St. Peter’s Dome
The dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica is the dominant feature of the Roman skyline.
Designed by Michelangelo, St. Peter’s dome was actually carried out by his successors as architects of Saint Peters; Domenico Fontana and in particular Giacomo Della Porta.
They substantively completed the building within three years, by 1590.
st peter’s basilica dome
The interior decorations of the dome were designed by Cavalier D’Arpino, Giuseppe Cesari, between 1603 and 1612.
Their sketches were made in to mosaics by Cesare Torelli, Donato Parigi, Ranuccio Semprevivo and Rosario Parasole.
These mosaics show Jesus, Mary, Joseph, John the Baptist and the 12 apostles the Church is happy with shooting up via angels to God, who is depicted in the Cupola or smaller dome at the very top.
dome in rome
At the base of the cupola is inscribed: S. PETRI GLORIAE SIXTUS PP. V.A. MDXC PONTIF. V., or for the glory of Saint Peter, Pope Sixtus the fifth 1590, the fifth year of his pontificate.
He commissioned the dome and it was finished the year he passed away.
St. Peter’s dome is really the work of Giacomo Della Porta who should have the majority of the credit.
dome of st peters
Inside the drum of the Dome, beneath the windows, is a quote from Matthew Chapter 16 verses 17-19, in eight foot high letters:
“You are Peter, the rock, upon this rock I build my Church, I will give you the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven”.
The Catholic Church regards this statement from Jesus as making Peter the first Pope, papa or father of the church.
michelangelo dome
The Popes regard themselves as the successors to his office as Bishop of Rome; the earthly head of the Roman Catholic Church; they have always regarded Jesus as the head of the Church.
The drum section was the part completed by Michelangelo in his lifetime although he never saw it decorated nor the dome itself which he is erroneously credited for.
dome rome
Beneath this are four large circular medallions, each 26 feet high and again mosaics, depicting the writers of the four canonical gospels:
St. Matthew with the Angel
St. John with the eagle
St. Luke with the calf
and St. Mark with the lion.
These four men, or the gospels later ascribed to these men by Irenaeus, give us the majority of information about the life of Jesus. Other gospels exist, but these are considered authentic by the vast majority Christian Churches. They were also the first four written and the most commonly copied and distributed.
st peters basilica dome
Structurally, the dome is 150 metres or 490 feet high from the floor to the cross on top of the dome.
The Statue of Liberty could fit inside St. Peter’s underneath the dome and there would still be almost 220 feet to spare.
Visiting the dome affords the visitor great views of the inside of the church and of the outside of Rome. A small charge, less than €10, is incurred; at the time of writing it is €6 to walk all the way or €8 to get the elevator half way to the drum.
who designed the dome of st peters
You can visit the dome of st. peters by lining up in St. Peter’s Square and once you reach the portico of the church, taking a right to the dome ticket office.
Alternatively if you do the Museums and Sistine Chapel, once you exit the chapel you will see the line for the dome beneath you.
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