Vatican officials unveiled plans Thursday, Jan.11, for a year-long, 700,000 euro restoration of the monumental baldacchino, or canopy, of St. Peter's Basilica, pledging to complete the first ...

Pope Urban VIII commissioned Bernini in 1624 to design and build the enormous canopy over the Papal Altar of the Confession, located directly over the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle.

A view of the 17th century, 95ft-tall bronze canopy by Giovan Lorenzo Bernini surmounting the papal Altar of the Confession in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican on Jan. 10, 2024.

St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most awe-inspiring structures on the planet, is not just a Renaissance masterpiece—its ...

Workmen inspect the base of the 17th century, 95ft-tall bronze canopy by Giovan Lorenzo Bernini surmounting the papal Altar of the Confession in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan ...

A view of the top part of the 17th century, 95ft-tall bronze canopy by Giovan Lorenzo Bernini surmounting the papal Altar of the Confession in St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan ...

The structure, which is positioned over the basilica’s main altar to provide a ceremonial covering for the tomb of St. Peter underneath, dates from the 1620s-1630s, when Pope Urban VIII ...

A view of St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024. Vatican officials unveiled plans Thursday, Jan. 11 for a year-long, 700,000 euro restoration of the 17th century, 95ft-tall ...