St. Peter.27s Basilica Baldachin

bernini s baldacchino in st peter s, rome

pope urban viii commissioned gian lorenzo bernini design , construct large structure placed on main altar, believed above tomb of saint peter, in new st. peter s basilica. canopy imitated cloth in bronze, did many subsequent imitations. famous , spectacular feature called baldacchino , though strictly ciborium.

bernini s design baldachin incorporated giant solomonic columns inspired columns ringed altar of old st. peter s. these columns donated constantine, , false tradition asserts columns temple of jerusalem. lowest parts of 4 columns of bernini s baldachin have helical groove, , middle , upper sections of columns covered in olive , bay branches, populated myriad of bees , small putti. pope urban viii s family coat of arms, of barberini family, signature bees, @ base of every column.

all of these combine create feeling of upward movement.