English
English
- St. Peter's Basilica
- St. Peter's Basilica Dome
- St. Peter's Square
- Vatican Necropolis
- Vatican Grottoes
- Grand Tomb of St. Peter
- Vatican Museums
- Sistine Chapel
- History
- Architecture
- Inside
- St. Peter's Altar
- St. Peter's Chair
- Old St. Peter's Basilica
- Saint Peter
- Statues
- Floor Plan
- St. Peter's Baldacchino
- Plan Your Visit
- Skip the Line Tours
- Guided Tours
- Night Tours
- Timings
- Directions
- Entrances
- Facts
- Mass
- Feast of the Chair of St. Peter
- Dress Code
- Colosseum
- Vatican Museums
- Rome Pantheon
- Castel Sant Angelo
- Musei Capitolini
- Roman Catacombs Tour
- Borghese Gallery
- Altare della Patria
- Doria Pamphilj Gallery
- Rome To Amalfi Coast Tours
- Rome To Tuscany Tours
- Bioparco Rome
- Big Bus Rome Hop-on Hop-off Tours
- Palazzo Barberini
- Leonardo da Vinci Museum
- Trevi Fountain Tours
Contents
The unique architecture of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City
St. Peter's BasilicaArchitecture
Architecture & design of St. Peter's Basilica | Quick overview
Official name: St. Peter's Basilica, Basilica di San Pietro
Status/Function: Church
Location: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
Founded: 1626
Area: 220 metres (length), 150 metres (width), 136.6 metres (height)
Architectural style: Renaissance and Baroque
Main architects: Donato Bramante, Maderno, Raphael, Michelangelo, Gian Lorenzo Bernini
Architectural style and influences
St. Peter's Basilica was built in Baroque style architecture. It follows the style of the Roman Pantheon, but Michelangelo modified the final design to include the supporting piers to hold the massive dome. The core plan of Bramante was to match the Basilica to a Latin cross.
The interior was opulent with marbles, Renaissance-era sculptures as well as artefacts. After Bernini built the Baldacchino and St. Peter's chair to complete the structure, the Church has become a textbook symbol of the renaissance.
Architectural highlights of St. Peter's Basilica
See all photos
History of the architecture
Who designed St. Peter's Basilica?
For a massive structure like St. Peter's Basilica that took over a century to build, the Vatican hired the best architects in Rome.
Bramante
The initial plan was created by Renaissance artist Donato Bramante at the request of Pope. Bramante modeled the Basilica after the Roman Pantheon. Bramante died in 1514.
Giuliano da Sangallo
After Bramante’s death, the work went to Giuliano da Sangallo and Fra Giocondo.
Raphael
After the deaths of Giuliano da Sangallo and Fra Giocondo in 1515, Raphael took over and added his own modifications to the design.
Michelangelo
Michelangelo, who first desisted, designed the Dome and helped the structure as we see it today.
Carlo Maderno
Maderno was primarily known for his work on the nave and facade of the Basilica, after being appointed by the Pope in 1602.
Bernini
Bernini finally took over and created many iconic elements inside the Basilica including St. Peter’s Chair and the Baldacchino.
Details of construction
Dimensions
An architectural marvel, St. Peter's Basilica is 452 feet high; Its dome is the tallest in the world. The Basilica is 730 feet in length, and its interior is almost 693 feet. The entire area of the building and its surroundings is 5.7 acres. The interior is 15,160 square meters in area. The internal diameter of the dome, designed by Michelangelo, is 41.47 meters, breaking the record of Old Roman buildings from that age including the Pantheon.
Piers
The base piers of St. Peter's Basilica were 45-meters high. To plant the piers, trenches as deep as 25 feet were dug. Designer Bramante raised the 90 piers to lock them under the coffered barrel vaults at 150 feet. For the Dome, he placed four piers to the Corinthian Capitals. Bramante was a fan of creating large spaces while fixing the piers with pilasters. It's also noted that no one in history has ever attempted a massive formation.
Basilica floor
The floor of St. Peter's Basilica changed in design when Sangallo took over from Bramante. He has raised the entire floor proposed by Bramante by 12.5 feet. It's believed that Sangallo calculated the possibility of the Cathedral sinking in the marshy region it was built. To support the structure, he had built parallel walls in three feet thickness. He has also strengthened the piers Bramante created to accommodate the changes.
Materials
The material Bramante used in the construction of St. Peter’s Basilica was a lime-based sedimentary rock named travertine. It was very durable and had great strength. The construction team used the travertine quarried from Tivoli, a mineral-rich town near the Vatican. When Pope Julius II asked the designer to cut costs, Bramante limited the use of travertine and explored alternative options like bricks. Marble was another important ingredient. Architects have also used materials sourced from other buildings.
