| St.
Peter's Basilica: |
St.
Peter's Basilica is said to be the greatest church in Christendom.
It is the largest basilica in the world - it measures 146
meters long and 46 meters tall. It is capped with Michelangelo's
majestic silver-blue dome, one of the last projects he worked
on before his death in 1564. This dome stands at 136 meters
high with a diameter of 42 meters. Many prominent works of
art are featured in St. Peter's Basilica:
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| View
of the Dome from Vatican Museum (right) and Interior of
Dome (left): |
| Michelangelo's
Dome was began when Michelangelo was 71 years old.
He worked on the dome for 18 years without remuneration
until his death in 1564 at the age of 89. At that time,
the raising and completion of the cupola had not been
completed. Pope Sixtus V called Giacomo della Porta to
complete the job. |
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| Michelangelo's
Pieta (left) and the Bronze Statue of St. Peter (right): |
| Michelangelo's
Pieta
was created when Michelangelo was 23 years old. He was
relatively unknown when he was commissioned to carve Mary
holding the body of Jesus in her arms. When it was unveiled
a proud Michelangelo stood by and watched as people admired
the beautiful Pieta. However, what was pride quickly turned
into anger as he overheard a group of people attributing
the work to other artists of his time. That anger caused
Michelangelo to add one last thing to his sculpture. Going
down the sash on the Virgin Mary, Michelangelo carved
his name. He later regretted that his emotions got the
best of him and vowed to never sign another one of his
works again. |
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Traditionally,
you rub St. Peter's foot for good luck. With centuries
of people rubbing his foot, his bronze toes have almost
completely worn away. |
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| Bernini's
Baldacchino (right) and Staircase to the Tomb of St. Peter
(left): |
Under
the grand dome lies Bernini's Baldacchino (canopy).
This supreme example of Baroque art was the first masterpiece
that the twenty-six year old genius, Gianlorenzo Bernini
made for St. Peter's Basilica. This brilliant project
was begun in 1624 and was completed after nine years
of intensive work. It is the largest known bronze artwork.
The bronze used for this canopy was taken from the Pantheon.
Right
in front of the Baldacchino is the staircase to the
Tomb of St. Peter. This is the heart and holiest
place in the basilica. Peter is here in a humble, simple
tomb over which the magnificent triumphal basilica was
built. Day and night, 99 oil lamps burn along the railing
that circles the shrine and along the two semicircular
ramps.
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| Bernini's
Papal Throne (right) and Monument to Pope Alexander VII
(left): |
The
Papal Throne is a brilliant creation by Bernini,
designed to display the chair on which, according to
ancient tradition, St. Peter sat and taught Roman Christians.
The
Monument to Pope Alexander VII is Bernini's last
masterpiece, done when the artist was 80 years old.
The pope is portrayed kneeling in prayer being interrupted
by the appearance of Death, a gigantic skeleton coming
out from under the funeral draping, brandishing an hourglass
to show that time has come. Death is shown with a covered
face because it comes to all men, without distinction,
even to Supreme Pontiff. |
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| Inside
the Basilica (left) and Raphael's The Transfiguration
(right): |
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| One
of the Smaller Domes (left) and Kristi and I touching
the Holy Water (left): |
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