amazing - with a length of 220 meters, its height including the dome is more than 136 meters, and during religious services it can accommodate more than 20 thousand. believers.

What to look for when visiting

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome amazes the imagination of everyone who first crosses the threshold of this grandiose structure. Under the arches of the main Christian temple there are priceless works of art that travelers, tourists and pilgrims coming from all over the world strive to see. However, limited in time, many do not have time to fully enjoy the centuries-old heritage of the past. In this short section of the article, our website offers you to get acquainted with some masterpieces that are worth paying attention to when visiting the basilica first.

Pieta by Michelangelo

Perhaps one of the most famous works of art located in St. Peter's Basilica is the sculptural composition of the Pietà, made by the outstanding Renaissance artist, architect and sculptor Michelangelo Buonarroti. Translated from Italian, "pieta" means "pity, compassion", and is a term used in the visual arts to designate the scene of Jesus Christ's mother mourning him.

The sculpture was made by Michelangelo in 1499, when he was only 25 years old, and which brought the young master unprecedented popularity and recognition. They started talking about him not only in Italy, but also far beyond its borders. Numerous copies of the masterpiece can today be found in many churches, museums around the world and private collections. The sculpture is installed in the first chapel from the entrance in the right nave of St. Peter's Basilica and is protected by glass.

Chapel of St. Sebastian

In the right nave of the basilica there is another remarkable chapel dedicated to Saint Sebastian. Here is the tomb of Pope John Paul II, who occupied the Holy See from 1976 to 2005.

In 2011, after the beatification ceremony, the body of the pontiff was transferred from the Sacred Grottoes of the Vatican to the Chapel of St. Sebastian. On the right side of the chapel there is a memorial sculpture of Pope Pius XI, the founder of the Vatican. It was during his pontificate, according to the Lateran Agreements, that the boundaries of the Vatican State were determined.

Canopy Bernini

Directly under the dome of the basilica is a huge bronze canopy (otherwise called a ciborium or canopy), located above the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica. Designed by order of Pope Urban VIII, it was supposed to mark the burial place of the Apostle Peter in a monumental way.

Work on its construction began in July 1624 and lasted almost ten years. This 29-meter structure is a real masterpiece - a gilded bronze canopy rests on four 20-meter spiral columns resting on high, almost human-height stone bases. For a long time it was believed that the bronze used for casting was taken from the dome of the ancient Pantheon, but this is not so - it was brought from Venice, and the bronze covering of the Temple of All Gods served to cast 80 cannons of the Castel Sant'Angelo.

Solomon's columns

The canopy columns above the main altar of St. Peter's Basilica imitate the shape of the marble Solomon columns. In the 4th century, Emperor Constantine brought to Rome several columns that he took, it is believed, from the second Temple of Solomon, which existed on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem between 586. BC. and 70g. AD They were part of the interior of the old Basilica of Constantine and were used as a pergula (the dividing structure of the temple space). When creating the interior decoration of the new St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Bernini placed them in the niches of the four large pylons of the church.

Department

In the central apse of the basilica, behind the main altar, you can see another masterpiece of Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini - the Chair of St. Peter, made of bronze and a valuable reliquary. Inside the grandiose altar composition one of the main relics of the cathedral is kept - the original wooden throne of the First Pope, Apostle Peter. It was given as a gift to Pope John VIII by the Frankish king Charles II on the occasion of his coronation on December 25, 875.

The work is a complex sculpture, the central element of which is the Throne of Peter. Floating in the air, it is as if supported by the monumental figures of great church figures located below the throne, whose works influenced the formation and development of the Church: Saints John Chrysostom, Athanasius the Great, Ambrose of Milan and Saint Augustine.

