| Albergo Ottocento - The Main Monuments in Rome: Basilica di San Pietro |
| 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.
Car: 3.4 km, 6 min Mix: 500 mt, 20 min Foot: 2.7 km, 35 min |
