St. Peter's Basilica Designed by Bramante - Term Paper Example

? Full and section number of St. Peter’s Basilica, the most mysterious, yet splendid buildings ever created by human beings, has astonished people for several hundred years. The massive size of the splendorous building is visible for miles, and the celebrated dome is simply amazing. Inside the building you can find the impressive works of artists like Michelangelo, Bernini and Giotto. The church is basically a masterpiece that amazes every eye. There existed an old building before the construction of the “new” St. Peter’s Basilica. In the early years of the fourth century, the emperor Constantine planned to build a basilica and dedicate it to Saint Peter. The building was to be located on the Vatican Hill that lies on the south part of the river. The project was a difficult one as the location was on the sloping part of the hill. The floor was projecting outside, being away from the hill. After the basilica was built, it was wonderfully adorned with marble and bronze outside and mosaics and gold inside. As the Basilica was located at an odd site, people started feeling that beneath the basilica lie the buried body of St. Peter. People felt that Emperor Constantine decided to build the basilica on that location because St Peter’s body was buried there. In the sixteenth century, Emperor Constantine’s basilica began to fall off. The basilica was therefore demolished in the year 1425. Only the floor of the basilica was preserved. Popes, kings and artists very soon designed a new plan of the basilica to be dedicated for St. Peter. Nicholas V, in 1450, took the initiative for the gigantic task. Very soon he came up with a plan that was ten times larger than the imagination of anybody else. The new proposed Basilica would have a large dome kept above the central Greek Cross. The dome would be a great architectural achievement of the celebrated Renaissance arts. Several years after the construction Nicholas V recognized that in order to make it the best, best architects should be hired for the work. He welcomed artists to share their ideas. St. Peter’s Basilica is the perfect example of architectural beauty. Nicholas V entrusted the architectural work to Bernardo Rossellino. His plans were to add to the existing church. The idea was cancelled later. In the late years of the fifteenth century, Pope Sixtus IV began the construction of Sistine Chapel, near to the site. St Peter’s Basilica was fully rebuilt in the sixteenth Century. The building work was started in 1506, adding to the existing building. This work was under Pope Julius II. The work got completed almost hundred years later in the year 1615. Pope Paul V was the pope in that period. The highly complex construction activity of the church was named as Fabbrica di San Pietro’. Innumerable renaissance architects were involved in the great assignment of church construction. The first chief architect of St. Peter’s Basilica construction was Donato Bramante. Michelangelo remained as the main architect of the building for a certain period. His is credited with the role of the designer of the dome. Bernini designed the famous St. Peter’s Square. St. Peter’s Basilica or ‘Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano (the Italian name of the Basilica) is the holiest and most admired Christian sites. It is the largest church building, with a length of 220 meters and breadth 150 meters. The church can hold more than sixty thousand people. The marvelous architecture of the basilica got its legacy from the Renaissance and Baroque style of architecture. It was deemed as one of the biggest buildings of its period. The basilica is believed to be situation in the site where Apostle Peter was crucified and buried. Basilica is therefore considered to be over the tomb. The tomb is believed to be under the main altar. The shrine of Apostle Peter in the basilica is one of the chief focuses of the buildings. The tombs of other popes that are buried in the church are also visible. The elliptical St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) that gives a perfect approach to the big basilica was designed by Bernini. It was built between the periods 1656 and 1667. Two magnificent fountains are found in the square. The southern one was designed by Carlo Maderno, while the northern one was the work of Bernini. A tall obelisk is found at the centre of the square. This obelisk dates back to the thirteenth century BC Egypt. This was later brought to Rome. The task was completed in four months with the observance of complete silence contemplating the pain of death. Together with the cross on the top, the obelisk is 40m tall. Outlining