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St. Peter's Basilica.
| Saint Peter's Basilica | |
|---|---|
| Country | Vatican City |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Tradition | Roman Rite |
| Website | St. Peter's Basilica |
What are the secrets of Vatican?
Jul 08, 2019 · Original: Aug 4, 2015 The Vatican’s history as the seat of the Catholic Church began with the construction of a basilica over St. Peter’s grave in …
What is the history of Vatican Church?
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.3 billion baptised Catholics worldwide as of 2019. As the world's oldest and largest continuously functioning international institution, it has played a prominent role in the history and development of Western civilisation. The church consists of 24 particular churches and almost …
What's underneath the Vatican?
It was in this Basilica that, on Christmas Eve in the year 800, Charlemagne, king of the Franks, was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire; it was in this Basilica that until the beginning of the 1300s masses of pilgrims from all over Europe flocked to venerate the tomb of the “Prince of the Apostles”. With the abandonment of Rome during ...
What is the best way to see the Vatican?
Dec 06, 2017 · In 2012, the Vatican Secret Archives put on a public exhibition of some of its most important documents in celebration of its 400th birthday.
When was the Vatican church built?
Peter's Basilica, present basilica of St. Peter in Vatican City (an enclave in Rome), begun by Pope Julius II in 1506 and completed in 1615 under Paul V. It is designed as a three-aisled Latin cross with a dome at the crossing, directly above the high altar, which covers the shrine of St. Peter the Apostle.
What is the oldest part of the Vatican?
Peter's Basilica was the building that stood, from the 4th to 16th centuries, where the new St. Peter's Basilica stands today in Vatican City. Construction of the basilica, built over the historical site of the Circus of Nero, began during the reign of Emperor Constantine I.
How long did it take for the Vatican to be built?
Peter's Basilica. Bramante's designs were later taken over by Raphael (the Raphael) a few years later. That said, the current Basilica involved every famous name in Italian art from Michelangelo to father and son Modernos and Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It took 120 years to build the St.08-Apr-2021
What year did the Catholic Church start?
JudeaCatholic Church / Founded
What is buried under the Vatican?
Also known as the Vatican City Necropolis, The Tomb of the Dead, or St. Peter's Tomb, the Scavi is famous for being the final resting place of one of Jesus' 12 apostles, Peter.06-May-2021
Who built Vatican church?
Peter's Basilica, which was built in the 4th century by Roman emperor Constantine the Great. Construction of the present basilica began on 18 April 1506 and was completed on 18 November 1626. Designed principally by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, St.
Who owns the Vatican?
The Holy See is the universal government of the Catholic Church and operates from Vatican City State, a sovereign, independent territory. The Pope is the ruler of both Vatican City State and the Holy See.27-Aug-2020
How old is Catholicism?
The Roman Catholic Church The Catholic Church is the oldest institution in the western world. It can trace its history back almost 2000 years.29-Jun-2011
Does the Vatican have an army?
The Vatican City State has never had independent armed forces, but it has always had a de facto military provided by the armed forces of the Holy See: the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the Noble Guard, the Palatine Guard, and the Papal Gendarmerie Corps.
Where was Catholicism founded?
JudeaCatholic Church / FoundedAs a branch of Christianity, Roman Catholicism can be traced to the life and teachings of Jesus Christ in Roman-occupied Jewish Palestine about 30 CE.
Is there a difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic?
The main difference between Catholic and Roman Catholic is that Roman Catholics are a majority, whereas Catholics are a minority group. They differ in their Bible, denominations, the papacy, Beliefs on sacraments, tradition, and the significance of the virgin Mary. The Catholics are also called the 'Greek Orthodox'.
Where did Catholicism come from?
Holy LandJudeaCatholic Church/Place founded
When was Vatican City founded?
The name Vatican City was first used in the Lateran Treaty, signed on 11 February 1929, which established the modern city-state named after Vatican Hill, the geographic location of the state. "Vatican" is derived from the name of an Etruscan settlement, Vatica or Vaticum located in the general area the Romans called Ager Vaticanus, "Vatican territory".
