Citta` del Vaticano

Beginning in 1506, Bramante was entrusted with the construction of the new San Pietro basilica, the renovation of the facade of the Apostolic Palace, completed by Raphael in 1519, and the construction of the massive wall and the three raised terraces between the Palace and Belvedere. In 1546 Michelangelo Buonarroti started planning the complex of the three apses and the dome. At the time of his death in 1564 the left apse and the drum, which would be vaulted under Sixtus V in 1585, were completed. To Sixtus V we owe the positioning of the obelisk in front of the basilica in line with the high altar (1586). In 1612 the facade of the church was erected and Pope Paul V Borghese could finally declare the conclusion of the whole project. Bernini completed the sumptuous decoration of the basilica (the Baldacchino of the High Altar and Saint Peter's Chair) and the brilliant, grandiose arrangement of Piazza di San Pietro (1656-66).

St. Peter's Square		Front view-St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Chair in the Vatican		Baptistery in the Vatican
Cappella del Santissimo Sacremento		Altar of Leo the Great

Rome Florence Venice Pompeii Pisa Napoli

---

This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page