Old St. Peter's Basilica Overview

Old St. Peter's Basilica was a significant religious site located in Rome, Italy. Constructed during the 4th century, it was the largest church in Christendom and a symbol of the power of the papacy. The basilica was built on the site where Saint Peter, the first Pope, was believed to be buried. The St. Peter's Basilica was originally built by Emperor Constantine the Great and was decorated with many works of art, including mosaics and frescoes. Throughout its long history, the basilica underwent several renovations and additions, including the construction of a bell tower and several chapels. Old St. Peter's Basilica was an important pilgrimage site for Catholics and a center of religious and political power in medieval Europe. It was also the site of many important historical St. Peter Basilica events, including the coronation of several popes. Unfortunately, the basilica suffered from neglect and decay over the centuries, and by the 16th century, it was in a state of disrepair. In 1506, Pope Julius II commissioned the construction of a new basilica, which eventually led to the demolition of the old basilica in the 16th century.

Architecture & Design of Old Peter’s Basilica

Structure
Structure

Old St. Peter's Basilica was built in a cruciform shape with a nave, transept, and apse. It had five aisles, a central nave, and two side aisles on each side. The nave was 103 meters long and 46 meters wide. The transept was 65 meters long, and the apse was 30 meters wide.


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Materials
Materials

The structure of the Old St. Peter's Basilica was primarily made of brick and concrete. The walls and columns were faced with marble, and the roof was covered in wooden trusses and lead sheets. The floors were made of colored marble, and the ceiling was decorated with gold mosaics.


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Mosaics
Mosaics

The interior of the Old St. Peter's Basilica was adorned with beautiful mosaics depicting scenes from the Bible and the lives of saints. The mosaics were made of small pieces of glass and stone set in plaster. The most notable mosaics were located in the apse, depicting Christ with saints and angels.


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Tombs
Tombs

The Old St. Peter's Basilica was known for its numerous tombs, including that of St. Peter himself. The St Peter's tomb was located under the high altar and was marked by a bronze baldachin. Many other popes and important figures in Church history were also buried in the basilica.

Columns
Columns

The columns were arranged in rows of four, with each row separated by an arch. The arches were decorated with intricate carvings and mosaics depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the saints. The columns themselves were also adorned with beautiful carvings and inscriptions, adding to the grandeur of the space.


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Stefaneschi Triptych
Stefaneschi Triptych

The Stefaneschi Triptych was a famous altarpiece located in the Old St. Peter's Basilica. It was created by the Italian painter Giotto in the early 14th century and depicted scenes from the lives of St. Peter and St. Paul. The triptych was commissioned by Cardinal Giacomo Stefaneschi, and its panels were made of tempera on wood.

Location of Old St. Peter’s Basilica

Location of Old St. Peter’s Basilica

The Old St. Peter's Basilica was located on Vatican Hill, near the Tiber River in Rome. It was situated on the site where St. Peter, the Apostle, and first pope, was believed to be buried. The location was a significant one as it was seen as a holy place, making it a prime location for the construction of a basilica. The basilica was built on a grand scale, and its massive size made it a prominent landmark in the city of Rome. It was surrounded by a large courtyard and was approached by a grand colonnaded forecourt that led to the entrance of the church.


The location of the Old St. Peter's Basilica was strategic, as it was situated close to the heart of the Roman Empire. It was a place of pilgrimage for Christians from all over the world and became a center of the Christian faith. Today, the location of the Old St. Peter's Basilica is marked by a monument, known as the Obelisk of Axum. The monument is located in St. Peter's Square and serves as a reminder of the rich history of the location, where the old basilica once stood as a symbol of Christianity and a center of worship.

History of Old St. Peter’s Basilica

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Who Constructed Old St. Peter's Basilica?
Who Constructed Old St. Peter's Basilica?

Old St. Peter's Basilica was constructed under the orders of Roman Emperor Constantine the Great. However, it is believed that the initial idea for the construction of a great church at the site was suggested by St. Peter himself, who was martyred and buried on this spot in 64 AD.