Bronze statue of Apostle Peter

The last pylon of the central nave contains the famous bronze statue of St. Peter, made by the Italian sculptor and architect Arnolfo di Cambio (1245-1310). The ancient sculpture depicts an apostle seated on a throne, who blesses believers with his right hand and holds the key to the Kingdom of Heaven with his left. Pilgrims visiting the church treat it with special reverence - according to legend, it is believed that if you touch his right leg and ask with faith for the fulfillment of your intended desire, it will certainly come true. Over the years, the right foot has become so worn that the statue's toes are no longer visible.

Mosaic "Transfiguration" based on the painting by Raphael Santi

The Altar of the Transfiguration of Christ, located in the left nave, is decorated with a magnificent mosaic made after the famous painting by Raphael, which was one of the last works of the artist. Today, the original painting itself is in the Vatican Museums.

In our short article, of course, it is impossible to describe everything there is to see in St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican and describe its magnificence. Our website invites readers to watch a film shown on the Culture TV channel, filmed by German filmmakers, which tells about the history of the basilica, the Vatican State, as well as the unique works of art located on its territory.

Opening hours and visiting rules

During the summer period - from April to September inclusive, the basilica is open daily from 07:00 to 19:00. From October to March – from 07:00 to 18:00. Every Wednesday, during the pontiff's general audience in the square, the cathedral is closed in the morning.

• It is prohibited to carry large bags and backpacks, sharp objects, explosive and flammable liquids. There is a search at the entrance.
• When visiting, it is recommended not to wear frivolous clothing that will cause rejection among others. In particular, in order not to violate church canons and not to offend the feelings of believers, women should cover their bare shoulders with a shawl or any other clothing.
• Taking photographs in the temple is not prohibited, but you should not use a flash.

Dome

Visiting the observation deck of the cathedral dome on foot (551 steps!) is possible daily from 08:00 to 18:00 from April to October, and from 08:00 to 16:45 from October to March. The ticket price is 8 euros.
You can also climb the dome by elevator, which will take you to the observation deck of the open terrace. The cost of the service is 10 euros.

Vatican Grottoes

The Vatican Grottoes are open every day from 07:00 to 18:00 from April to September, and from 07:00 to 17:00 from October to March. Access is from the basilica's transept.

Necropolis

St. Peter's Cathedral in the Vatican: history, architects, photos

The main cathedral of the Catholic world is located in Rome. It is the spiritual center of the largest Christian denomination and the seat of the Pope. Saint Peter plays a special role in Christianity; he is called the supreme Apostle. According to the Gospel, Christ himself gave him the name. Peter means "stone".

The Apostle preached in Palestine, and at the end of his life, around 64 AD. went to Rome. During the persecution of Christians, the apostle was executed by order of Emperor Nero. In 326, at the site of the supposed grave of St. Peter's basilica was built. The special role of the Apostle Peter for Catholics is due to the fact that they consider him the first bishop of Rome, which means that the Popes of Rome lead a direct chain of succession from him.

St. Peter is no less important for Orthodox and other Christians. Among the saints revered by the Orthodox, the Popes Leo the Great, Gregory the Great, the Apostles Simon the Zealot and Judas Thaddeus, and the martyrs Proces and Martin are buried in the Cathedral. There is also a piece of the Life-giving Cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified.

Basilica of St. Petra from the time of Emperor Constantine existed for more than 1000 years. By the middle of the 15th century. its structures became very dilapidated and required serious repairs. The size of the basilica no longer corresponded to the main temple of Catholicism. Therefore, in 1452, Pope Nicholas V ordered the reconstruction of the building to begin. However, the work remained unfinished due to the imminent death of the pope in 1455.

The question of rebuilding the basilica was postponed for another 50 years.

Architects and their contribution to construction

Pope Julius II remained in history as one of the most militant. He almost constantly fought for the expansion of the Papal States: he successfully fought with Venice, captured Perugia and Bologna. Nevertheless, it was he who initiated the construction of the new Cathedral.

Donato Bramante

In the spring of 1506, the pope appointed Donato Bramante (1451–1514), who had arrived from Milan several years earlier, as the chief architect of the future temple. This master worked in the traditions of the Florentine Renaissance and built 2 very beautiful churches in Milan. Bramante wanted to surpass the Florence Cathedral, built in 1436 by the architect Brunelleschi, with a dome diameter of 42 m and a height of over 90 m.

