San Pietro in Vincoli

This church is called San Pietro in Vincoli, or St. Peter's in Chains. It is a large church up on the hill from the Colosseum. It is most famous for the tomb of Pope Julius II. The tomb was carved by Michelangelo.

Interestingly, Julius II was the Pope who decided to build St. Peter's Basilica and he wanted his tomb to be right behind the altar. He hired Michelangelo to design and sculpt the tomb. Unfortunately, he died before the whole tomb was finished and before St. Peter's was finished. The next Pope had other ideas, and so Julius' tomb ended up at San Pietro in Vincoli.

The tomb is famous for the beautiful sculpture of Moses, the central figure at the bottom. The photos really don't do it justice. It is quite beautiful and so detailed! In the top photo, above Moses' head, is the actual tomb of Julius II.










What is more interesting about this church is what it was really named for. Below the altar in a crystal and bronze urn, are the chains that bound
St. Peter during his imprisonment by the Romans in Jerusalem. Quite striking.
-Terri