the square we can find the monumental colonnade by Bernini. The open hands of this structure show a symbolic welcome to the basilica. Above the colonnade we can find 140 statues of saints. These statues were crafted by a group of sculptors in the period from 1662 to 1703. Statues include those of St. Macrina, St. Dominic, St. Benedict, St. Ignatius of Loyola, St. Francis, and St. Bernard. Towards the end of the colonnade we find the statues of Paul and John. Close to the stairs of the basilica it would be amazing to find the colossal figures of St. Peter and St. Paul, who are the patron saints of Rome. These statues were specially order on 1847 Easter by Pope Pius IX. The statue of Peter was made by Giuseppe De Fabris while that of Paul was sculpted by Adamo Tadolini. Michelangelo, the chief architect designed the dome of St. Peter. The dome was later vaulted by the architects Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana. The latter built the lantern next year. The ball was later attached in the year 1593. The great double dome was built of bricks. Chains were installed in the two shells as cracks formed in the dome. Michelangelo's dome has a vertical thrust. The grand facade was designed by Carlo Modeno. Loggia of the Blessings, the central balcony is used during the declaration of the new pope. Buonvicino, the relief found under the balcony shows Jesus handing over the keys to St. Peter. The facade includes the statues of Thaddeus, Matthew, Philip, John the Baptist, Christ the Redeemer, Thomas, James the Elder, Andrew, John the Evangelist, Bartholomew, Simon James the Younger, and Matthias. The statue of St. Peter's is found inside. Two clocks are found on both sides. The left clock has one of its bells dating back to the year 1288. A dedicatory inscription is found along the facade. A portico designed by Maderno is located between the interior and the facade. There lie the statues of Charlemagne and Emperor Constantine. The Holy Door, the northernmost one by Vico Consorti is made of bronze. This is opened only on big celebrations like Jubilee years. Above the door, you can find the inscriptions. The door was last opened by Pope John Paul II during the jubilee period 1983-1984 as well as 2000-2001. The door in centre belonged to the old basilica. This was by Antonio Averulino. The door includes panels that show Jesus and Mary in thone; St. Paul sentenced by Nero; St. Paul carrying the sword; St. Peter handing over the keys to the Pope Eugene IV; death of St. Peter on Vatican Hill; and martyrdom of St. Paul. The left door into the church, The Door of Death is used as an exit for funeral processions. There is a bronze door sculptured by Giacomo Manzu. . There you can find huge relief panes portraying different biblical death events like death of Jesus death of Mother Mary, death of Abel, death of two popes, death of Stephen, death of Gregory VII etc. Interior part of the basilica is glorious and majestic. Every bit of space in the interior portion is used to portray the best decoration and monuments of the Renaissance period. No wonder the work is splendorous for they are the works of great artists like Michelangelo and Bernini. Inside the central doors a huge porphyry slab is kept on the floor. Charlemagne as well as Holy Roman Emperors knelt on this slab during their coronation before the high altar of the church. The inside part of the pilasters have niches that contain statues of various saints who created religious orders. There are 39 statues of that kind in the whole church. The statues are evenly placed in the nave and the transepts. After entering the basilica, on the right, one can see the statue of St. Teresa of Avila. She is the Spanish saint who formed the Order of Discalced Carmelites. In the right front corner of the nave one can find the statue of St. Peter. The statue is believed to be the work of the sculptor Arnolfo di Cambio. The statue is crowned and clothed on major festivals. The feet of the statue is smoothed down because of the pilgrim’s handlings through these centuries. In the right aisle one can find beautiful Pieta, the work of Michelangelo. The sculpture includes Virgin Mary with dead Jesus in her lap (after crucification). The sculpture was damaged with an axe in 1972. It has been kept behind a protective glass. The monument of Swedish queen Christina can be seen up the castle. She had abdicated so that she could embrace Catholicism. Further there are the monuments of St Sebastian, pope Pius XI and pope Pius XII. Ahead one can find the big Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. For entering the Chapel one should move along the Baroque wrought-iron grill. The grill