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When Was Old St. Peter’s Basilica Built?
When Was Old St. Peter’s Basilica Built?

The construction of Old St. Peter's Basilica began in the early 4th century AD and was completed in 329 AD, and it took almost 30 years to complete it entirely. The location of the basilica was chosen to coincide with the site where St. Peter was believed to have been buried.


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Why was Old St. Peter's Basilica built?
Why was Old St. Peter's Basilica built?

The primary reason behind the construction of Old St. Peter's Basilica was to provide a fitting tribute to St. Peter, who was considered one of the most important apostles and the first pope of the Catholic Church. Additionally, the construction of the basilica was seen as a way of consolidating the power and influence of the newly converted Christian faith in Rome and throughout the empire.


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Events at Old St. Peter’s Basilica

In the fourth century, Emperor Constantine I saw the need for a church to be built in Rome over Saint Peter's grave. Old St. Peter's Basilica gradually gained significance and attracted more than a thousand people to attend mass, making it a significant pilgrimage site for travelers. The basilica also hosted important religious and cultural ceremonies, including Papal coronations. In 800, Charlemagne has crowned Emperor of the Roman Empire in the basilica.


Old St. Peter's Basilica was a well-known and respected religious site, which unfortunately led to the Saracens raiding and partially destroying the church, including St. Peter's Tomb in 846. Pope Leo IV carried out repairs, and the church continued to thrive for over a thousand years as the most important church in Rome.

What Happened To Old St. Peter’s Basilica?

What Happened to Old St. Peter’s Basilica?

Old St. Peter’s Basilica was one of the most significant Christian churches in the world. However, over the centuries, the basilica experienced many changes and unfortunate events. It was the largest church in Christendom for over a thousand years until it was eventually demolished to make way for the current St. Peter's Basilica.


The basilica was ravaged and plundered several times in history. The Saracens looted and damaged the church in 846, after which it was rebuilt by Pope Leo IV. The basilica was later struck by a significant earthquake in 1343, which caused severe damage, and was repaired by several Popes throughout the years.


By the 16th century, the church was in a state of disrepair and no longer fit for Papal ceremonies. This led to the decision to tear down the church and replace it with a more magnificent one, which resulted in the construction of the current St. Peter's Basilica. Many of the significant works of art and precious relics were carefully transferred to the new basilica, and some were donated to other churches. Today, the only remains of the Old St. Peter’s Basilica are the foundation and the Floor Plan of St Peter's Basilica, visible in the Vatican excavations below the current basilica.

St. Peter’s Basilica Today

St. Peter’s Basilica Today

The current basilica was built between the 16th and 17th centuries after the old basilica had become dilapidated and was deemed unsafe for use. Pope Julius II commissioned the construction of the new basilica in 1506 and several famous architects, including Michelangelo, Bramante, and Bernini, were involved in its design and construction.


The new basilica features a Latin cross design with a massive dome at the center. The interior of the basilica is adorned with exquisite marble statues, mosaics, and paintings, including Michelangelo's iconic sculpture, the Pieta. The altar, designed by Bernini, is made of bronze and includes a baldachin, a large ceremonial canopy that covers the altar and is supported by four spiral columns.


Today, the modern St. Peter's Basilica is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Rome, attracting millions of visitors every year. It is also a place of pilgrimage for Catholics from all over the world who come to see the tomb of St. Peter and to attend a mass celebrated by the Pope.


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FAQs

What happened to the old St. Peter's Basilica?

    The old St. Peter's Basilica was demolished in the 16th century to make way for the current St. Peter's Basilica.

Where was Old St. Peter’s Basilica built?

Why was Old St. Peter's Basilica demolished?

Who built Old St. Peter’s Basilica?

Who was buried in Old St. Peter's Basilica?

What was the old St. Peter's Basilica used for?

Are there any remains of Old St. Peter’s Basilica?

What is Old St. Peter’s Basilica?

When was the current St. Peter’s Basilica built?

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