Italy is an amazing country that is fraught with many mysteries. Here you can see unique cultural monuments and enjoy incredible sights, one of which is St. Peter's Cathedral. Its history goes back over 5 centuries! We will tell you about its history and architecture, how to get there on your own, how much the ticket costs and about the rules for visiting.
Description
St. Peter's Basilica is located in the heart of the Vatican, the small, dwarf state of Rome. Next to it you can see a huge number of various buildings that are of great historical value, both for this region and for the whole world. From a bird's eye view, against the blue sky, you can see the white domes of the cathedral, as well as its beautiful exterior with statues and stucco moldings.
Where to go for 1 day from Rome? - in more detail on our website.
Its height is over 135 meters, length is over 210 meters. On the facade and in the interior, you can see an abundance of statues of Jesus Christ, as well as John the Baptist. In addition, John Paul II is buried here, and the marble “Pieta” by Michelangelo, the tombstone of the Pope, is considered the main masterpiece.
Before entering the cathedral, you can admire the statues of Saints Peter and Paul, located right next to the entrance doors. In the hands of Peter is a bunch of keys that open the doors to the Kingdom of Heaven, which God himself gave him. The building can be entered through several doors, but at different times. So, for example, the last door, which is located on the right side of the cathedral, the Holy One, is opened exclusively on the coming of the Holy Year.
In ancient times, when such a year began, people understood this by the sound of a trumpet made from a goat's horn called an anniversary, from which they began to call the year a jubilee. This Holy door was walled up with a concrete pavement, and every quarter of a century before Christmas it is reinforced with concrete.
All those present must fall to their knees three times, the same number of times hammer blows sound, and after that the doors are opened and everyone enters the cathedral. The first, of course, comes dad together with a cross in his hands. When the anniversary year comes to an end, the doors are also concreted for another quarter of a century.
The central doors are made of bronze and were made by the Florentine master Filerat. Above on the doors there are two statues depicting the Savior and the Mother of God, in the middle there are two apostles - Peter and Paul, and below - the image of the judgment seat at Nero and the execution of the apostles. Above, above the door itself, there is a bas-relief where Jesus gives Peter the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
The doors on the door to the central portal were made in the 15th century. Opposite the portal itself, you can see the mosaic by Giotto, created at the end of the 18th century - Navicella. On the far left port is the creation of one of the greatest sculptors of history - Giacomo Manzu - the Gate of Death. It is also worth noting the image of Pope John 23rd, which looks incredibly expressive.
The dome of the cathedral is simply an incredible masterpiece of beauty, which is about 120 meters high and over 40 meters in diameter. It is supported by 4 powerful pillars. In one of the niches there is a statue of St. Bernina, which is about 5 meters high.
Bernini plays a very important role in this cathedral, he worked here for half a century, from 1620 to 1670. Almost under the very dome, Bernini's creation was also placed - a canopy of almost 30 meters in height, which is fixed on 4 twisted columns, and on them there are statues of angels.
In the branches of the laurel at the top you can see the heraldic bees of the Barberini family. The bronze for the ciborium was taken from the Pantheon by disassembling the structures supporting the roof of the portico. Through the canopy, one can clearly see the vip, located in the central part, as well as the pulpit of St. Peter created by Bernini. In it you can see 4 statues, which seem to support the chair where Peter sits, and the Holy Spirit hovers over him, or rather his symbol.
There are many decorations inside the dome, as well as images depicting the Evangelists. These include Matthew with an angel, Mark with a lion, Luke with an ox, and John with an eagle. These three beasts are closely associated with the apocalypse.
On the right side of the cathedral you can see the tombstone of Pope Urban the Eighth, on which Bernini worked; on the left side - the place where Pope Paul III rests, and his tombstone - the work of which was carried out by Michelangelo's student - Guglielmo de la Porte.
The church and domed frieze is a huge number of mosaic inscriptions in Greek and Latin, which describe how Jesus Christ gives instructions to Peter, as well as the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.
Ticket price
To get real pleasure from visiting the cathedral, you need to have at least 10 euros in your pocket - this price includes the use of the elevator. With the amount a little less - 6 euros, you will have to climb the steps, there are more than half a thousand of them here. The ascent time will take 30 minutes, the same time you will spend on the descent.
Working hours
St. Peter's Basilica is open in summer from 9 am to 7 pm, in winter from 9 am to 6 pm. The cathedral is closed on Wednesdays in the morning.
Rules of behavior
At the entrance you will be met by a man with a metal detector and checked your bags. There is a very strict dress code here, everyone, without exception, must have their hands and feet covered, for women - hats, for men - their absence.
How to get there
The Cathedral can be reached by metro and stops right in front of it at Basilica San Paolo Station. In addition, you can use public transport - bus or tram. As in all developed European cities, there is a car rental service, as well as a huge number of taxis.
The Vatican Library is another famous site in the Vatican. - Read more on our website.
St. Peter's Basilica on the map
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