When did the Vatican become independent?
The independent state of Vatican City, on the other hand, came into existence on 11 February 1929 by the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy, which spoke of it as a new creation, not as a vestige of the much larger Papal States (756–1870), which had previously encompassed much of central Italy.
What is the Vatican's political system?
The politics of Vatican City takes place in an absolute elective monarchy, in which the head of the Catholic Church takes power. The pope exercises principal legislative, executive, and judicial power over the State of Vatican City (an entity distinct from the Holy See), which is a rare case of a non-hereditary monarchy.
What are the causes of mists and dews in the Vatican?
Some minor local features, principally mists and dews, are caused by the anomalous bulk of St Peter's Basilica, the elevation, the fountains, and the size of the large paved square. Climate data for Vatican City (data of Aeroporto Roma-Ciampino "Giovan Battista Pastine") Month. Jan.
Why was the Bishop of Rome so sensitive?
One of the main diplomatic priorities of the bishop of Rome was to prevent the bombing of the city; so sensitive was the pontiff that he protested even the British air dropping of pamphlets over Rome, claiming that the few landing within the city-state violated the Vatican's neutrality.
How many acres are there in the Vatican Gardens?
The gardens, established during the Renaissance and Baroque era, are decorated with fountains and sculptures. The gardens cover approximately 23 hectares (57 acres).
What is the economy of the Vatican?
They feature some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures. The unique economy of Vatican City is supported financially by donations from the faithful, by the sale of postage stamps and souvenirs, fees for admission to museums, and sales of publications.
What is the name of the church in Rome?
Old St. Peter's Basilica was the 4th-century church begun by the Emperor Constantine the Great between 319 and 333 AD. It was of typical basilical form, a wide nave and two aisles on each side and an apsidal end, with the addition of a transept or bema, giving the building the shape of a tau cross. It was over 103.6 metres (340 ft) long, and the entrance was preceded by a large colonnaded atrium. This church had been built over the small shrine believed to mark the burial place of St. Peter, though the tomb was "smashed" in 846 AD. It contained a very large number of burials and memorials, including those of most of the popes from St. Peter to the 15th century. Like all of the earliest churches in Rome, both this church and its successor had the entrance to the east and the apse at the west end of the building. Since the construction of the current basilica, the name Old St. Peter's Basilica has been used for its predecessor to distinguish the two buildings.
What is the name of the church in Rome that was designed by Giacomo della Porta?
Within Rome, the huge domed church of Sant'Andrea della Valle was designed by Giacomo della Porta before the completion of St Peter's Basilica, and subsequently worked on by Carlo Maderno. This was followed by the domes of San Carlo ai Catinari, Sant'Agnese in Agone, and many others. Christopher Wren 's dome at St Paul's Cathedral ( London, England ), the domes of Karlskirche ( Vienna, Austria ), St. Nicholas Church ( Prague, Czech Republic ), and the Pantheon ( Paris, France) all pay homage to St Peter's Basilica.
Why is St Peter's Basilica important?
One observer wrote: "St Peter's Basilica is the reason why Rome is still the centre of the civilized world. For religious, historical, and architectural reasons it by itself justifies a journey to Rome, and its interior offers a palimpsest of artistic styles at their best ...".
Where is the red chalk drawing of the basilica?
The drawing shows a small precisely drafted section of the plan of the entablature above two of the radial columns of the cupola drum. Michelangelo is known to have destroyed thousands of his drawings before his death. The rare survival of this example is probably due to its fragmentary state and the fact that detailed mathematical calculations had been made over the top of the drawing.
Where are the Popes buried?
For this reason, many Popes have, from the early years of the Church, been buried near Pope St. Peter in the necropolis beneath the Basilica. Construction of the current basilica, over the old Constantinian basilica, began on 18 April 1506 and finished in 1615.
Who designed the first chapel in Rome?
