SAINT PETER'S, Interior - Conclusion

After having renovated the area of the high altar with the baldachin, Bernini placed the spectacular Chair of Saint Peter at the end of the basilica's long, central viewpoint. The "chair" is the ancient wood and ivory throne that you can see surrounded by rejoicing saints and angels. A symbol of the Pope's authority, the chair seems to be suspended in mid-air, held up by the statues of the four Doctors of the Church. Notice also the dove in the middle of the oval window above it: this is the symbol of the Holy Spirit, set among clouds, angels, and rays of stucco and golden bronze.

But that's not all: Bernini created two more scenographic sculptures for the basilica. The first is in the atrium and is the statue of Emperor Constantine, and in the left transverse arm you can see the Tomb of Pope Alexander VII. In this last work Bernini once again took advantage of the effect different colors and materials can create, bending the red marble to simulate the folds of rich fabric.

Bernini was helped by numerous assistants in all the works for San Pietro: the construction site was practically a style gym where all the main sculptors and architects of the Roman Baroque period "worked out"....