San Pietro in Vincoli

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San Pietro in Vincoli (“in vincoli”-“in chains” in Italian) was built on the ruins of an ancient temple dating from the 3rd century in 432-440 to house the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem. The Empress Eudoxia, who was the wife of Emperor Valentinian III received them as a gift from her mother, who respectively received them from Iuvenalis, bishop of Jerusalem; the former presented the chains to Pope Leo I. The legend says that immediately after he took them in his hands, a miracle has happened: they suddenly fused. These are now kept under the main altar in the basilica.

Consecrated in 439 by Sixtus III, the basilica was subject to several modifications throughout time, among which a restoration by Pope Adrian I, and some other renovation work in the eleventh century. However, Pope Julius II completely renovated the basilica in the 5th century. The restoration was carried out under the supervision of architect Baccio Pontelli and was completed around 1480. The front portico was built by Baccio Pontelli in 1475, while the cloister has been made by Giuliano da Sangallo. Also, it is worth mentioning it has undergone some restoration at the beginning of the 18th century, under Francesco Fontana, and another renovation was conducted in 1875.

Tomb of Julius II was laid here around 1540, after numerous complications. The contract signed by Michelangelo in 1513 stipulated the creation of twenty-eight figures and three reliefs and their installation in a specific architectural setting. What can be seen now in the basilica, is far from the original idea - only three figures - the famous Moses, sitting between Rachel (the symbol of the contemplative life) and Leah (the symbol of active life). The remains of Julius II, disappeared during the barbaric plunder of Rome in 1527.

The statue of the Prophet looks so real that the master himself forgot it was a stone figure, a product of his own hands. One day, the master had started speaking with Moise. Receiving no answer, he exclaimed: "Why are you so silent?" On the right knee of Moise has a dent that can easily be taken for the trace of the fall of the hammer ...

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By Maria Morari

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