The first chapel in the south aisle is the baptistry, commissioned by Pope Innocent XII and designed by Carlo Fontana, (great nephew of Domenico Fontana). The font was carved from the lid of the purple porphyry sarcophagus which had once held the remains of the Emperor Hadrian, and is surmounted with a gilt-bronze figure of the " Lamb of God ". Fontana's reworked porphyry sarcophagus lid font replaced an earlier font, which was re-purposed from the sarcophagus of Probus, the 4th-century Prefect of Rome, and which was used for baptisms from the 15th century until the late 17th century, when Fontana's work was completed.
Who was the first pope to rebuild the Colosseum?
It appears that the first pope to consider rebuilding or at least making radical changes was Pope Nicholas V (1447–55). He commissioned work on the old building from Leone Battista Alberti and Bernardo Rossellino and also had Rossellino design a plan for an entirely new basilica, or an extreme modification of the old. His reign was frustrated by political problems and when he died, little had been achieved. He had, however, ordered the demolition of the Colosseum and by the time of his death, 2,522 cartloads of stone had been transported for use in the new building. The foundations were completed for a new transept and choir to form a domed Latin cross with the preserved nave and side aisles of the old basilica. Some walls for the choir had also been built.
How many windows are there in the church?
The nave ended with an arch, which held a mosaic of Constantine and Saint Peter, who presented a model of the church to Christ. On the walls, each having 11 windows, were frescoes of various people and scenes from both the Old and New Testament.
What is the design of the Basilica of Trajan?
The design was a typical basilica form with the plan and elevation resembling those of Roman basilicas and audience halls , such as the Basilica Ulpia in Trajan's Forum and Constantine's own Aula Palatina at Trier, rather than the design of any Greco-Roman temple. The design may have been derived from the description of Solomon's Temple in 1 Kings 6.
How many frescoes did Giotto paint?
According to combined statements by Ghiberti and Vasari, Giotto painted five frescoes of the life of Christ and various other panels, some of which Vasari said were "either destroyed or carried away from the old structure of St. Peter's during the building of the new walls.".
What were the holy places outside the Aurelian walls?
Some holy—and impressive—basilicas, such as St. Peter's Basilica, were outside the Aurelian walls, and thus easy targets. They were "filled to overflowing with rich liturgical vessels and with jeweled reliquaries housing all of the relics recently amassed".
Where is the Mosaic of the Adoration of the Magi?
Mosaic of the Adoration of the Magi, today in Santa Maria in Cosmedin. Mater misericordiae, today in San Marco in Florence. Mosaic, today in the Museo Barracco. Two pairs of the original Solomonic columns now support curved pediments to form trompe-l'œil porticoes on the piers of St. Peter's. Solomonic Column.
Where is the Epiphany mosaic?
Peter's Basilica. The precious fragment is kept in the sacristy of Santa Maria in Cosmedin. It proves the high artistic quality of the destroyed mosaics.
Where did Constantine take the columns?
According to tradition, Constantine took these columns from the Temple of Solomon and gave them to the church; however, the columns were probably from an Eastern church. When Gian Lorenzo Bernini built his baldacchino to cover the new St. Peter's altar, he drew from the twisted design of the old columns.
When did the Catholic Church start?
According to The Moody Handbook of Theology, the official beginning of the Roman Catholic church occurred in 590 CE , with Pope Gregory I. This time marked the consolidated of lands controlled by authority of the pope, and thus the church's power, into what would later be known as " the Papal States .".
Who established the Roman Catholic Church?
Roman Catholicism itself maintains that the Roman Catholic Church was established by Christ when he gave direction to the Apostle Peter as the head of the church. This belief is based on Matthew 16:18, when Jesus Christ said to Peter: "And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates ...
What was the dominant group of Christianity after the fall of Jerusalem?
In addition to Gnostic, Jewish, and Pauline Christianity, many other versions of Christianity were starting to be taught. After the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the Jewish Christian movement was scattered. Pauline and Gnostic Christianity were left as the dominant groups.
Which religion was the dominant religion in the Roman Empire?
Pauline and Gnostic Christianity were left as the dominant groups. The Roman Empire legally recognized Pauline Christianity as a valid religion in 313 AD. Later in that century, in 380 AD, Roman Catholicism became the official religion of the Roman Empire.
