St. Peter's Baldachin

In the apse of St. Peter's Basilica is the monument the Chair of St. Peter, designed by Bernini in his maturity. It was made in the form of a great bronze throne, supported by the statues of four Doctors of the Church, two of West, St. Augustine and St. Ambrose, and two from the east, St. John Chrysostom and St. Athanasius. This whole set is called the "Gloria". It serves as the background for the main Eucharist celebrated in the Basilica. Its solemnity and beauty are spectacular. I recommend you stop for a moment to contemplate it while you sit on a bench and, if you're lucky, you may hear some

The canopy is a type of shrine that has 4 columns supporting a dome designed to protect the altar. The most famous of all is the canopy of the Cathedral of St. Peter's Basilica, ordered to be constructed by Pope Urban VIII. It was constructed of bronze and has a height of 26 meters. This canopy is the most important piece in the basilica and lies over the tomb of St. Peter and lies just below the dome of Michelangelo.