Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli — Attraction in Rome

Unlike many basilicas I've recently visited, this one is not overly filled with art and sculpture and tombs (though it does have each of these and each individual item is worthy of attention and perhaps a photo). Rather than an inundation of stimuli making it impossible to take in any one item, whereupon leaving one struggles to recall the experience in any detail, I trust I will be able to recall both what I saw and my impressions of the basilica and its constituent parts.

(An additional noteworthy aspect that I loved is that only a handful of people were there when I visited just prior to 9 AM, making the cavernous space wondrously empty and accessible. See! Total recall and proof of my point!)

The history of the basilica is very interesting. Constructed in the 5th century over pre-existing structures, it owes its existence to two women, the wife (Eudoxia) and daughter of Emperor Arcadius, both of whom provided funding.

There is an amazing fresco from 1476, produced at the time of a plague; a polychrome marble altar hosts a 7th century mosaic icon of St. Sebastian, he of the Basilica and Catecombs found on the Appian Way heading out of Rome; the Crypt and Altar of the Chains, those supposedly worn by Peter before his crucifixion; and a hulking and stunning Carrara marble tomb of Pope Julius II, with Moses as its centerpiece and sculpted by Michelangelo from 1513 to 1542.

I'm not a religious person and have not been since my adolescence, yet I love great architecture and sculpture. Though the basilica is not much to look at from outside its entrance, twenty stupendous Doric columns greet visitors as they step inside. It's truly a majestic place and worth adding to one's itinerary...

Also known as the Basilica Eudoxiana (Italian: Basilica Eudossiana, it was first rebuilt on older foundations[1] in 432–440 to house the relic of the chains that bound Saint Peter when he was imprisoned in Jerusalem, the episode called "Liberation of Saint Peter". The Empress Eudoxia (wife of Emperor Valentinian III), who received them as a gift from her mother, Aelia Eudocia, consort of Valentinian II, presented the chains to Pope Leo I. Aelia Eudocia had received these chains as a gift from Iuvenalis, bishop of Jerusalem.

According to legend, when Leo compared them to the chains of St. Peter's final imprisonment in the Mamertine Prison, in Rome, the two chains miraculously fused together. The chains are now kept in a reliquary under the main altar in the basilica.[2] A chain link outside of Rome is in St Peter's Church, Rutland, Vermont.[3] Numerous churches to saint Peter bear the Ad Vincula suffix, relating them to the relic, basilica and enchainment of the Roman church-founding saint.

The basilica, consecrated in 439 by Sixtus III, has undergone several restorations, among them a restoration by Pope Adrian I, and further work in the eleventh century. From 1471 to 1503, in which year he was elected Pope Julius II, Cardinal Della Rovere, the nephew of Pope Sixtus IV, effected notable rebuilding. The front portico, attributed to Baccio Pontelli, was added in 1475. The cloister (1493–1503) has been attributed to Giuliano da Sangallo. Further work was done at the beginning of the 18th century, under Francesco Fontana, and another...

Rome is like an open air exhibition where you enrich your mind and soul. Ancient historical monuments such as Colosseum, Trajan's Column , Roman Forum or Hadrian's Arch are overwhelming as much as St. Peter's Basilica with Michelangelo's Pieta or Sixtine Chapel in the Vatican Museum are breathtaking. The entrance fee varies from place to place but, by and large, they are affordable and, most importantly , it's worth every single penny. However, few tourists know that in Rome there is a place with no entrance fees, where you can see the magnificent massive sculpture of Moses made by Michelangelo.and the Reliquary with the chains of St. Peter. This place is called Basilica San Pietro in Vincolo and it takes only 5 minutes to get there from Colosseum . This is indeed a "regalo " which is very much appreciated by tourists

We were so grateful our hotel concierge told us about this Church (rebuilt in13th- century)...the massive sculpture of Moses is amazing! My words can't justly describe it, so, from their website: "The prophet who comes down from Mount Sinai with the Tables of the Law is a majestic work. It also inspires a sense of awe. He arrives to find the Israelites adoring a Calf of Gold. The veins and muscles seem to convey a sense of movement in the sculpture, and an impression of Moses’ fury at what he saw. Moses’ face portrays solemnity and ire." Other aspects of the Old Testament story and figures surrounding it, are Roman interpretation. Surprised it is not in more sightseeing...