What was Paul's ministry called?
Adopting the name Paul, he became the greatest evangelist of the early Christian church. Paul's ministry, also called Pauline Christianity, was directed mainly to Gentiles. In subtle ways, the early church was already becoming divided.
What was the purpose of the Council of Chalcedon?
The Council attempted to structure church leadership around a model similar to that of the Roman system, and also formalized key articles of faith. 551 CE: At the Council of Chalcedon, the head of the church in Constantinople was declared to be the head of the Eastern branch of the church, equal in authority to the Pope.
How many followers does the Catholic Church have?
The Roman Catholic church based in the Vatican and led by the Pope, is the largest of all branches of Christianity, with about 1.3 billion followers worldwide. Roughly one in two Christians are Roman Catholics, and one out of every seven people worldwide.
What was the second Vatican Council?
The Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) introduced the most significant changes to Catholic practices since the Council of Trent, four centuries before. Initiated by Pope John XXIII, this ecumenical council modernised the practices of the Catholic Church, allowing the Mass to be said in the vernacular (local language) and encouraging "fully conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations". It intended to engage the Church more closely with the present world ( aggiornamento ), which was described by its advocates as an "opening of the windows". In addition to changes in the liturgy, it led to changes to the church's approach to ecumenism, and a call to improved relations with non-Christian religions, especially Judaism, in its document Nostra aetate.
What is the Catholic Church?
The Catholic Church teaches that it is the " one true church " , "the universal sacrament of salvation for the human race", and "the one true religion". According to the Catechism, the Catholic Church is further described in the Nicene Creed as the "one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church". These are collectively known as the Four Marks of the Church. The church teaches that its founder is Jesus Christ. The New Testament records several events considered integral to the establishment of the Catholic Church, including Jesus' activities and teaching and his appointment of the apostles as witnesses to his ministry, suffering, and resurrection. The Great Commission, after his resurrection, instructed the apostles to continue his work. The coming of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, in an event known as Pentecost, is seen as the beginning of the public ministry of the Catholic Church. The church teaches that all duly consecrated bishops have a lineal succession from the apostles of Christ, known as apostolic succession. In particular, the Bishop of Rome (the pope) is considered the successor to the apostle Simon Peter, a position from which he derives his supremacy over the church.
What is a saint?
A saint (also historically known as a hallow) is a person who is recognised as having an exceptional degree of holiness or likeness or closeness to God , while canonisation is the act by which a Christian church declares that a person who has died was a saint, upon which declaration the person is included in the "canon", or list, of recognised saints. The first persons honoured as saints were the martyrs. Pious legends of their deaths were considered affirmations of the truth of their faith in Christ. By the fourth century, however, " confessors "—people who had confessed their faith not by dying but by word and life—began to be venerated publicly .
What does the Catholic Church teach about the end of human history?
The Catholic Church teaches that, immediately after death, the soul of each person will receive a particular judgement from God, based on their sins and their relationship to Christ. This teaching also attests to another day when Christ will sit in universal judgement of all mankind. This final judgement, according to the church's teaching, will bring an end to human history and mark the beginning of both a new and better heaven and earth ruled by God in righteousness.
What is the Holy Trinity?
The Catholic Church holds that there is one eternal God, who exists as a perichoresis ("mutual indwelling") of three hypostases, or "persons": God the Father; God the Son; and God the Holy Spirit, which together are called the " Holy Trinity ".
What is Catholic doctrine?
Catholic doctrine has developed over the centuries, reflecting direct teachings of early Christians, formal definitions of heretical and orthodox beliefs by ecumenical councils and in papal bulls, and theological debate by scholars. The church believes that it is continually guided by the Holy Spirit as it discerns new theological issues and is protected infallibly from falling into doctrinal error when a firm decision on an issue is reached.
What was the Catholic Church's influence on the Renaissance?
