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| Bramante |
| Giacomo della Porta |
| Gian Lorenzo Bernini |
| Michelangelo |
Your answer was: Michelangelo. |
Answer: The foundation of the 'old' St Peter's Basilica was laid in 319 A.D. by the first Christian Emperor of Rome, Emperor Constantine. A number of different architects contributed to the building of the new basilica. In1506 Pope Julius II laid the foundation of the new basilica under the leadership of architect Donato Bramante. However, after Bramante, architect Antonio da Sangallo illustrated his idea for the basilica in 1538. Later, an architect named Michelangelo took the responsibility of the church. He gave definitive shape to the design of the church and also conceived the imposing dome. Upon the death of Michelangelo, the construction of the dome was completed by Giacomo della Porta in 1590. With its height of 136 meters (446 feet) and diameter of 42 meters (almost 138 feet), St Peter's has one of the largest domes in the world. You have to climb 551 steps in order to get to the top of the Dome (or 320 if you take the elevator to the interior balcony). The steps are narrow; there is a part where you have to hold on to a rope and bend; it is narrow and dark. Yet, it is a fun experience. Once you reach the top of the Dome, you get breathtaking views of St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Gardens and the city of Rome. 'The Unique Architecture of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City' on St-Peters-Basilica-Tickets.com 
 St Peter's Basilica Prior to Building the Dome 
A Partial Cross-Section of the Drum and Dome A Cross-Section of the Drum and Dome A View of the Drum and Dome A View of the Basilica P90-P93 (1990) |
