Unveiling the Treasures of San Pietro in Vincoli: A Journey through Roman Station Churches

Welcome back to Crux Stationalis, the Roman Station Church Network. Today, we explore the hidden gem that is San Pietro in Vincoli, also known as Saint Peter in Chains. This minor Basilica, nestled away from the bustling streets of Rome, holds a rich history and is home to Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the statue of Moses.

San Pietro in Vincoli, or Saint Peter in Chains, is a place of great significance, yet it is excluded from the popular pilgrimage route known as the Sette Chiese, or Seven Church pilgrimage. In this blog post, we invite you to join us on a virtual journey through this remarkable Roman Station Church.

As you ascend the steps leading to San Pietro in Vincoli from Via Cavour, you’ll experience a sense of calm, leaving behind the noisy streets of Rome. Imagine approaching the church on the Monday of the first week of Lent, joining a procession bathed in sunlight, chanting the Litany of the Saints.

The Basilica, also known as the Basilica Eudoxiana, was first rebuilt in the 5th century to house the chains that bound Saint Peter during his imprisonment in Jerusalem. The chains, now kept in a reliquary under the main altar, miraculously fused together when compared to those from Saint Peter’s final imprisonment in Rome’s Mamertime Prison.

The Basilica, consecrated in 439 by Pope Sixtus III, has undergone several restorations over the centuries. Notable additions include the front portico attributed to Baccio Pontelli in 1475 and the cloister attributed to Giuliano da Sangallo between 1493 and 1503.

Frescoes adorning the apse walls depict scenes from the legend of the Crucifix of Beirut, which allegedly bled when profaned.

The aisles are surmounted by cross-vaults, while the nave has an 18th-century coffered ceiling, frescoed in the center by Giovanni Battista Parodi, portraying the Miracle of the Chains (1706). Cristoforo Roncalli also completed a beautiful altarpiece of the Deposition.

As you explore the Basilica, don’t miss the mosaic of Saint Sebastian from the 7th century. This mosaic is related to an outbreak of plague in Pavia, Northern Italy, where the relics of Saint Sebastian were taken to stop the epidemic.

The highlight of San Pietro in Vincoli is undoubtedly Michelangelo’s Moses, part of Pope Julius II’s funeral monument. Described as a masterpiece, the statue portrays Moses in a serious attitude, resting with one arm on tablets and holding his long glossy beard. Michelangelo’s attention to detail, especially in rendering the soft and downy beard, is truly remarkable.

Thank you for joining us on this exploration of the Roman Station Church of San Pietro in Vincoli. We hope you’ve enjoyed uncovering the rich history and artistic treasures hidden within its walls. Stay tuned for more virtual journeys through Rome’s captivating Station Churches. See you tomorrow at Sant’Anastasia!