Vatican City, Italy (Enclave of Rome): St. Peter's Basilica: Nave: Barrel Vault
Authors
Sheppard, Beth M.
Issue Date
May 20, 2017
Type
Image
Language
Keywords
Italy , Vatican City , Rome , St. Peter's Basilica , Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican , Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano , Naves , Sacred Art , Church Art , Basilicas , Barrel Vaults , Pope Pius VI , Coats of Arms , Ceiling Roundels
Alternative Title
Abstract
Description
The nave of St. Peter's Basilica, originally designed by architect Bramante as a central plan at the behest of Julius II to be the largest, most magnificent church in Christendom when it was rebuilt in the early 16th century. Raphael and Michelangelo and later architects such as Maderno and Bernini designed and decorated the elongated nave to create a basilica which would hold large numbers of people and focus attention on the altar; therefore, it incorporates both Italian High Renaissance and Baroque sensibilities. It was begun in 1506 and completed in 1626. According to the Catholic Church, the very holy basilica is the burial site of Saint Peter. This photo shows the barrel vault of the nave's ceiling, which is 90 meters long, 26 meters wide, and 44.5 meters high. It is made up of four bays which are separated by pairs of pilasters that are 25 meters high. The barrel vault is the highest in any church. The photo also shows the coat of arms of Pope Pius VI, which adorns the central roundel.
Citation
Publisher
License
CC BY-NC-SA 4.0