The exterior & interior of St. Peter’s Basilica
Exterior
The most important attraction of St. Peter's Basilica is its long forecourt, St. Peter's Square, inspired by Greek style. The exterior of the Basilica is decorated with sculptures. On the facade, ornate Corinthian Columns bearing the statues of Jesus' apostles are visible. There are two giant statues of St. Peter and St. Paul placed on the entrance as well.
Interior
As St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most beautiful examples of Renaissance architecture, it sure has a list of invaluable treasures inside, in terms of design elements as well as artefacts. The list of works includes Michelangelo's Pieta, Bernini's bronze Baldacchino, and St. Peter's chair. A neoclassical sculpture of Pope Pius VI is also considered a masterpiece, among other Papal monuments.
St. Peter's Square
Diving into the architecture of the Basilica would be incomplete without the mention of St. Peter's Square.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini created the massive elliptical piazza in front of St. Peter's Basilica between 1657 -1667. The grand public square was designed in mind to accommodate the masses turning up for the Feast of Corpus Christi. One of the biggest public venues in the world, St. Peter’s Square is 320 meters in length and 240 meters in width.
The large expanse can hold as many as 3,00,000 people. It’s most stunning feature is its endless colonnades, forming the borders of the square. You will also find statues of 140 Saints atop the colonnades and 2 identical fountains at the center of the square.
More about St. Peter's Square
Book tours to unravel the architecture of St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Square
Diving into the architecture of the Basilica would be incomplete without the mention of St. Peter's Square.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini created the massive elliptical piazza in front of St. Peter's Basilica between 1657 -1667. The grand public square was designed in mind to accommodate the masses turning up for the Feast of Corpus Christi. One of the biggest public venues in the world, St. Peter’s Square is 320 meters in length and 240 meters in width.
The large expanse can hold as many as 3,00,000 people. It’s most stunning feature is its endless colonnades, forming the borders of the square. You will also find statues of 140 Saints atop the colonnades and 2 identical fountains at the center of the square.
More about St. Peter's SquareFrequently asked questions about St. Peter's Basilica architecture
What is the St. Peter’s Basilica architectural style?
St. Peter's Basilica architecture follows the famed Renaissance-era and Baroque style.
Who designed St. Peter’s Basilica?
The first main architect of St. Peter's Basilica was an Italian Architect named Donato Bramante. But throughout its construction, the building saw at least five artists contribute to its design.
Why is the St. Peter’s Basilica architecture famous?
Throughout its construction, St. Peter's Basilica adopted the best of Baroque-style architecture and flourished during the Renaissance. World-famous artists such as Michelangelo and Raphael have contributed to the structure.
What are the dimensions of St. Peter’s Basilica?
St. Peter’s Basilica is sprawling across 2.3 hectares. It's 220 meters in length, 150 meters in width, and 136 meters high.
When was St. Peter’s Basilica built?
What’s inside St. Peter’s Basilica?
The main attraction inside the Basilica is the Dome built over the Tomb of St. Peter. It is also famous for its Papal Altar, artworks, tombs, & much more.
What is on the exterior of St. Peter’s Basilica?
St. Peter’s Basilica has a beautiful facade decorated with giant sculptures from the Renaissance era. The beauty of its exterior also includes the large plaza known as St. Peter's Square.
What is part of the interior of St. Peter’s Basilica?
The major attraction of the interior of St. Peter's Basilica is the ornate designs & sculptures. It also has the sacred Papal Altar, Baldacchino, and invaluable sculptures such as the Pieta.
What is St Peter's Basilica made out of?
St. Peter's Basilica is primarily built using travertine stone.
Is St. Peter’s Square part of the St. Peter’s Basilica architecture?
Yes. St. Peter's Square is an extension of the Basilica, almost welcoming its visitors with open arms.
What sculptures are part of the St. Peter’s Basilica architecture?
The architecture of the Basilica includes a variety of sculptures created by various artists. The Monument to Pope Alexander VII, The Pieta, and St. Andrew Sacristy are among the main attractions.
What tombs are part of the St. Peter’s Basilica architecture?
The Tomb of St. Peter is the literal pillar on which St. Peter's Basilica is built, aside from which, Popes from yesteryears were laid to rest.
Is St Peter's Basilica constructed in Baroque or Renaissance style?
The architecture of St. Peter's Basilica uses elements from both the Baroque and Renaissance styles.
Who designed the altar in St Peter's basilica?
The Papal Altar in St. Peter's Basilica was designed by Bernini.
Who designed St. Peter's Square?
St. Peter's Square was designed by Bernini between 1657 -1667.
