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See the throne of Peter the apostle at St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's BasilicaSt. Peter's Chair

The throne of St. Peter, commonly known as St. Peter's Chair or Cathedra Petri, is a relic found in the apse of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. One of the most sacred symbols of Christendom, St. Peter's Chair is celebrated as a mark of authority of St. Peter, the first Pope of the Church.

See St. Peter’s Chair at St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter's Chair

St. Peter | The First bishop

St. Peter's Chair

Where is St. Peter's Chair located?

The Chair of St. Peter's is located in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. As you enter the Papal Altar of the Basilica, you will notice the massive Baldacchino at its center with the dome right above it. Behind this structure is the Altar of the Chair which consists of a grand bronze structure which encloses St. Peter's Chair.

Feast of the Chair of St. Peter

St. Peter's Chair

A brief history of St. Peter's Chair

For the Catholic Church, the Chair of St. Peter is a very sacred relic. According to some stories, St. Peter used to sit on this very chair during his sermons. Although archeologists differ on the authenticity of the chair, it has been considered an important relic since the first century, after the death of St. Peter. 

It was kept for a long time in the monastery of St. Martin before the Pope decided to bring it home to St. Peter's Basilica. The chair was studied in detail many times, with the last time it was removed from the sculpture being in 1968.

Who built St. Peter’s Chair?

St. Peter's Chair

Construction of St. Peter’s Chair

St. Peter's Chair

Design & architecture

St. Peter's Chair is an important architectural achievement for the Vatican. As the Pope initiated the construction of the enclosing sculpture, it was entrusted with the best artist available in Rome - Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

St. Peter's Chair

The original Chair

The legend is that St. Peter used this chair to deliver his sermons. The chair was believed to be made of oak wood, but inspection over the years shows that it was reinforced with ivory and iron. During the middle ages, the newly elected Pope was to be enthroned on the Chair of St. Peter.

St. Peter's Chair

Bronze covering

Bernini was entrusted with creating a cover to preserve the chair. He chose gild bronze as the medium to create this enclosing structure. The design was ornate in tradition with the baroque-style popular at that time. He has even incorporated messages from the Bible and symbols of Papacy in the structure.

St. Peter's Chair

Statues of doctors

The sculpture's base contains the life-size statues of four Doctors of the Catholic Church. Each of these statues is over 5-meters tall. The names of the saints are Saint Ambrose, Saint Augustine of Hippo, Saint John Chrysostom, and Saint Athanasius. These statues are designed to create the illusion they are floating in the sky while supporting the throne.

St. Peter's Chair

Angels

Angels appear on both sides of the symbolic bronze chair guarding the wooden chair behind. A pair of Cherub angels sit on the top of the chair while holding the keys of St. Peter’s in one hand and supporting the Papal tiara, which is placed directly above in the air, in the middle of the chair.

St. Peter's Chair

Glass window and dove

The structure has the backdrop of a golden alabaster glass window. It's decorated with statues of playful angels in the clouds. At the center of the window is a dove, a symbol of the holy spirit. The window pane is divided into twelve sections to pay tribute to the Twelve Apostles.




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Frequently asked questions about St. Peter's Chair

Q. What is St. Peter's Chair?

A. St. Peter's Chair is an ancient throne believed to have been used by the Apostle for his sermons.

Q. Where is the Chair of St. Peter located?

A. The Chair of St. Peter is located in the apse of St. Peter's Basilica.

Q. How old is the Chair of St. Peter?

A. The Chair of St. Peter dates back to the 1st century.

Q. Did St. Peter really use the chair?

A. It is widely believed that this was the same chair used by St. Peter during his sermons.

Q. Who designed St. Peter's Chair?

A. The enclosing structure around the chair was designed by Bernini.

Q. When did Bernini build St. Peter's Chair?

A. Bernini built the Chair of St. Peter between 1647 and 1653.

Q. How long did Bernini take to built the Chair of St. Peter?

A. It took Bernini six years to complete the Chair of St. Peter.

Q. Why is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrated?

A. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is celebrated every year to honor the authority of the Apostle and his contributions to the Church.

Q. When is the Feast of the Chair of St. Peter celebrated?

A. The Feast of the Chair of St. Peter is celebrated on 22nd February every year.

Q. Can I visit the Chair of St. Peter?

A. Yes. You can take a look at the Chair of St. Peter at St. Peter's Basilica.