Basilica · Italy · Still standing

San Pietro in Vincoli

Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli

San Pietro in Vincoli is a Roman Catholic titular church and minor basilica on Rome's Oppian Hill, founded in the 5th century and rebuilt in the Renaissance. It is best known for housing Michelangelo's statue of Moses as part of the tomb of Pope Julius II and for preserving the relic said to be the chains that bound Saint Peter.

Recreate Basilica to Explore →

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

First raised

AD 401

Its prime

1545

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1545

What San Pietro in Vincoli looked like in its prime.

A wide stone stair rises to a Renaissance portico of five large round arches supported on six octagonal columns of pale marble; a tall wrought-bronze grille closes the portico to the street. Above the portico the façade is plain ochre stucco with simple rectangular windows. Inside, a longitudinal basilica of three aisles is divided by a rhythmic colonnade of ancient Doric marble columns; the right transept contains the monumental marble tomb ensemble with the seated Moses. The attached convent cloister opens onto a rectilinear courtyard with a central sculpted well.

Step inside

8 places to explore in 1545.

The record describes 8 distinct spots at San Pietro in Vincoli, including 5 interiors: central nave facing the apse, view from the apse toward the entrance, right transept — julius ii mausoleum with michelangelo's moses and more. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more photos, more angles and more of the immersive experience.

Approach from the piazza and stepsPortico and entrance gateCentral nave facing the apseView from the apse toward the entranceRight transept — Julius II mausoleum with Michelangelo's MosesPresbytery and the chains of Saint PeterSacristy behind the tombConvent cloister and courtyard with well

Build Your Own Castle