anu(e)scape

2003.9.1 9:40 AM EST, Cannon Powershot S40, 1/500 sec., F/2.8, ISO 50.

Saint Peter's Cathedral, Basilica di San Pietro, was originally the Circus of Nero, where St. Peter was crucified, martyred and buried in 61 AD. In 200, an altar was built, where Peter was believed to be buried. In the first century Rome's Christians did not have their own cemeteries. If they owned land, they buried their relatives there, otherwise they resorted to common cemeteries, where pagans too were buried. That is how Saint Peter came to be buried in the great public "necropolis" ("city of the dead") on Vatican Hill.

In 342 Constantine built the first basilica. By the 15th century, it was falling apart, and in the early 16th century Bramante began plans for a church. In 1506 Pope Julius II placed the first stone of the new church, that took over a century to build, and involved all the great architects at the time. Michelangelo finished Bramante's plans and Giacomo della Porta took over the project at Michelangelo's death in 1564 and raised the dome by the end of the century in 1593. Carlo Maderno made a few changes to the church and completed the Facade in 1614.

2003.9.1 10:05 AM EST, Cannon Powershot S40, 1/3 sec., F/2.8, ISO 50.