St. Peter’s Cathedral is one of the greatest Christian churches in the world. This place is considered to be sacred, because in the Vatican there are many sacred relics and memorial buildings.
About the Cathedral
Rome is one of the most ancient cities in the world withrich in history and amazing architecture. Every year, tourists from all over the world come to the capital of Italy to see the sights of the city. One of the most famous places - the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rome.
The architecture of this building strikes from the firstview: a huge spacious dome, columns and a tall obelisk in the middle of the square ... It all looks majestic and impressive. Closed, sacred for all Christians place - the Vatican - opens the veil of secrecy, allowing you to be in one of the many parts of the temple.
Who is the architect of the Cathedral of St.Peter? He was not alone, they often changed, but this did not prevent the creation of an excellent structure, which is considered the subject of world cultural heritage. The place where the Pope lives - the main face of the world Christian religion - will always remain one of the greatest and most popular among travelers. The sanctity and significance of this temple for humanity can not be overestimated.
St. Peter's Cathedral outside
The building that can be seen today was completely thought out by the architect of the Cathedral of St.
Petra - Michelangelo.
Sculptural groups on the facade of the temple - the greatestthe creation of the best masters of Italy. Looking closer, you can see that these tall statues depict Jesus Christ, John the Baptist and the apostles. The obelisk near the temple also has its meaning. In another way it is called the “needle”, and it is believed that at its foundation lie the remains of Julius Caesar.
Colonnade, closing on both sides of the cathedral -also an important part of the architectural complex. It was erected by the project of one of the architects of the Cathedral of St. Peter - Bernini. At the top of the colonnade is a series of statues of one hundred and forty saints. Among them are a significant number of women. They all look at St. Peter's Square from the height of the colonnades.
In front of the entrance stands the statue of the Apostle Paul - the symbolic move of the sculptors, drawing a parallel between the entrance to Paradise and the entrance to the Cathedral.
St. Peter's Cathedral: history, description
The history of the construction is full of mysteries and secrets.Unfortunately, St. Peter’s Cathedral is a relatively new temple compared to other shrines in Europe. The one that exists today is significantly different from the cathedral, which worked on the great architects and sculptors.
Many historical events took place in the temple.The foundation of the church and the first basilica were built during the reign of Emperor Constantine, and in 800 the coronation of the king of the Franks and Lombards Charlemagne took place, which for the first time united French lands.
During its existence, the building structureburned several times and was restored by architects again. Much effort was put into restoring St. Peter’s Cathedral. The holy places of Rome, to which believers make pilgrimages every year - almost all of them are located here.
This place is especially important for the entire Christian world: here you can visit the room where the relics of the Apostle Peter are kept.
Michelangelo
The history of the temple is so great that it is difficultanswer the question: "What great architects were the main builders of St. Peter?" This building saw different artists, sculptors and architects, but only a few really important things did.
Many people have made efforts to create suchproject, like St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome. Michelangelo Buonarroti - the main architect of the temple, whose contribution to its construction was very significant. He was hired by one of the most influential families of Florence - Medici. The architect of the Cathedral of St. Peter, who was before, planned to make a dome in the shape of an elongated cross. But thanks to the plan of Michelangelo, the dome of the cathedral has a spherical shape. As the chief architect of St. Peter’s Cathedral, the artist created murals and sculptures for the temple. Soon, one of the representatives of the Medici family was elected Pope. The newly elected Leo X appointed Michelangelo, now officially, the chief architect of the Cathedral.
An interesting fact is that the great sculptor andartist Buonarroti for a long time refused to work on the architecture of such a project as St. Peter’s Cathedral. Michelangelo, however, then nevertheless agreed and radically changed the idea of construction.
Sculpture and the remains of the Apostle Peter
The statue of the Apostle Peter - the mainlandmark of the Cathedral. The sculpture seems both harsh and welcoming. In addition, it is considered holy. There is a tradition: visiting the cathedral, you must touch the foot of this figure. It is believed that after this the spirit of the Apostle Peter absolves a man of all his sins. The heart of one who touches the foot must be pure, even if a person has done a lot of bad things. Every day there are so many people who want to touch the marble foot of the saint that the museum curators have to polish its surface from time to time.
