The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a church of the Italian Renaissance located in Vatican City, an independent microstate enclaved within the city of Rome, Italy. It was initially planned in the 15th century by Pope Nicholas V and then Pope Julius II to replace the aging Old Saint Peter's Basilica, built in the fourth century by the Roman emperor Constantine the Great, and construction of the present basilica began on April 18, 1506 and was completed on November 18, 1626.
Facts
Year Created Architectural StyleItalian Renaissance architecture 1 Primary Material Building TypePapal basilica; ranked among the four major papal basilicas of the Catholic Church 1 Commissioned By Construction Floor Area (sqm) Height (metres) UNESCO Inscription Year Current UseActive basilica for papal liturgies and Catholic pilgrimage 1 Visitor AccessPapal liturgies draw audiences of 15,000 to over 80,000 1 Connections
Created By
Michelangelo served as chief architect from 1546 and designed the dome; the building also involved Bramante, Maderno and Bernini across its long construction.
In Form
Renaissance and Baroque basilica in Vatican City.
In Movement
Maderno's facade and Bernini's piazza and interior work completed the basilica in the Baroque idiom, alongside its Renaissance origin (see the paired edge), matching the existing two-movement precedent on Sistine Chapel Ceiling.
Bramante and Michelangelo's original design phase is Renaissance; the building also carries a Baroque completion (see the paired edge).
Sources
1. Wikipedia
Wikimedia FoundationWikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, Overview paragraph 2
Saint Peter's is one of the most renowned works of Italian Renaissance architecture
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, lead paragraph 5
St. Peter's is ranked second, after the Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran, among the four churches in the world that hold the rank of major papal basilica
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, lead paragraph 1, patronage clause
It was initially planned in the 15th century by Pope Nicholas V and then Pope Julius II to replace the ageing Old St. Peter's Basilica
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, lead paragraph 1, construction-dates clause
Construction of the present basilica began on 18 April 1506 and was completed on 18 November 1626.
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, lead paragraph 1, completion-date clause
Construction of the present basilica began on 18 April 1506 and was completed on 18 November 1626.
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, lead paragraph 4, function clause
St. Peter's is famous as a place of pilgrimage and for its liturgical functions.
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, lead paragraph 1, location clause
located in Vatican City, an independent microstate enclaved within the city of Rome, Italy.
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, Facade section
is built of travertine stone
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, dome-dimensions paragraph
The top of its dome, at 448.1 feet (136.6 m), also places it as the second tallest building in Rome as of 2016.
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, UNESCO/area paragraph, area clause
an interior area of 15,160 square metres (163,200 ft2), St. Peter's Basilica is the largest Christian church building in the world
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, UNESCO/area paragraph, designation clause
St. Peter's Basilica was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 under criteria (i), (ii), (iv), and (vi).
Wikipedia, St Peter Basilica article, lead paragraph 4, audience clause
these liturgies draw audiences numbering from 15,000 to over 80,000 people.
Genre reference
The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a church of the Italian Renaissance located in Vatican City, an independent microstate enclaved within the city of Rome, Italy.
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