{"id":666947,"date":"2022-02-13T12:15:00","date_gmt":"2022-02-13T09:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/?p=666947"},"modified":"2022-01-31T10:33:42","modified_gmt":"2022-01-31T07:33:42","slug":"st-peters-basilica-in-rome-history-photo-description-how-to-get-there-map","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourism.com.de\/en\/st-peters-basilica-in-rome-history-photo-description-how-to-get-there-map\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome – history, photo, description, how to get there, map"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Church of St. Peter in Rome<\/a> is conside<\/a>red the largest church in the world<\/a>, which has sacred significance for Christianity. The luxurious design<\/a> of the decoration of the cathedral<\/a> personifies a tribute to the Apostle Peter, whose ashes rest<\/a> in the temple<\/a>. The cathedral consists of numerous chapels decorated with sculptural compositions and religious relics.<\/p>\n

Construction history<\/a><\/h2>\n

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In the 1st century AD, Nero was the emperor of the Roman state. His reign was marked by a high growth of the economy and the welfare of citizens, as well as the manifestation of a cruel temper. In Rome<\/a>, new residential area<\/a>s of the plebeians, luxurious palaces for aristocrats, baths and circuses were erected. Only a piece of land on a high hill on the other side of the Tiber remained untouched. The place was used for executions of people convicted under the laws of ancient Rome.<\/p>\n

In 64, a devastating fire engulfed Rome. Nero blamed this on the Christians, whom he subjected to terrible persecution. At this time, the capital of the great empire is visit<\/a>ed by a certain wanderer from the Judean province, who bore the name Simon. He was a disciple of Jesus, from whom he received the nickname “stone” (in Greek – petros). They began to call him Peter. A follower of Christ was accused of preaching a new faith, for which the Roman authorities sentenced the apostle to be crucified upside down. They executed the convict on the top of the hill, where they buried the body in the ground. Subsequently, Christians erected a memorial wall at the burial site.<\/p>\n

In the 4th century Emperor Constantine legalizes Christianity. A small basilica was built over the tomb of Peter. In 1500, the temple of Constantine was demolished due to the dilapidation of the walls. Pope Julius II undertook the construction of a new basilica. Donato Bramante was appointed architect. According to his project, it was supposed to erect a grandiose building topped with a massive dome. The untimely death of the architect stopped construction. Subsequent architects could not finally determine the appearance of the cathedral.<\/p>\n

In 1546, the construction of the basilica was headed by Michelangelo, who wanted to embody Bramante's idea. The temple should be presented in the form of a Greek equilateral cross. The entire construction of the cathedral from the foot to the top of the dome should rest<\/a> on a high drum, which is surrounded by slender columns. The coming Baroque era left its mark on the architecture of the temple. A wide space was needed, capable of accommodating a large congregation of believers. It was decided to lengthen the nave of the basilica and add several chapels. In 1626, Pope Urban VIII solemnly consecrated St. Peter's Cathedral.<\/p>\n

Description<\/a> and architecture<\/h2>\n

An elliptical square, bordered by graceful sixteen-meter columns, leads to St. Peter's Cathedral. In its central part<\/a> rises an obelisk, the height of which is 240 meters. The grandiose dimensions of the temple are also impressive. Its length is 211 meters, and the height of the dome is 136 meters. The cathedral can accommodate 60 thousa<\/a>nd people. The central element of the structure of the church is a dome with a cross on top. This massive work of architectural art is considered a symbol of the Vatican<\/a>. The dome with sixteen ribs rests on a massive drum adorned with Corinthian columns. There are sixteen windows in the hemisphere.<\/p>\n

The facade of the cathedral, built in the 17th century by the architect Karl Moderna, is decorated with pilasters and consists of two tiers with an attic. In the lower part there are five bronze gates, the panels of which are decorated with images of Old Testament scenes. Each portal has its own name: the Gates of Good and Evil, Death, Sacraments, Filaret and the Holy Gates. Above them, nine windows are visible, three of which have balconies. Attic is bordered by a balustrade and crowned with huge five-meter statues of Christ and the apostles. On the sides of the facade are sculptures of Saints Peter and Paul. Peter holds in his hands the keys to the Kingdom in Heaven<\/a>, given to him by the Lord. The Apostle Paul holds a naked sword in his hands.<\/p>\n

