St. Peter's Basilica is one of the greatest Christian churches in the world. This place is rightfully considered sacred, because the Vatican has many sacred relics and memorials.
About the Cathedral
Rome is one of the oldest cities in the world with a rich history and amazing architecture. Every year, tourists from all over the world come to the capital of Italy to see the sights of the city. One of the most famous places is St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.
The architecture of this building is striking at first sight: a huge spacious dome, columns and a high obelisk in the middle of the square ... All this looks majestic and impressive. A closed, sacred place for all Christians - the Vatican - opens the veil of secrecy, allowing you to be in one of the many parts of the temple.
Who is the architect of St. Peter's Basilica? He was not alone, they often changed, but this did not prevent the creation of a beautiful building, which is considered a world cultural heritage. The place where the Pope lives - the main face of the world Christian religion - will always remain one of the greatest and most popular among travelers. The sanctity and significance of this temple for humanity cannot be overestimated.
St. Peter's Basilica outside
The building that can be seen today was completely thought out by the architect of the Cathedral of St.
Petra - Michelangelo.
Sculptural groups on the facade of the temple - the greatest creation of the best masters of Italy. If you look closely, you can see that these tall statues depict Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and the apostles. The obelisk near the temple also has its own meaning. In another way it is called the “needle”, and it is believed that at its base lies the remains of Julius Caesar.
The colonnade that closes on both sides of the cathedral is also an important part of the architectural complex. It was erected by the design of one of the architects of St. Peter's Basilica - Bernini. At the top of the colonnade is a series of statues of one hundred and forty saints. Among them - a significant number of women. They all look at St. Peter's Square from the height of the colonnades.
In front of the entrance stands a statue of the Apostle Paul - a symbolic move of sculptors, drawing a parallel between the entrance to Paradise and the entrance to the Cathedral.
St. Peter's Basilica: history, description
The history of the construction is full of mysteries and secrets. Unfortunately, St. Peter's Basilica is a relatively new temple compared to other shrines in Europe. The one that exists today is significantly different from the cathedral that the great architects and sculptors worked on.
The temple hosted many historical events. The foundation of the temple and the first basilica were built during the reign of Emperor Constantine, and in 800 there was a coronation of the king of the Franks and Lombards, Charlemagne, who first united the French lands.
During its existence, the building structure burned several times and was restored again by architects. A lot of effort was made to restore St. Peter's Basilica. The holy places of Rome, to which believers make pilgrimages annually, almost all of them are here.
This place is especially important for the entire Christian world: here you can visit the room where the relics of the Apostle Peter are stored.
Michelangelo
The history of the temple is so great that it is difficult to answer the question: "What great architects were the main builders of St. Peter's Basilica?" This building was seen by various artists, sculptors and architects, but only a few did truly important things.
Many people made efforts to create a project like St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Michelangelo Buonarroti is the main architect of the temple, whose contribution to its construction was very significant. He was hired by one of the most influential families in Florence - the Medici. The architect of St. Peter’s Cathedral, who was earlier, planned to make a dome in the shape of an elongated cross. But thanks to the plan of Michelangelo, the dome of the cathedral has a spherical shape. As the chief architect of St. Peter's Basilica, the artist created murals and sculptures for the temple. Soon, one of the representatives of the Medici family was elected Pope. The newly elected Leo X appointed Michelangelo, now officially, the chief architect of the Cathedral.
An interesting fact is that the great sculptor and artist Buonarroti for a long time refused to work on the architecture of such a project as St. Peter's Basilica. Michelangelo, however, then nevertheless agreed and radically changed the idea of construction.
Sculpture and remains of the Apostle Peter
The statue of the Apostle Peter is the main attraction of the Cathedral. The sculpture seems both harsh and welcoming. In addition, she is considered a saint. There is a tradition: visiting the cathedral, you must definitely touch the feet of this figure. It is believed that after this the spirit of the Apostle Peter forgives a person all his sins. The heart of one who touches a foot must be pure, even if a person has done a lot of bad things. Every day there are so many people who want to touch the marble foot of the saint that museum keepers have to polish its surface from time to time.
