BASILICA OF ST PETERS IN ROME

WIENER, Jacques: Italy, 1857, Bronze, 59 mm
Obv: View of exterior of basilica    BASILICA DE S. PIETRO A ROMA
Rev: View of interior
Exergue: DA GIULIO II INCOMINCIATA NEL MDVI. DA PAOLO V COMPIUTA NEL MDCXII.
Signed: J. WIENER F. / J. WIENER F. 1857
Ref: Van Hoydonck 152; Reinecke 50; Bouhy 18; Ross M201; Weiss BW257

St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Italy, is on the site of an earlier structure over the supposed grave of St. Peter. The Basilica was begun in 1506 by Pope Julius II, who had the old basilica torn down. It was completed in 1615 during the reign of Pope Paul V. Among the architects were Donato Bramante, whose plan was for the basilica to be erected in the form of a Greek cross and who laid the foundations for the four pilasters of the cupola. This plan was modified over the years by numerous architects, among whom were notably: Fra Giovanni Giocondo, who made early design changes in Bramante's plan, Michelangelo Buonarroti, who designed the dome, Carlo Maderno, who gave the basilica the form of a Latin cross, and Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini, who designed the bronze baldachino or canopy over the papal altar and the bronze throne. St. Peter's Basilica is the largest house of worship in Christendom, and because it is situated in Vatican City, perhaps the most important building in Catholicism. It is the site of the coronation of popes and the sites of some of the most important ceremonies and rites of the Catholic Church.

LINK to Donato Bramante

LINK to Michelangelo Buonarroti

LINK to Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini

Maderno's Nave: painting by Panini

View from Tiber

The Apse with St. Peter's Cathedra

The alter with Bernini's Baldacchino

La Madonna della Pietà  by Michaelangelo Buonarroti

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