Papal Basilica of Saint Peter Constructed
November 18, 1626 · Early Modern
Construction of the present St. Peter's Basilica began on April 18, 1506, under Pope Julius II, replacing the deteriorating 4th-century basilica built by Emperor Constantine. Donato Bramante produced the initial centralized Greek-cross plan. After his death in 1514, successive architects — including Raphael, Antonio da Sangallo, and Michelangelo, who redesigned the dome — modified the design over more than a century. Carlo Maderno extended the nave into a Latin-cross plan, and the main structure was completed in 1615 under Pope Paul V.
Key Figures
Michelangelo BuonarrotiPope Julius IIDonato BramanteCarlo MadernoPope Urban VIIIGian Lorenzo Bernini
Locations
RomeVatican CitySt. Peter's Basilica
Topics
ItalyVatican CityRenaissance ArchitecturePapal Basilica of Saint Peterrome
Connected Events — 2 Connections
Pope Leo X's fundraising campaign for St. Peter's Basilica motivated the indulgence sales that Luther challenged, as Tetzel was selling indulgences to finance the basilica project The Reformation begins
Michelangelo's reputation from completing the Sistine Chapel ceiling under Pope Julius II directly led to his appointment as chief architect of St. Peter's Basilica, where he designed the iconic dome that became the architectural centerpiece of the Vatican Sistine Chapel Ceiling Completed
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