Cupolone della Basilica di San Pietro

Panoramic Point Rome, Italy

The dome of St. Peter's covers the cross vault of St. Peter's basilica in the Vatican. It is one of the largest masonry roofs ever built; it has an internal diameter of about 42 meters [1] and brings the overall height of the basilica, from the base to the top of the lantern, to over 130 meters. Its shapes, an expression of the transition from Renaissance to Baroque architecture [2], largely reflect the design of Michelangelo Buonarroti, who worked on it until the year of his death in 1564. It also constitutes one of the most famous symbols of the city of Rome, where it is popularly called Cupolone [3], as well as one of the most panoramic points of the city, with a 360-degree view of the entire Vatican City and almost all the districts of the historic center From Rome.

The dome is the symbol of the Church of Rome and the “beacon” that draws thousands of pilgrims and visitors to the heart of Christianity. It was created by Michelangelo starting in 1546, during the papacy of Paul III, but it was interrupted upon Michelangelo’s death, at the height of the work. 15 years later, with Sixtus V, Giacomo della Porta and Domenico Fontana were ordered to continue with the work for which they were given a lot of resources. As a result, after only 22 months, the work was finished, an event which was celebrated with a solemn mass and fireworks. In the following years, the facing and the lead lining were completed, and the golden bronze sphere, culminating in a cross, was placed.