The Catholic Church was the dominant influence on Western civilisation from Late Antiquity to the dawn of the modern age. It was the primary sponsor of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Mannerist and Baroque styles in art, architecture and music. Renaissance figures such as Raphael, Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Botticelli, Fra Angelico, Tintoretto, Titian, Bernini and Caravaggio are examples of the numerous visual artists sponsored by the church. Historian Paul Legutko of Stanford University said the Catholic Church is "at the center of the development of the values, ideas, science, laws, and institutions which constitute what we call Western civilisation ".
Who built the Basilica of Milan?
Following the proclamation by the emperor Constantine of the Edict of Milan (313 AD), the Christians had the faculty to build their buildings of worship: it was Constantine who started the construction of the Basilica in 324 which was to incorporate the ” Trophy of Gaius “and make the tomb of Peter the fulcrum of the structure.
When did the Council of Trent recommend the use of longitudinal structures in churches?
The dilemma of the choice between central and longitudinal plan was not yet definitively resolved. The Council of Trent, which ended in 1563, recommended the use of the longitudinal structure in churches.
How old are Vatican archives?
But documents at the Vatican’s Secret Archives are only released once they’re at least 75 years old—and the archive’s true owner is not the Church, but the Pope.
When will the Vatican open its archives?
And in 2019, Pope Francis announced that the Vatican will open its archives on Pius XII. During an event commemorating the 80th anniversary of Pius XII’s election to the papacy, Francis said he had given orders for the archive to be opened in March 2020. “The Church is not afraid of history,” he told the group.
Why did the Vatican allow journalists to tour the Vatican?
In 2010, in response to increased public interest in the Secret Archives and myths perpetuated by Dan Brown’s bestselling book Angels and Demons, the Vatican allowed journalists to tour it for the first time.
What was the Pope's response to Martin Luther's excommunication?
In response, Pope Leo X wrote “Decet Romanum Pontificem,” a Papal bull that kicked Luther out of the Catholic Church. This freed Luther to start a church of his own, and the schism has defined much of world history since. The document of excommunication of Martin Luther in an exhibition of the Vatican Secret Archives.
What is the Holy See's archive?
The archives were—and still are—designed to house the Holy See’s official paperwork along with correspondence and other information related to the Pope. They also contain some of the Catholic Church’s most impressive treasures—documents that date back from the eighth century.
Where are the Vatican archives stored?
These and other historical documents are stored near the Vatican Library in Rome. Like any archive, there are stacks and reading rooms. There’s also a bunker —a fireproof underground structure designed to protect fragile documents from the elements and fire. There’s even a school for clergy who study history.
Who was the Pope who opened the trove of documents?
That’s when Pope Leo XIII, known as an intellectual who confronted the modernization of the late 19th century, opened the trove to researchers. These fascinating documents tell not just the story of the Church, but the rest of the world.
What is the Old Catholic Church?
Let’s look at the second one first. The “Old Catholic Church” refers to a breakaway group of Catholics who rejected elements of the First Vatican Council, held in 1869-1870.
How long have people left the Catholic Church?
Countless people have left the Catholic Church over the nearly 2000 years of its existence, and in many cases their splinter-groups have disappeared completely over the course of time. These breakaway groups tend to die out when the priests who broke away with them eventually pass away.
Who had the sacramental power to consecrate these men?
Despite St. John Paul II’s objections, Archbishop Lefebvre had the sacramental power to validly consecrate these men, and so they really are Catholic bishops—but their consecrations were illicit, and they still are not in full communion with Rome today.
Is Catholic a trademark?
Part II ,” and “ Canon Law and ‘Catholic’ Organizations ,” the term “Catholic” is not a licensed trademark, and so the Catholic Church can’t forcibly prevent non-Catholic entities from describing themselves in this way. The groups mentioned in the two questions above are clear examples of this. Let’s look at the second one first.
Can a Catholic institution use the word "Catholic" in their title?
With regard to institutions in general, they are not supposed to use the word “Catholic” in their title unless they first have obtained permission from competent ecclesiastical authority ( c. 216 ).
Why is the Utrecht hierarchy called the Old Catholic Church?
Thereafter in the Netherlands the Utrecht hierarchy was referred to as the "Old Catholic Church" to distinguish it from those in union with the pope. According to Roman Catholic Church interpretation, the Old Catholic Church of Utrecht maintained apostolic succession and its clergy celebrated valid sacraments.
