The Dome


The impressive dome which soars majestically towards the sky (h.137 meters) was designed by Michelangelo (1475-1564). It looks like a giant tiara, crowning the tomb of St. Peter. Construction, ordered by Pope Sixtus V was begun in 1588 and took only 22 months. Eight hundred men worked day and night (by torch-light) under the direction of the architect Giacomo Della Porta (1540-1602) who increased the overall height by seven meters and modified Michelangelo's original plans. It is the largest dome ever built at that height. "The immense structure seems to be balanced against the Roman sky, as if by miracle, free of all weight. It is awesome, and yet its lines are simple. This rare blend of strength and grace, of power and faith seems to summarize the genius of Michelangelo himself and it has become the monumental symbol of the Rome of Christ and the Popes much as the Colosseum is the symbol of the Rome of the Cesars" (Carlo G. Paluzzi. It can be seen from anywhere in Rome and Catholic
pilgrims salute it solemnly as soon as they glimpse it from afar, because it is the symbol of the Church and the seat of the Papacy. It is almost impossible to imagine the Roman skyline without its grandiose outlines which are a source of joy and spiritual comfort. Even the sun caresses it with its rays so that it has been described as "red at dawn, opaline in the early morning, silver in the afternoon and purple at twilight." (G. Turcio).
 
 

Inside the Dome

After the tomb of Peter, we raise our eyes to admire his glory.

The splendor of the 96 figures in the mosaic is overwhelming, the gaze is drawn towards the center, to the high lantern that rises another 18 meters where, as if in a vision, is the glorious figure of the Eternal Father, with arms outstretched in blessing towards Peter's tomb. He seems to be repeating Jesus' words to Peter, "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jona". We can read the words of Peter's investiture that circle the dome "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven." (Matt. 16,18-19).

The dome is decorated in mosaic in the three colors of Medieval mysticism, blue, gold and red. The triumphal decoration is divided into sixteen sections that converge at the top of the dome and are divided into six horizontal circles:

1. the busts of the first sixteen popes buried in the basilica;

2. the great figure of Christ triumphant surrounded by the Virgin Mary, St. John the Baptist, St. Paul and the Twelve Apostles;

3. sixteen angels holding the symbols and instruments of Christ's passion;

4. flights of winged cherubs;

5. angels reverently looking down at Peter's tomb;

6. flights of winged seraphs.

Standing beneath the dome one gets the impression of belonging not to the "militant" church, but rather to the triumphant church. Although the dome expounds the theory of glory, it also recalls the pain, it rests on pillars in which the relics of Christ's passion are conserved to tell us that only through suffering can we reach God. Per Crucem ad lucem.

This triumph was designed by G. Cesari, known as the Cavalier d'Arpino (1568-1640), who completed it in 1603 with the help of the era's best mosaicists, Turchi, Torelli, Rossetti, Abatini and Serafini.