Theo.st.peter's

St. Peter’s Basilica:

Documentary Historical

Research on Faith Through

Religious Art/Architectur

e

By:ESMILIO, HAZEL MAY K.

MERCADO, DIANE TRICIA D.QUIAMBAO, AMINA FATIMA D.

LocationLeft side of the Circus of Nero, where St.

Peter was crucified, Vatican City, Rome

St. Peter’s Basilica

The premier church of Roman Catholic

Christendom

Year 324 Constantine gave place to a basilica to built over St. Peter’s tomb. It stood for a century until it verge on collapse. It was constructed during 1450-1626 (176 yrs).

Giuliano da Sangallo plan for St Peter's

Florence, Uffizi, Gabinetto Disegni e Stampe, 7A

Floorplan of Old St Peter's with the presentbasilica superimposed, by Tiberio Alfarano, 1570

Architectural styleGothic Style forms of arches and flying buttress

Central nave Old St. Peter’s bell towerhttp://saintpetersbasilica.org/Interior/Nave/Nave.htm

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica-photos/slides/1630-painting-by-viviano-codazzi.jpg

Romanesque style Stone barrel vault, thick and heavy walls, thick and heavy pillars, a transept, sculptured decoration on portals, capitals and other surfaces

Right transept Door of Death, Portico

Baroque style The external facade is often characterized by a dramatic central projection, The interior is often no more than a shell for painting and sculpture

http://www.thestudioarts.com/Assets/Students/Czech/Architecture/StPeter.jpg

TIMELINE

During Nero’s time the current location of St. Peter’s Basilica was a chariot racing stadium where persecution was done to the Christians.

After St. Peter’s persecution he was buried to a near cemetery outside the stadium. That gave rise to the biggest basilica that early Christians have built during Constantine’s reign who gave freedom to Christians at 313 A.D.

It was during the peak of Renaissance Pope Julius II decided to replace the basilica in a more magnificent structure when Pope Nicholas V failed to implement his plan of reconstruction.

The works done in building the basilica was pioneered by notable Michaelangelo, Maderno, Della Porta, and Bernini.

Paintings/Design/Structure

Pieta was created by Michelangelo when he was 25. It portrays the genre of Mother Mary cradling the dead Christ. The Pieta is located at the first chapel in the right aisle in Saint Peter’s Basilica.

The Basilica’s Dome was also designed by Michelangelo. Its central apex lies directly over Saint Peter’s tomb.A biblical message is found at the bottom of the dome. It says: “You are Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church; I will give you the keys to heaven.”

The central Balcony is found at the façade of the Basilica. It is also called the “Loggia of the Blessings”. It is where the new pope is announced.

In 1624, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini began working on the immense bronze baldacchino or canopy for the high altar of Saint Peter’s Basilica directly over the saint’s tomb.

Bernini also built the Altar of the Chair or Cathedra Petri, which is the focal point of the Church. He started to build it on 1657 and finished it on 1666.Cathedra Petri

Monument to Alexander VII

Bernini’s last work is the monument to Alexander VII. It is a melodramatic style of a skeleton, holding an hourglass. It symbolizes death.

References

Hacker, Jeffrey “Grolier Encyclopedia of Knowledge” pp.249 V 16, 2002

Ringvelski, Shanon, “Let’s Go Rome”, pp. 112-119, 2003

http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Docs/GuideSPB1.htm http://saintpetersbasilica.org/Interior/Nave/Nave.htm http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-

peters-basilica-photos/slides/1630-painting-by-viviano-codazzi.jpg

http://www.thestudioarts.com/Assets/Students/Czech/Architecture/StPeter.jpg

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/13369b.htm

SETTING TIMELINE HIGHLIGHTS APPLICATIONS

•Left side of the Circus of Nero, where St. Peter was crucified, Vatican City , Rome•Premiere church of Roman Catholic Christendom•Constructed for 176 years•Architectural style

•Persecution to early Christians•Freedom to early Christians give by Emperor Constantine•Idea of Pope Nicholas V for a new Basilica•Pope Julius decided to replace the basilica to a “more magnificent structure”•Time for the start of Humanism and Renaissance

•Michelangelo’s Pieta•Bernini’s Cathedra Petri•Monument to Alexander VII

• To remind us of the certain events in the life of Jesus Christ and the history of the Church• Renaissance is the time that people discovered that they are created with image and likeness of God.•Art/architecture helps us appreciate more our faith.

That in all things, God may be glorified