However, the most sacred is considered another place.It is underground. This is a crypt where the relics of the saints are kept. The column with the remains of the Apostle Peter, after whom the Cathedral is named, is the most important part of the entire temple-museum. The chief architect of St. Peter’s Cathedral created a descent into the crypt. It resembles the stairs to the underworld, however, after descending, everyone pays attention to the remains - the skeletons of the saints. The crypt is quite dark, which creates a sense of the underworld.
Dome of the Cathedral
The dome of St. Peter's is one of the largest in Europe. It rests on four massive pillars, decorated with stucco and sculptures.
Above the pillars are the loggias, where relics were previously kept. Under each of the relics built the corresponding statue of the saint.
The sculpture of the Apostle Andrew the First-Called is a man who holds a timber of a tree and calls out to Heaven. On his face is an expression of agony and suffering.
Another statue is the Equal Queen Apostle Elena. She holds a huge cross - a symbol of Faith. Her second hand is directed towards the viewer, her face is calm and peaceful.
Совсем другое настроение передаёт скульптура Holy Veronica. In her pose - dynamics, movement. Saint Veronica holds in hand the plates that she gave to Jesus to wipe his face. She as if hands it, and in the expression of her face - determination and confidence. The fourth column is decorated with a statue of St. Longin. The saint looks threateningly stern, in one of his hands is a spear. The other hand extends to the side. In his posture you can read the anger and thirst for justice.
Tombstone floor. Sculpture "Moses"
St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome and its tombstones are the most exciting in the whole temple. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that in one of the halls of the Cathedral the floor is a series of tombstones.
When you step on it, you feel an incredible excitement, a feeling of holiness and connection with the Almighty.
Inside the temple - a lot of frescoes, mosaic paintings on the floors, ceilings, walls ... Everywhere is surrounded by high art - images of biblical scenes.
The sculpture of Moses is one of the favorite places fortourists. This statue depicts the hero of the Old Testament, who brought his people out of the desert and became a great savior for Christians. In the folds of his mantle, facial expression, and the tense muscles of the arms, excitement and responsibility for all of humanity are felt. In his pose - readiness for blows of fate, desire to resist rock. Thick beard is fashioned so realistic that it seems like it is real hair. She gives Moses a stern look, which for a moment makes him even afraid.
Sculptures of the Right Nave
The famous marble Pieta, created by handsMichelangelo - the world masterpiece of art. The sculpture is supposedly alive, makes me feel a sense of grief, quiet grief over the dying Christ. The folds of fabric, the smooth face of the Virgin Mary — it all looks so realistic that it seems as though they, having overcome many centuries, were instantly in the hall, and we had just become unwitting viewers of the tragedy that had occurred. Eyes of the Virgin Mary lowered, she closed her eyes from grief. In the posture of Christ - striking helplessness. This sculpture - very strong psychologically and emotionally - was created over the years, and the slightest mistake could lead to the loss of form and the whole idea. However, master Michelangelo created her so tender and sad that she looks truly alive.
Not far from Pieta there is the Tomb of Matilda of Tuscany, decorated with a sculpture of a female warrior and several cupids at her feet. This work of art was made by the sculptor Bernini.
The Sistine Chapel
One of the most famous frescoes of world art -created by Michelangelo Sistine Chapel. The largest on the scale of the picture adorned the largest cathedral in the world - St. Peter's Cathedral. At that time, the Pope was Julius II. He invited the young Michelangelo to do this work. He still did not have sufficient skills in painting, but agreed and set to work. Today, in order to study this mural in detail, it will take more than five hours. The variety of lines, folds of fabric on the figures and subjects of the Bible captures and does not allow to look away. You can also see Christ crucified on the cross, and scenes from the Old Testament ... For example, the creation of the World, the creation of Adam and Eve, the separation of water from land, the expulsion of people from Paradise sacrificing Noah, the frightened Delphic Sibyl, the prophets ...
In the corners of the chapel are the oldest passages from the Bible: David and Goliath, the Bronze Serpent, Judith and Holofernes, the Punishment of Haman.
The chapel was restored several times, but has not lost its beauty and integrity of the composition.
