A-Level: Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Cathedra Petri (Chair of St. Peter)


Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Cathedra Petri (or Chair of St. Peter), gilded bronze, gold, wood, stained glass, 1647-53 (apse of Saint Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, Rome)

According to tradition, St. Peter himself, the founder of the institution of the Church and considered the first pope, sat on the ancient wooden chair that is encased within this larger bronze and gold chair.

Cite this page as: Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker, "A-Level: Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Cathedra Petri (Chair of St. Peter)," in Smarthistory, July 18, 2017, accessed March 18, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/bernini-cathedra-petri-chair-of-st-peter-2/.