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Saint Peter's Basilica

History

A short history of the Saint Peter's Basilica

The Basilica
The Constantinian basilica disappeared with time. Over 150 years passed from the decision of Nicholas V Parentucelli to enlarge and restore the ancient basilica to the completion...
Interior of the Basilica

The atrium (corresponding to the ancient portico of the early Christian basilicas) is considered one of the most remarkable works of Carlo Maderno and was built between 1608 and 1612...

Vatican Grottos
Positioned just below the Renaissance basilica and above Constantine’s 4th century basilica, the grottos contain chapels dedicated...
Saint Peter's Treasury

Historical Artistic Museum - Saint Peter's Treasury

Pre-Constantinian Necropolis
Excavations around 1940 brought to light various tombs from the 2nd century B.C., originally situated at the northern end of Nero’s Circus...
St. Peter's Square
Designed and built by Bernini between 1656 and 1667, during the pontificate of Alexander VII (1655-1667), the square is made up of two different areas...
The Façade

Designed by the architect Carlo Maderno, it was completed in 1614. It is 114.69 metres wide and 48 metres high, and has an order of Corinthian columns and pilasters...

The Dome
The dome was designed by Michelangelo, who worked on the construction of the basilica beginning in 1547. By the end of his long life (he died at 89 in 1564)...
Fabbrica di San Pietro

In 1523 Pope Clement VII appointed a permanent committee of 60 experts and charged them with responsibility for building and administering the basilica...

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