When was the Catholic Church of Slovakia accepted?
The Old Catholic Church of Slovakia was accepted in 2000 as a member of the Union of Utrecht. As early as 2001 some issues arose concerning future consecration of Augustin Bacinsky as old-catholic bishop of Slovakia, and the matter was postponed. Old Catholic Church of Slovakia was expelled from the Union of Utrecht in 2004, because the episcopal administrator Augustin Bacinsky had been consecrated by an episcopus vagans.
How many priests were there in 1629?
In 1629, the priests were 321, 250 secular and 71 religious, with Jesuits at 34 forming almost half of the religious. By the middle of the 17th century the secular priests were 442, the religious 142, of whom 62 were Jesuits. The fifth apostolic vicar of the Dutch Mission, Petrus Codde, was appointed in 1688.
What is apostolic succession?
Old Catholicism values apostolic succession by which they mean both the uninterrupted laying on of hands by bishops through time and the continuation of the whole life of the church community by word and sacrament over the years and ages. Old Catholics consider apostolic succession to be the handing on of belief in which the whole Church is involved. In this process the ministry has a special responsibility and task, caring for the continuation in time of the mission of Jesus Christ and his Apostles.
What happened during the Protestant Reformation?
During the Protestant Reformation, the Roman Catholic Church was persecuted and the Holy See appointed an apostolic vicar to govern the bishop-less dioceses north of the Rhine and Waal. Protestants occupied most church buildings, and those remaining were confiscated by the government of the Dutch Republic, which favoured the Dutch Reformed Church.
What is the Catholic Church's belief in the Eucharist?
Beliefs. Old Catholic theology views the Eucharist as the core of the Christian Church. From that point the church is a community of believers. All are in communion with one another around the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, as the highest expression of the love of God.
Which country was separated from the Catholic Church in 1879?
Nuremberg, Kingdom of Bavaria. Separated from. Catholic Church (1879) The term Old Catholic Church is used from the 1850s by communions which had separated from the Roman Catholic Church over certain doctrines, primarily concerned with papal authority; some of these groups, especially in the Netherlands, had already existed long before the term.
Overview
Vatican City , officially the Vatican City State (Italian: Stato della Città del Vaticano; Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae), is an independent city-state and enclave surrounded by Rome, Italy. The Vatican City State, also known simply as the Vatican, became independent from Italy with the Lateran Treaty (1929), and it is a distinct territoryunder "full ownership, exclusive dominion, and sovereign a…
Name
The name Vatican City was first used in the Lateran Treaty, signed on 11 February 1929, which established the modern city-state named after Vatican Hill, the geographic location of the state. "Vatican" is derived from the name of an Etruscan settlement, Vatica or Vaticum located in the general area the Romans called Ager Vaticanus, "Vatican territory".
The official Italianname of the city is Città del Vaticano or, more formally, Stato della Città del Va…
History
The name "Vatican" was already in use in the time of the Roman Republic for the Ager Vaticanus, a marshy area on the west bank of the Tiber across from the city of Rome, located between the Janiculum, the Vatican Hill and Monte Mario, down to the Aventine Hill and up to the confluence of the Cremera creek.
Because of its vicinity to their arch-fiend, the Etruscan city of Veii(another nami…
Geography
The name "Vatican" was already in use in the time of the Roman Republic for the Ager Vaticanus, a marshy area on the west bank of the Tiber across from the city of Rome, located between the Janiculum, the Vatican Hill and Monte Mario, down to the Aventine Hill and up to the confluence of the Cremeracreek. The territory of Vatican City is part of the Vatican Hill, and of the adjacent former Vatican Field…
Governance
The politics of Vatican City takes place in the context of an absolute elective monarchy, in which the head of the Catholic Church holds power. The pope exercises principal legislative, executive, and judicial power over the State of Vatican City (an entity distinct from the Holy See), which is a rare case of a non-hereditary monarchy.
