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| St. Peter, Largest cathedral in the world |
"Whoever arrives in Saint Peter's Square feels immediately welcomed by a spiritual embrace symbolized by the two symmetrical colonnades of Bernini. His glance, however, is spontaneously drawn to the noble wall of travertine over which looms the cupola and on which are arranged eight columns of a single order, like eight giants, supporting in the central position the triangular pediment with the coat of arms of Pope Paul V, who presided over the conclusion of the work. Nor does the spiritual power unleashed by the figure of Christ the Redeemer at the center of the balustrade which crowns the edifice escape the observer. It gives rise to that marvelous vision of apostles, martyrs, confessors, and virgins which goes out from the side of Christ at the apex of the facade and unfolds in a great throng along the entire length of the two arms of the colonnade as though to recall and summarize the history and the mission of the Church, which is that of bearing witness to holiness of life, the Gospel message."
Taken from: The Address of the Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, on the occasion of the ceremony marking the conclusion of the work carried out on the facade of St. Peter's Basilica. 1987
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| Night view of st peters |
St. Peter's Basilica (Italian: San Pietro in Vaticano) is a major basilica in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome. St. Peter's was until recently the largest church ever built and it remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom.
St. Peter's Basilica stands on the traditional site where Peter - the apostle who is considered the first pope - was crucified and buried. St. Peter's tomb is under the main altar and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well. Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter's Basilica was rebuilt in the 16th century by Renaissance masters including Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini. Construction began under Pope Julius II in 1506 and was completed in 1615 under Pope Paul V. Donato Bramante was to be the first chief architect. Michelangelo, who served as main architect for a while, designed the dome, and Bernini designed the great St. Peter's Square.
Features:
St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), designed by Bernini and built between 1656 and 1667 ; fountains in the square, the south/left one by Carlo Maderno (1613) and the northern/right one by Bernini (1675).
In the center of the square is a 25.5-meter-tall obelisk (the cross on top and the base, the obelisk reaches 40m); a monumental colonnade by Bernini, its open arms symbolically welcoming the world into the Catholic Church; 140 statues of saints on top of the colonnade; St. Macrina, grandmother of the Cappadocian fathers to the right of the southern gate of the colonnade followed by some founders of religious orders: St. Dominic, St. Francis, St. Bernard, St. Benedict, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. John, colossal statue of Sts. Peter and Paul, the patron saints of Rome.
( St. Peter was sculpted by Giuseppe De Fabris in 1838-40 and stands 5.55m in height, on a pedestal 4.91m high. St. Paul was sculpted in 1838 by Adamo Tadolini, and is also 5.55m in height, on a pedestal 4.91m high.); and the dome of St. Peter's designed by Michelangelo, The great double dome is made of brick and is 42.3 metres in interior diameter rising to 120 metres above the floor) ; the central balcony called Loggia of the Blessings, and the relief under the balcony, by Buonvicino, representing Christ giving the keys to St. Peter.
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| St. John |
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| St. Louise |
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| St. Peter sculpted by Giuseppe De Fabris |
