Baldacchino by Bernini
One of the most iconic pieces inside the Vatican’s Saint Peter’s Basilica is Bernini’s Baldacchino. Pope Urban VIII commissioned Bernini to build a grand Baldachin over the supposed final resting place of Saint Peter. A familiar word to Bernini enthusiasts but what does it mean. A Baldachin is a structure that is covering a person or thing with a cloth or silk tarp on top. Bernini made his out of bronze. It mimics cloth and has always been called a Baldachi, but it is more correctly a Ciborium.
The Baldachin is approximately 95 feet high, and weighs over 63 tons it is made of bronze. The spiral columns are made to resemble the columns around Saint Peter’s Tomb that were believed to be taken from Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem. The Baldachin was completed around 1635.
There are bees on the outside of structure that are symbols of the powerful Barberini family of which Pope Urban belonged.
View up through to the dome. The dove represents the Holy Spirit.
Detail of Baldachin
The Baldacchino stands directly over the grave of Saint Peter. I was able to go down into the crypt and see where he is supposed to be buried. These are the stairs leading under to the crypt as well as the resting place of Saint Peter.
Gate to the crypt(L), and tomb of Saint Peter(R).
This is the gateway that the clergy uses to go down into the lower levels. I thought it picture worthy As well as a pier that holds up the one of the four posts of the Baldachin.
I found this to be one of my favorite places inside Saint Peter’s. The entire place is incredible, but this is simply wonderful.
Thank you for reading. More things coming on Saint Peter