was designed by Francesco Borromini. In the Chapel the Blessed Sacrament is displayed so that believers may adore it. The sacrament involves consecrated bread and wine. It is a place of stillness and tranquility. The basilica is always filled with tourists. The Chapel is the favorite place of Catholics who wish to pray. The sacrament is preserved in tabernacle made of gilded bronze. The tabernacle was designed by Bernini. It is also based another well-known work by Bramante. It also contains statues of the Apostles of Jesus. A statue of Jesus is also found on the miniature dome. It is covered by blue lapis lazuli. It is bordered by bronze figures of two angels. The angels are kneeling and praying. The oil painting Pietro da Cortona can be found behind the altar. The painting is that of the holy trinity. This is the only canvas painting in the entire basilica. The monuments of Pope Gregory XIII and Gregory XIV are also found along the right aisle. The altars of St Wenceslas, St. Erasmus, and St. Processo and St. Martiniano are included in the right transept. While moving further along the right aisle one can find the glass case in which the body of Pope John XXIII is preserved. It is under the altar of St. Jerome. The pope was a strong devotee of St. Jerome. Next come the baldacchino, the chief focus of the interior. This monumental canopy also occupies the vertical space beneath Michelangelo's great dome. It is made of tons of bronze. Gold wine leaves add to its beauty. The structure is 90 feet all. It was built by Lorenzo Bernini, in the leading of Barberini pope Urban VIII. Baldacchinio shows the combination of Christian tradition of Constantine, the symbolizes the union of the Old Testament wisdom of Solomon, the Christian tradition of Constantine, and the rebirth of a triumphal church. In the foot of the papal altar and the baldacchino one can find a chapel built for commemorating St. Peter’s confession that took him to martyrdom. The Confessio is well visible from the crypt. There is a glass wall to view it. Even though the papal altar and the baldacchino and papal altar are placed over the tomb of St. Peter, the tomb is not visible from here or from the crypt. St Peters tomb is found at the back of the Confessio, towards the other side of the Niche. The tomb thus can only be seen in the Scavi tour. The niche contains a silver coffer that seems like a good place for Peter's relics, but actually contains fabrics (each known as a "pallium") woven from the wool of lambs blessed on the feast of St. Agnes (Jan 21) and given to patriarchs and metropolitans as a reminder of the Church's unity. Behind the coffer one can see the eighth-century mosaic of Jesus Christ. This was placed by Pope Leo III. Christ is holding an open Bible with the book opened to the Gospel of John. The page shows the inscription ‘I am the way the truth and the life, the one who believes in me shall live’ (The Holy Bible). Baldacchino is surrounded by four great piers that uphold the giant dome. All the four piers have large niches at its foundation. This is covered with a statue of saint shows each of the four important relics of the basilica. The figurine of Longinus is made by Bernini. Other statues are created by his followers. The relics are preserved in the podium of the Pier of St. Veronica. They are displayed only in the Holy Week. In the foundation of the inside part of the dome one can find Matthew 16:18-19 inscribed there. “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church.... I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven (The Holy Bible).” Towards the western end of the church is the tribune. This gigantic gilded bronze monument was planned and built by Bernini. This was made to enfold an oak throne presented by Charles the Bald during the time of his coronation in the basilica. The legs of the throne are wonderfully adorned with beautifully carved ivory bands that were prepared at the School at Tours. Later 18 ivory plaques were added to the front of the chair. This shows the twelve Labors of Hercules and other monsters. Above Bernini's monument we can find a yellow window showing the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove. It is encircled by 12 rays showing the 12 apostles of Christ. Towards the right side of the chair one can find the figures of the fathers of Latin Church, St Ambrose and St Augustine. Towards the left we can find the figures of St Athanasius and St John Chrysostom. They were the fathers of Greek Church. Above the right wall of the chapel we can find the monument of Pope Urban VIII. This was designed and created by Bernini. The left wall holds the monument of Paul III. Bibliography Read More