San Pietro in Montorio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids San Pietro in Montorio |
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| Chiesa di San Pietro in Montorio | |
Façade
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| 41°53′19″N 12°28′00″E / 41.8886°N 12.4666°E | |
| Location | Piazza di S. Pietro in Montorio 2, Rome |
| Country | Italy |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Tradition | Roman Rite |
| Website | , unsafe |
| History | |
| Status | Titular church, national church |
| Dedication | Saint Peter |
| Consecrated | 1500 |
| Architecture | |
| Architect(s) | Donato Bramante |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Groundbreaking | 1481 |
| Administration | |
| District | Lazio |
The San Pietro in Montorio church, which means "Saint Peter on the Golden Mountain" in English, is a famous church in Rome, Italy. It has a special small building in its courtyard called the Tempietto. This little building was designed by Donato Bramante and is a memorial to Saint Peter.
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History of San Pietro in Montorio
The Church of San Pietro in Montorio was built on a very old site. Before this church, there was another church from the 800s dedicated to Saint Peter. This church is on Rome's Janiculum hill. Many people believe this spot is where Saint Peter was crucified.
In the 1400s, the old church ruins were given to the Amadist friars. These friars were a special group of Franciscans. The church was rebuilt with money from Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain. It was officially opened in the year 1500 by Pope Alexander VI.
Today, it is a titular church. This means a cardinal is linked to it. Since 2008, James Francis Stafford has been its cardinal.
Art and Design Inside the Church
The inside of the church is filled with amazing artworks. These were created by famous artists from the 1500s and 1600s.
One of the most famous paintings, Transfiguration by Raphael, used to be here. It was moved to the Vatican in 1797. Now, a copy of another famous painting, Crucifixion of St. Peter by Guido Reni, is on the main altar. Many people believe that Beatrice Cenci, a famous historical figure, is buried under the main altar.
- The first chapel on the right has two paintings by Sebastiano del Piombo: Flagellation and Transfiguration. Michelangelo, another very famous artist, even helped with drawings for the Flagellation painting.
- The second chapel has a fresco by Niccolò Circignani from 1554. It also has older frescoes from the school of Pinturicchio.
- The fourth chapel has a ceiling fresco by Giorgio Vasari.
- The fifth chapel's ceiling has another fresco by Vasari, called Conversion of St. Paul.
- The last chapel on the left has a painting called Baptism of Christ. It is thought to be by Daniele da Volterra.
- The third chapel has a fresco of Saint Anne, Virgin, and Child. This was painted by a student of Antoniazzo Romano.
- The Pietà Chapel has a painting called Entombment by Dirck van Baburen. He was a Dutch artist who was inspired by Caravaggio.
- The second chapel on the left, called the Raimondi Chapel, was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1640. It includes sculptures by Francesco Baratta, Andrea Bolgi, and Niccolò Sale.
Tombs of Irish Chieftains
Near the main altar, you can find the tombs of important Irish leaders. These include Hugh O'Neill, who was a powerful Irish chief, and his son Hugh. Also buried here are Rory O'Donnell, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell, and his brother Cathbharr.
These leaders had to leave Ireland in 1607 in an event known as the Flight of the Earls. Rory died in 1608, and his brother Cathbharr and Hugh O'Neill's son died in 1609. They all died from a fever, likely malaria. Their tombs are covered with marble slabs that have colorful designs and family symbols.
Hugh O'Neill himself died in 1616 and was also buried in this church. His original tombstone was lost, but the words on it were copied down. In 1989, a new marble plaque was placed in the same spot with the original inscription.
The Tempietto: A Small Temple
The Tempietto means "small temple." It is a small memorial building designed by Donato Bramante. It was likely built around 1502 in the courtyard of San Pietro in Montorio. The King and Queen of Spain, Ferdinand and Isabella, asked for it to be built. The Tempietto is seen as a masterpiece of Italian architecture from the High Renaissance period.
Images for kids
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Dirck van Baburen.jpg
Dirck van Baburen. Entombment, for the Pietà Chapel.
See also
In Spanish: San Pietro in Montorio para niños