The architect planned to build the Cathedral in the shape of a Greek cross, that is, the same in length and width. For the dome, he wanted to use the method that ancient craftsmen had once used to build the Pantheon - adding volcanic pumice and tuff to the concrete to make it lighter. Bramante rediscovered this technology.

Construction soon began. However, Pope Julius II died in 1513, and the following year the 70-year-old architect also passed away. By the time of his death, most of the walls of the future building had been erected, arches and some chapels had been built.

Rafael Santi

The famous painter moved to Rome in 1508, when he was 25 years old. Raphael's main work was painting temples and creating frescoes in the Vatican palaces. He also painted the Sistine Chapel.

Raphael also left his mark in architecture. He completed the Vatican courtyard with loggias that Bramante began. From 1514 he became the chief architect of the future Cathedral. Raphael changed the project: instead of the Greek cross, he proposed a traditional Latin one, making the temple more elongated in length.

However, during the reign of Pope Leo X, construction did not progress much. The Pope from the Medici dynasty led a wasteful lifestyle: the papal curia introduced new taxes, but there was not enough money for the construction of the cathedral.

Baldasare Peruzzi and Antonio da Sangallo

After Raphael, construction was carried out by Baldasare Peruzzi. But the work was interrupted in 1527 by the sack of Rome and the subsequent restoration of the city. The architect left Rome for a while, and after returning in 1534 he lived only 2 years. In 1538, the work was headed by Antonio da Sangallo. The concept of the Cathedral was changed again. Da Sangallo erected the southern and eastern parts of the building.

Michelangelo Buonarotti

In 1546, management of the construction was transferred to Michelangelo, who at that time was 72 years old. Michelangelo did not want to build the Cathedral, as this would prevent him from returning to his native Florence.

He returned to Donato Bramante's original design in the form of a Greek cross and partially dismantled the structures erected by his predecessor. Michelangelo strengthened the foundation of the Cathedral and increased the thickness of the supporting columns. Construction progressed quickly, and by the end of Buonarotti's life the walls and drum of the dome had been erected.

Giacomo della Porta

After the master's death in 1564, management of the work was transferred to his student, Giacomo della Porta. In the early stages he was helped by another student of Michelangelo, Giacomo da Vignola, who erected two small domes of the Cathedral. In 1590, della Porta completed the construction of the main dome. Michelangelo's project was slightly modified - the building was slightly elongated in length and took on an oval shape.

Della Porta supervised the construction for almost 40 years, until his death. And in fact the cathedral was built under him. However, the debate about the shape of the building - in the form of a Greek or Roman cross - did not end there.

Carlo Maderna

In 1605, Pope Paul V from the Borghese clan came to power in Rome. In the first year of his reign, reconstruction of the almost finished building began. Carlo Maderna (1556–1629), a native of Switzerland, was appointed chief architect. By this time Maderna had already built several famous churches in Rome, although his main occupation was considered to be the construction of fountains.

Pope Paul V instructed the architect to demolish the finished façade and rebuild the temple in the form of a Latin cross. So, after a century of struggle between these concepts, the Latin cross finally prevailed. The part of the temple oriented to the east was lengthened. Maderna added the basilica to the main part and made a completely new façade.

St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome took its finished form in 1626. After reconstruction, the dome of the Cathedral became almost invisible from the square. But the grandiose façade, built by Maderna, magnificently decorated the building. Carlo Maderna preserved the style set by Donato Bramante and the great Michelangelo.