Interior<\/h2>\n

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The halls of the cathedral amaze with their rich decoration and huge size. The walls and ceilings are decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures. Twenty-three-meter arched vaults lead to numerous chapels and precious church relics. The cathedral is the burial place of the Popes, whose tombs are located<\/a> along the naves. One of the masterpieces, located in St. Peter's Basilica, is the sculptural work of Michelangelo – Pieta. The master depicted the Virgin Mary crying over the body of Christ. A woman is holding Jesus on her knees. The artist emphasized the inextricable unity of mother and son. The sculptor carved figures from a single marble block. The sculpture is protected by bulletproof glass.<\/p>\n

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In the niches of the huge pilasters under the dome, there are statue<\/a>s reminiscent of the torment of Christ. There you can see Saint Longinus holding the spear with which he pierced the chest of Jesus. Nearby Saint Veronica shows a handkerchief depicting the face of Christ. Nearby rises St. Helena with a massive cross. The inner surface of the dome is decorated with images of the apostles with their symbols: Mark with a lion, John with an eagle, Matthew with an angel, Luke with an ox.<\/p>\n

On the frieze, a gilded phrase in Latin reads about the parting words of Christ to his disciple Peter. The bronze statue of St. Peter, sea<\/a>ted on a throne, is a highly revered sculpture for paris<\/a>hioners. The apostle holds a key in his left hand, and his right hand is raised in a gesture of blessing. Peter's foot is slightly pushed forward beyond the base of the pedestal so that passing believers can kiss it.<\/p>\n

The cathedral houses the magnificent mausoleums of the sculptor Bern<\/a>ini, which are framed by columns and relief ornaments. One of the tombstones is dedicated to Pope Urban VIII, whose sculpture is presented with his right hand raised up. The master created the second tomb for Pope Alexander VII. His sculptural image prays surrounded by allegorical statues<\/a> of young maidens, symbolizing truth, justice, mercy and prudence. The colorful altar of the Transfiguration of Christ makes an indelible impression. It consists of a magnificent panel, based on the famous work of Rafael Santi. The painting depicts Jesus rising up, surrounded by his disciples.<\/p>\n

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In the depths of the apse of the temple there is a giant vault built for valuable relics. Here you can see<\/a> a complex sculptural composition. It is a wooden pulpit, over which an old chair literally hovers. According to legend, the apostle Peter sat on it during his sermon. The throne is surrounded by statues of theologians – teachers of the Latin and Greek churches. A dove of the Holy Spirit is seen above the pulpit, surrounded by angels against the backdrop of clouds and sunbeams.<\/p>\n

The relics of Pope Leo I the Great lie in one of the chapels of the cathedral. A relief image of white marble rises above the shrine. The panel describes the legendary scene of how Pope Leo, going out to meet the Hun army, with only a cross in his hands, turned the barbari<\/a>ans into a stampede. The chapel of St. Sebastian deserves special attention. Here is a picture framed by marble pilasters. The panel was made according to the sketches of the famous painter Dominichino. The work describes the martyrdom of the Roman legionnaire Sebastian, who was accused of practicing Christianity.<\/p>\n

Confessional (tomb) of St. Peter<\/h2>\n

The main value of the cathedral is the tomb of the great martyr Peter. In the center<\/a> of the temple rises an altar with inextinguishable lamps. Below it is the tomb of the apostle, to which two semicircular marble stairs lead. They descend to the level of the ancient Constantinian Basilica, which previously stood on this site. In 1939, archaeological excavations began here, initiated by Pope Pius XII. During the resea<\/a>rch, a necropolis was discovered, in which the remains of the body of the Apostle Peter were found. Now they are stored in the tomb, called the “Confessional of St. Peter.” The altar is decorated with a canopy made by the sculptor Bernini in 1624. It is installed on four bronze twisted columns, the height of which is 29 meters. At the top of the building are sculptures of angels.<\/p>\n

Where is it located and how to<\/a> get there<\/a><\/h2>\n

Peter's Cathedral is located on the square of the same name in the Vatican. It can be reached by metro (station Ottaviano). A few meters from the square there is a bus<\/a> and tram stop.<\/p>\n

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome on the map<\/a><\/h2>\n