A Michelangelo Masterpiece 99% of People Miss When Visiting Rome!

Michelangelo’s iconic sculptures are undoubtedly David and Moses. The original David is in Florence, while the original Moses is right here in Rome! 🎨 The original Moses is housed in Basilica di San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains Basilica)—a seemingly unremarkable church near the Roman Colosseum. Without prior research, it’s incredibly easy to miss! ⛪️ Founded in the 5th century CE, the basilica gets its name from the sacred relic it houses: the chains that bound St. Peter (San Pietro) during his imprisonment in Jerusalem before his martyrdom. These chains are enshrined in a glass reliquary beneath a gilded baldachin supported by black marble columns. Above it, the dome painting depicts The Last Judgment, creating a striking visual connection. ✝️ The basilica’s ceiling mural, The Miracle of St. Peter’s Chains, painted by Italian artist Parodi, is exquisitely crafted and truly a treasure! 🖼️ Of course, the undisputed star of the basilica is Michelangelo’s Moses! I’m not qualified to judge just how extraordinary this sculpture is—so let’s turn to the reviews of some famous figures: - “This statue is an unattainable masterpiece in the world of sculpture. When you gaze at Moses, you’ll wish to cover his face with a veil, for Michelangelo has depicted the divine face God bestowed upon Moses so brilliantly and dazzlingly that it’s almost unbearable to look at.” — Giorgio Vasari ​ - “The great secret of the artistic effect of the Moses statue lies in the artistic contrast between the fiery passion within the figure and the calmness of his external posture.” — Immanuel Kant ​ - “In front of such an artistic treasure, I felt an unprecedented spiritual shock.” — Sigmund Freud ⚠️ Admission is free, and no reservation is required! ⚠️ It’s NOT open 24/7! It’s NOT open 24/7! It’s NOT open 24/7! It closes from 12:30 to 15:00! I was the last person to leave that noon and happened to see the staff member locking up—he had an Asian appearance, and I suspected he might be from Shanxi (a province in China) or of Shanxi descent… though I have no evidence for that. 😂 #Rome #Michelangelo #Moses #ItalyTravel #David #Renaissance #Church #RomanHoliday #RomeTravel