For convenience, the architects who participated in the creation of the Cathedral are listed in the table:

Architect	Years of life	Years of participation in the construction of the Cathedral	Project Features	What is done
Donato Bramante	1451–1514	1506–1514	Greek cross	The foundation and most of the walls have been built
Rafael Santi	1483–1520	1514–1520	Latin cross	Construction hardly progressed
Baldasare Peruzzi	1481–1536	1520–1527 and 1534–1536	Greek cross
Antonio da Sangallo (Younger)	1484–1546	1539–1546	Latin cross	The southern and eastern branches of the building were erected
Michelangelo Buonarotti	1488–1564	1546–1564	Greek cross	Load-bearing structures, walls and dome drum
Giacomo della Porta	1533–1602	1564–1602	Greek cross	Michelangelo completed the project and completed the dome
Carlo Maderna	1556–1629	1605–1626	Latin cross	He extended the eastern part, completing the basilica. Made a new facade

Architecture

The creation of the architectural complex did not end there. Ahead was the construction of the square, decoration of the interiors and facade.

Square

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome today is difficult to imagine without a square. The oval square, framed by columns, forms a single whole with the cathedral. From above, the square and the cathedral look together like a giant key. This is a symbol of St. Peter, who, according to Christian tradition, is considered the keeper of the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.

In the center of the square there is an obelisk brought from Heliopolis in Egypt in the 1st century. n. e. The obelisk casts a shadow in such a way that time can be determined by it. In essence, the square is a giant sundial, but it can only be seen from the height of the Cathedral dome.

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome has a beautiful area. This is the most frequently visited place in Rome.

The project of the colonnade framing the square was designed by Giovanni Bernini. After his name, the building, completed in 1667, is sometimes called Bernini's colonnade. It consists of four rows of columns, above which rise statues of 140 saints. Right behind the colonnade today is the border of the Vatican State. This formal border is guarded by an honor guard of Swiss Guards.

On both sides of the obelisk, the square is decorated with Bernini and Maderno fountains.

The area of ​​the cathedral has the shape of an oval, elongated parallel to the facade of the temple - 340 m in length and 240 in width. Due to its size, the square seems spacious, even when there are many tourists there. Catholic believers come here to receive a blessing from the Pope. Periodically, he goes out onto the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica and makes the sign of the cross over the believers.

The part of the square adjacent to the Cathedral is occupied by rows of benches - festive services are held here.

Facade

Believers entering the Cathedral are greeted by statues of the apostles, John the Baptist and Christ standing at the top of the façade . They can be seen from afar - the height of the statues is 5.65 m. There is no Peter among the apostles, because his sculpture is located in front of the entrance to the Cathedral.

On the sides of the facade, next to the figures of the apostles, there are two huge clocks - Italian and French. The French show only the hour; they have one hand – the hour hand. This watch is no different. The French clock was installed because the popes lived for a long time in France, in Avignon - the period of the so-called “Avignon captivity”.

Center

In the center of the façade is the Loggia of the Blessing, the place from which the Pope blesses the faithful. This most beautiful of the 9 balconies on the facade is located above the central gate. According to tradition, the pope pronounces the words of blessing “Urbi et Orbi” - to the city and the world. This is also where the election of a new pope is reported for the first time.

Portals

Through the portico of the Cathedral, five gates, or portals, lead into the building:

Dome

The dome of the Cathedral together with the cross has a height of 136.6 m. Its internal height is 119 m. The diameter inside is 41.5 m. Inside the cross there are boxes with valuable Christian relics.

The dome consists of an inner and an outer dome, between them there is an empty space and a staircase.

The dome of the Cathedral is divided into 16 sectors.

On its inside there are mosaics with images:

• 16 popes;
• Christ, Our Lady and Apostles;
• angels who hold symbols of the Passion of Christ;
• six-winged cherubs;
• winged angels;
• gilded cherubs.

You can climb to the dome of the Cathedral - by stairs or by elevator. Taking the elevator costs 10 euros, while taking the stairs costs 8 euros. The elevator only goes up to the middle, to the observation deck on the roof. The last section of the path inside the dome will still have to be walked - along a narrow spiral staircase.