Economy
The Vatican City State budget includes the Vatican Museums and post office and is supported financially by the sale of stamps, coins, medals and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by publications sales. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. Other industries include printing, th…
Demographics
As of 2019, Vatican City had a total population of 825, including:
• 453 residents (regardless of citizenship)
• 372 Vatican citizens residing elsewhere (diplomats of the Holy See to other countries and cardinals residing in Rome)
Culture
Vatican City is home to some of the most famous art in the world. St. Peter's Basilica, whose successive architects include Bramante, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Maderno and Bernini, is a renowned work of Renaissance architecture. The Sistine Chapel is famous for its frescos, which include works by Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Botticelli as well as the ceiling and Last Judgment by
Summary
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican (Italian: Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano), or simply Saint Peter's Basilica (Latin: Basilica Sancti Petri), is a church built in the Renaissance style located in Vatican City, the papal enclave that is within the city of Rome, Italy. It was initially planned by Pope Nicholas V and then Pope Julius II to replace the aging Old St. Peter's Basilica, which was built in the 4th century by Roman emperor Constantine the Great. Construction of the …
Overview
St. Peter's is a church built in the Renaissance style located in the Vatican City west of the River Tiber and near the Janiculum Hill and Hadrian's Mausoleum. Its central dome dominates the skyline of Rome. The basilica is approached via St. Peter's Square, a forecourt in two sections, both surrounded by tall colonnades. The first space is oval and the second trapezoidal. The façade of the basilica, …
Status
St. Peter's Basilica is one of the papal basilicas (previously styled "patriarchal basilicas") and one of the four Major Basilicas of Rome, the other Major Basilicas (all of which are also Papal Basilicas) being the Basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major, and St. Paul outside the Walls. The rank of major basilica confers on St. Peter's Basilica precedence before all minor basilicasworldwide. However, u…
History
After the crucifixion of Jesus, it is recorded in the Biblical book of the Acts of the Apostles that one of his twelve disciples, Simon known as Saint Peter, a fisherman from Galilee, took a leadership position among Jesus' followers and was of great importance in the founding of the Christian Church. The name Peter is "Petrus" in Latin and "Petros" in Greek, deriving from "petra" which means "st…
Architecture
Pope Julius' scheme for the grandest building in Christendom was the subject of a competition for which a number of entries remain intact in the Uffizi Gallery, Florence. It was the design of Donato Bramante that was selected, and for which the foundation stone was laid in 1506. This plan was in the form of an enormous Greek Crosswith a dome inspired by that of the huge circular Roma…
Bernini's furnishings
As a young boy Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598–1680) visited St. Peter's with the painter Annibale Carracci and stated his wish to build "a mighty throne for the apostle". His wish came true. As a young man, in 1626, he received the patronage of Pope Urban VIIIand worked on the embellishment of the Basilica for 50 years. Appointed as Maderno's successor in 1629, he was to become re…
St. Peter's Piazza
To the east of the basilica is the Piazza di San Pietro, (St. Peter's Square). The present arrangement, constructed between 1656 and 1667, is the Baroque inspiration of Bernini who inherited a location already occupied by an Egyptian obelisk which was centrally placed, (with some contrivance) to Maderno's facade. The obelisk, known as "The Witness", at 25.31 metres (83.0 ft) and a to…
Clocks
The top of the facade of St. Peter's Basilica has two clocks and several sculptures. The clocks were created to replace Bernini's bell towers which had to be torn down due to insufficient support. The left clock shows Rome time, the one of the right shows European mean time. The statues are Christ the Redeemer, St. John the Baptist and 11 Apostles. From the left: St. Thadeus, St. Matthew, St. Philip, St. Thomas, St. James the Greater, St. John the Baptist, The Redeemer, S…
Origins of The Roman Catholic Church
- Old St. Peter's Basilica was the building that stood, from the 4th to 16th centuries, where the new St. Peter's Basilica stands today in Vatican City. Construction of the basilica, built over the historical site of the Circus of Nero, began during the reign of Emperor Constantine I. The name "old St. Peter's Basilica" has been used since the constr...
The Early Christian Church
Key Dates and Events in The History of Roman Catholicism