 It is the greatest church in the world and is
dominated by the imposing Michelangelo's dome. It was built in 324 A.D.
by Constantine. The works which give the present shape to the basilica
began in 1506 thanks to the Bramante's plan. Placed in the Vatican State
(that is an independent State) it dominates St.Peter's Square which is a
Bernini's masterpiece. This basilica is the spiritual centre of the
Christendom and for its realization many great artists like Bramante,
Raffaello, G. from Sangallo, Peruzzi, A. from Sangallo masterly worked.
In 1547 Michelangelo joined those artists realizing the apse part and
the dome which represents the greatest masonry work never built. Later
on, Maderno erected the basilica's façade and, by order of the Pope,
changed the Greek cross plan of the church into the current Latin cross.
Preceded by an enormous perron, the basilica's façade is characterized
by emergent columns between which some windows take place. The largest
window, that is the central one, is the blessings loggia. The atrium,
realized by Maderno, is decorated with stuccoes and mosaics: among these,
Giotto's mosaic "La Navicella" is particularly appealing. Five bronze
doors introduce to the basilica; one of these, that is to say "The
Saint Door", is open only on the jubilees occasion. The church is
imposing and and grandiose: in its middle, under the luminous dome,
adorned by mosaics, over the papal altar, you can admire the Bernini's
bronze canopy. On its right you can see St. Peter's bronze statue,
sculptured by A. di Cambio, having its right foot warn out by the
faithful's kisses. In the right aisle there is "La Pietà",the famous
Michelangelo's marble complex. In the Apse you can admire the splendid
"St. Peter's Chair", a bronze work by Bernini. If you want, you can
visit the basilica's dome from where you can enjoy an exceptional view
of Rome. |