According to many, it is from the dome of the Cathedral that the best views of Rome open. From here you can see St. Peter's Square, the Tiber River, Palazzo Venezia, palaces and parks of the Vatican. Across the river, in the haze, you can see the city center with a picturesque jumble of historical buildings. Experienced tourists advise going up in the morning, when the line to get up is not so long.

Interior and interior decoration

The front part of the Cathedral is a classical three-nave basilica. The spacious central nave is full of free, echoing space. The right and left naves - not so high, but more comfortable - contain chapels with sculptures, tombs and mosaics. Here are outstanding works of the Renaissance masters.

Right nave

The northern, or right nave, of the Cathedral stretches from the main façade to the Papal Altar. On the inner, left side, the nave is bordered by columns, in the niches of which there are sculptural compositions and paintings.

On the right side of the nave are chapels, or chapels, dedicated to various saints, sacraments or events of religious history.

Pieta

If you turn right from the entrance to the Cathedral, you can see the Virgin Mary holding the lifeless Christ in her arms. This is the Pieta - a sculpture by Michelangelo, created by him long before the brilliant sculptor became the architect of the Cathedral. "Pieta" means "regret, lamentation."

Mary is depicted at the moment when the crucified Jesus was taken down from the Cross. There is still no triumph over death, only sadness.

Michelangelo created this sculpture at the age of 25. When they asked him why Madonna was so young, he replied that she had the face of his mother, who died giving birth to her younger brother... In 1972, an attacker attacked the statue with a hammer in his hands and struck it several times. The statue was restored, but after this event, bulletproof glass was installed nearby.

Monument to Pontiff Leo XII

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, like many Catholic churches, is also a tomb. Most of the popes are buried in the necropolis under the Cathedral. The tombstones of some of the most prominent ones are exhibited in the Cathedral. And only in certain cases, when popes are canonized, are the bodies themselves located here.

So in the Cathedral are the mummified remains of John 23, the “Good Pope”, under whom the Second Vatican Council took place. The monument to Leo XII (1760–1829) stands in the right nave near the entrance. The Pope is depicted giving a blessing, and in the background the figures of four cardinals are visible, as if peeking out from behind him.

It is believed that Leo XII was chosen on the verge of his death and said “by choosing me, you are choosing a dead man.” Therefore, each of these cardinals in turn hoped to become pope. However, the policy of Leo XII turned out to be confident and tough; he actively fought against revolutionary sentiments and secret societies. None of the cardinals depicted here could become pope.

And Cardinal Castiglione became his successor to Leo XII. Under the tombstone is a lattice door through which you can enter the Chapel of Relics. This door is usually closed. There is an ancient wooden crucifix from the 13th century, created by Peter Cavallini.

Chapel of St. Sebastian

The altar is dedicated to the Christian martyr Sebastian, who lived in Rome in the 3rd century. AD He was executed during the persecution of Christians under Emperor Diocletian in 288. The plot, where Sebastian tied to a stake is pierced with arrows, became widespread in art. The author of the mosaic is Pietro Paolo Cristofari.

Today, this chapel houses the tomb of Pope John Paul II (1920–2005). The pope, whose name in the world was Karol Wojtyla, was of Polish origin, held this post from 1978 to 2005. It was a time of reform in the Catholic Church. John Paul II made contacts with other faiths, spoke to Muslims and Jews, and visited mosques.

Under him, dialogue between Catholics and Orthodox Christians was resumed. John Paul II consistently advocated peace and condemned the war in the Persian Gulf (1990) and Iraq (2003). He brought repentance on behalf of the Catholic Church for the mistakes of past centuries - the Crusades, the Inquisition, church schisms and incorrect dogmas. Under him, Galileo Galilei was rehabilitated and Joan of Arc was canonized.

Tomb of Margravine Matilda of Canossa

Matilda of Tuscany, also known as Matilda of Canossa, lived in the second half of the 11th century. and was a Countess of Tuscany, in Northern Italy. An episode known as “Henry’s walk to Canossa” is associated with it. Pope Gregory VII waged war with King Henry IV. The military operations were not going in the pope’s favor, so Gregory was forced to take refuge in the countess’s castle.