However, another place is considered the most sacred. It is underground. This is the crypt where the relics of the saints are stored. The column with the remains of the Apostle Peter, in whose honor the Cathedral is named - the most important part of the entire temple museum. The chief architect of St. Peter's Basilica created a descent into the crypt. It resembles a staircase to the underworld, however, having gone down, everyone pays attention to the remains - the skeletons of saints. The crypt is quite dark, which creates a feeling of the other world.
Dome of the Cathedral
The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is one of the largest in Europe. It relies on four massive pillars, decorated with stucco and sculptures.
Loggias are located above the pillars, where relics were previously stored. Under each of the relics there is a corresponding statue of the saint.
The sculpture of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called is a man who holds a beam of wood and appeals to Heaven. On his face is an expression of torment and suffering.
Another statue is the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Queen Empress. She holds a huge cross - a symbol of Faith. Her second hand is directed towards the viewer, her face is calm and peaceful.
A completely different mood is conveyed by the sculpture of St. Veronica. In her pose - dynamics, movement. Saint Veronica holds in her hands the circuit boards which she gave to Jesus to wipe his face. She supposedly hands it, and in the expression on her face - determination and confidence. The fourth column is decorated with a statue of St. Longinus. The saint looks menacingly stern, in one of his hands is a spear. The other arm extends to the side. In his pose you can read the anger and thirst for justice.
Tombstone floor. The sculpture "Moses"
St. Peter's Basilica in Rome and its tombstones are the most spectacular in the whole church. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that in one of the halls of the Cathedral the floor is a series of tombstones.
When you step on it, you feel incredible excitement, a sense of holiness and connection with the Almighty.
Inside the temple there are many frescoes, mosaic paintings on floors, ceilings, walls ... Everywhere is surrounded by high art - images of biblical subjects.
The sculpture of Moses is one of the favorite places for tourists. This statue depicts the hero of the Old Testament, who led his people out of the desert and became a great savior for Christians. In the folds of his mantle, facial expression, tensed muscles of his hands, one feels excitement, responsibility for all of humanity. In his pose - readiness for the blows of fate, the desire to resist rock. The thick beard is molded so realistically that it feels like real hair. She gives Moses a harsh look that makes him even scared for a moment.
Sculptures of the Right Nave
The famous marble Pieta, created by Michelangelo, is a world masterpiece of art. The sculpture, as if alive, makes you imbued with a sense of grief, quiet grief over the dying Christ. The folds of fabric, the smooth face of the Virgin Mary - it all looks so realistic that it seems as if, having overcome many centuries, they suddenly appeared in the hall, and we just became involuntary spectators of the tragedy that happened. The eyelids of the Virgin Mary are omitted, she covered her eyes from grief. In the pose of Christ, striking helplessness. This sculpture - very strong psychologically and emotionally - was created over the years, and the slightest mistake could lead to the loss of form and the whole idea. However, the master Michelangelo created her so tender and sad that she looks really alive.
Not far from Pieta is the Tomb of Matilda Tuscan, decorated with a sculpture of a female warrior and several cupids at her feet. This work of art was made by sculptor Bernini.
The Sistine Chapel
One of the most famous frescoes of world art is the Sistine Chapel created by Michelangelo . The largest painting of that time adorned the largest cathedral in the world - St. Peter's Basilica. At that time, Pope was Julius II. He invited the young Michelangelo to do this work. He still did not have sufficient skills in painting, but agreed and started to work. Today, in order to study this mural in detail, it will take more than five hours. The variety of lines, folds of fabric in the figures and plots of the Bible captures and does not allow to look away. You can see Christ crucified on the cross, and scenes from the Old Testament ... For example, the creation of the World, the creation of Adam and Eve, the separation of water from land, the expulsion of people from Paradise, offering Noah’s sacrifice, the frightened Delphic sybil, the prophets ...
At the corners of the chapel are the oldest passages from the Bible: David and Goliath, the Brass Serpent, Judith and Holofernes, Punishment of Haman.
The chapel was restored several times, but did not lose its beauty and integrity of the composition.