Art Lessons 2026

On the occasion of the fourth centenary of the Dedication of St. Peter's Basilica, consecrated on November 18, 1626 by Pope Urban VIII Barberini, the Fondazione Musica per Roma is dedicating a series of Art Lessons on the ancient and new Vatican Basilica at the Auditorium Parco della Musica (Teatro Studio Borgna), to celebrate the religious, historical, and artistic importance of this grandiose monument erected over the tomb of the Apostle Peter.

The 400 years since the Dedication represent a significant anniversary that can also be linked to the completion of the construction of the Constantinian basilica, which, according to an uncertain tradition, was commissioned by Pope Silvestro in the year 326. After 1200 years, the ancient basilica was showing clear signs of structural fragility, so already around the mid-15th century, the Supreme Pontiffs considered building a new church. Thus, on April 18, 1506, Pope Julius II laid the first stone of the new Vatican Temple: thus began an unprecedented artistic and spiritual adventure, an undertaking that lasted over a century and led to the progressive demolition of the Constantinian and medieval basilica. Indeed, this undertaking gave rise to a monument to which no other in the world has benefited from the contributions of so many famous architects such as Bramante, Raphael, Antonio da Sangallo, Baldassarre Peruzzi, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Giacomo Della Porta, Domenico Fontana, Carlo Maderno, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

The five lectures lead the audience through various moments in the long history of Christianity's quintessential Temple. The ancient 4th-century Basilica, built by Emperor Constantine, is illustrated by Professor Paolo Liverani, Professor of Ancient Topography and a member of the Accademia dei Lincei. Bernini's presence in St. Peter's, with particular attention to the recent restoration of the gilded bronze Baldachin, is explored by Professor Pietro Zander, Head of the Necropolis and Artistic Heritage Section of the Fabbrica di San Pietro. Bernini's work in the Vatican is presented by Barbara Jatta, Director of the Vatican Museums, while Professor Nicoletta Marconi leads the audience inside the Basilica's Baroque construction site, revealing its secrets. The series ends with a talk dedicated to Bernini and Borromini's Roman construction sites by Professor Mario Bevilacqua.

> Program

Photo: official poster of the event