But the pope excommunicated his enemy, and thanks to Matilda's diplomatic efforts, the king was forced to ask him for forgiveness. In January 1077, Henry went barefoot to the pope in Canossa. This episode was of great importance for establishing the authority of the popes in medieval Europe.

Matilda of Tuscany bequeathed all her possessions and lands to the Roman Catholic Church. In 1634, at the direction of Pope Urban VIII, her body was transported to the newly built Cathedral. The tombstone was created by Giovanni Bernini and his students. The bas-relief of the tomb depicts Henry IV kneeling before Pope Gregory VII.

Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament

The chapel, or chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, is located towards the end of the right nave. In its center is a tabernacle by Bernini (1674), made of gilded bronze. It is made in the form of the Tempieto rotunda, which was built by Bramante in 1502 on the Roman hill of Iaticulus. Two angels are kneeling next to the rotunda.

In the background is a painting of the New Testament Trinity by Pietro de Cartona.

This is the only painting in the Cathedral that is painted in oil. The chapel is closed to tourists: only Catholic believers can enter here for prayer. Next to the chapel in a niche you can see a monument to Pope Gregory XIII, who carried out the calendar reform. The bas-relief on the tombstone commemorates this event.

Left nave

The southern, or left, nave of the Cathedral is located symmetrically to the right and largely repeats it. It is separated from the central nave by rows of columns with niches containing outstanding works of art. On the opposite side, here, as in the right nave, there are tombstones of popes and many altars.

Tomb of Alexander VII (lat. Alexander VII)

The tombstone of Pope Alexander VII (1599–1667) was made by Giovanni Bernini. The work was completed in 1678, when the master turned 80 years old. The Pope is depicted standing on a pedestal in prayer. At his feet are 4 thoughtful female figures, they symbolize Justice, Prudence, Mercy and Truth.

The figures seem to hold the edges of a red canopy, from under which Death bursts out - a skeleton showing an hourglass. The composition is full of dynamism and dramatic tension.

The depiction of death seems strange and creepy, but in those days it was often done on tombstones. It is known that Pope Alexander VII himself kept a skull on his desk and a coffin in his bedroom. It reminded him of the transience of life.

Chapel of the Epiphany (Baptistery)

A baptistery or baptistery was a place for baptism in early Christianity, with a font or small pond. In this case, it is the font by Carlo Fontana (1695), made of red Egyptian porphyry. It is made from a sarcophagus that was once the tomb of Emperor Otto.

The lid of the font is made of gilded bronze and is decorated with figures of angels. Above the font there is a mosaic copy of the painting “The Baptism of Jesus Christ”.

Tomb of St. Peter (Ciborium)

The cathedral in the central part has the towering tomb of St. Peter, covered with a huge bronze canopy - the ciborium. The tradition of placing ciboria on graves comes from Ancient Rome, where they were placed to protect tombstones from bad weather. The height of the ciborium is more than 28 m, the massive canopy rests on 4 twisted bronze pillars.

The original design of the ciborium belonged to Carlo Maderna, but the architect did not have time to bring the plan to life. The creation of the ciborium from 1624 to 1631. Giovanni Bernini studied for a year. For work, we used special foundries near St. Square. Petra. The canopy was opened and consecrated on June 28, 1633.

The 20-meter columns are decorated with grapevines, bees and cherubs. Above each of the columns there is a figure of an angel measuring more than 3 m.

Catholics have always believed that the grave of St. Petra is located under the Cathedral, but for a long time its location was not precisely established. Only in the 20th century. During excavations under the cathedral building, ancient burials were discovered, many of which date back to the pre-Christian period.

Near one of them they found the inscription “Peter is here.” The Catholic Church officially recognized the grave in 1968, although the discovery is disputed by many historians.

