Saint Peters Square Cathedral, Rome

Saint Peters Square Cathedral, Rome

St. Peter is one of the most famous churches in the world. The Church is very important for the Roman Catholic Church, including as a leading pilgrimage site. He stands in Vatican City, in Rome, and it is alleged that the Church was built above the tomb of the Apostle Peter. This place was, before the basilica was built, marked by a small church or chapel.

In 324 Constantine the great was the first person who ordered the construction of a Basilica. At that time, the Church consisted of five ships and an atrium with a Colonnade. Under Pope Nicholas V (1447 1455), plans were made for the construction of the Church. This was also needed because the first basilica was hit already fairly in decline.

After Pope Nicholas V died, the building has a time quiet situated. Beginning 16th century gave Julius II to overall command for which the architect Bramante made a reconstruction plan. This plan was to create a dome construction on a substructure in the form of a Greek cross. Is it really started In 1506 with the rebuilding.

When Bramante died, the leadership was taken over by Raphael, then by Baldassare Peruzzi, Antonio da Sangallo the younger and eventually stood the construction under the leadership of Michelangelo. To the last, we also have to thank the dome. Maderno built the head space of the Church, but also the side chapels and the façade of the church he built in 1614.

The Sint Pieter is inaugurated on 18 november 1626. The Church has a total surface of 15.160 m2 and a length of 211,50 m. height of the head space is spacious 46 m. the dome in the roof of the Church has a diameter of 42 m and a total height of 132,50 m.

The most important works of art in the Church are the Pietà by Michelangelo, a bronze statue of Peter and the bronze roof above the Pope altar. There is also a number of popes, buried in the Church such as Clement XIII, Urban VIII, Paul III and innocent VIII. Other works of art are the tombs of the Popes in the Grottoes, and the bronze doors of Antonio Filarete.

Saint Peters Square Cathedral, Rome