Statue of Saint Peter

In the final arch of the central nave there is a bronze statue of St. Peter, who sits on the throne and blesses the believers, in his left hand he holds the keys to heaven. Behind the apostle's back is a mosaic that looks very much like fabric.

There is a legend that the statue fulfills the wishes of believers if you touch the apostle’s foot. Therefore, the feet of St. Petra are polished to a shine by the palms of pilgrims. Every year on June 29, on the day of memory of the Apostle Peter, the statue is dressed in priestly vestments, and it seems that a living person is sitting on the throne.

Excursions

The most popular excursion is a visit to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, after which tourists are shown the Cathedral. It costs 35–40 euros. On certain days there are excursions in Russian, but it is better to check this on the Vatican website.

You can also visit St. Peter's Cathedral with a guide separately - such excursions cost 15–20 euros, they are conducted by various travel agencies and individual guides. Excursions give you the opportunity to visit the Cathedral without waiting in line.

Tickets and opening hours

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome is open from April to September from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. From October to March it closes at 6:30 p.m. The ascent to the dome is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. in summer and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in winter. On Wednesdays the Cathedral is closed until 1 pm, at which time papal receptions are held.

Visiting the Cathedral is free.

If you visit the Vatican Museums first, you can get into the Cathedral without waiting in line. It is better to purchase a ticket to museums in advance via the Internet. The entrance to climb the dome is located to the right of the entrance to the Cathedral, indicated by the inscription la Cupola.

Visiting rules

You cannot bring piercing or cutting objects, large bags or backpacks into the Cathedral. As in most Catholic churches, visitors must have their elbows and knees covered. You cannot come in short skirts, shorts, T-shirts, or sleeveless dresses. Men must attend the Cathedral without a headdress.

There are several known facts that are of interest to tourists:

How to get there

You can get to St. Peter's Square on foot from the Ottaviano metro station (line A), walking straight along Ottaviano Street for about 10 minutes. The Vatican Museums ticket office can be reached from the same metro or from Cipro station - about 5 minutes.

Buses take Via di Porta Cavaligieri even closer to the Cathedral Square. Routes 34, 46, 64, 98, 881, 916 go here. The most beautiful route is to walk along Via Dela Concillazione from the Tiber River. Buses 23, 34, 40, 982 go here.

Best time to visit

What time of year is best to visit St. Peter's Basilica depends on personal preference. In the summer, a lot of tourists come to Rome and the weather is hot. There are fewer visitors in winter, but it often rains at this time. Therefore, you can choose spring or autumn to visit. Experienced tourists recommend Tuesday or Thursday as days of the week.

On Wednesday the square can be crowded, but on this day you can see the Pope. On Sunday there are few people, but the Vatican Museums are closed. The best time to visit is the morning, when there are still few tourists, and the rising sun illuminates the Cathedral from the side of the square.

Article format: Lozinsky Oleg

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St. Peter's Square was built in 1656-1667. architect Bernini; its oval part is framed by colonnades arranged in semicircles in four rows of two hundred and eighty-four columns and eighty-eight travertine supports. In the center is an Egyptian obelisk that previously stood at Nero's hippodrome, where the Apostle Peter suffered martyrdom. By order of Pope Sixtus V in 1586, the pillar weighing 322 tons was moved to St. Peter's Square.

There are two fountains on the square. One is the work of Alberto da Piacenza in an early version, it was rebuilt in 1516 by Carlo Maderna, the second fountain was created by Bernini based on the model of the first, so as not to disturb the harmony of the square, with the only change: the bowl of the fountain was expanded and lowered.

The dominant feature of the square is St. Peter's Cathedral. It is the largest Christian cathedral and the center of the Roman Catholic Church. The cathedral's capacity is about 60 thousand people. The height of the dome is 136 meters, the length of the central nave is 211 meters. On the facade of the cathedral there are statues of Christ, John the Baptist, and 11 Apostles.

The square of St. Peter's Basilica is marked in such a way that the border of the Vatican State is marked beyond the outer side of the colonnade.