San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome

San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome

The church of San Pietro in Vincoli or Saint Peter in Chains was built in the 5th century to house the chains (vincoli) that held St. Peter when he was imprisoned in the Mamertino prison (or Jerusalem as per an alternate version), from where he was rescued by an angel.

The church of San Pietro in Vincoli or Saint Peter in Chains was built in the 5th century to house the chains (vincoli) that held St. Peter when he was imprisoned in the Mamertino prison (or Jerusalem as per an alternate version), from where he was rescued by an angel. The legend of the chain from Mamertino fusing miraculously with the chain from Jerusalem to form a single shackle is depicted in Parodi’s fresco The Miracle of the Chains painted on the central panel of the nave. A relic of great significance for Catholics, the chains are preserved in a glass and bronze display under the main altar which many pilgrims visit to pay homage. For most other visitors, the centre of attraction is Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of Moses, flanked by Leah and Rachel. Originally intended as part of a monument to Pope Julius II, the graceful marble statue of Moses carved to perfection and the rest of the tomb was placed here while the Pope was buried in the Vatican. The horns on Moses’ head have been the subject of much speculation and discussion, now attributed to a mistranslation of the Bible which led to them taking the place of ‘rays of light’. Other treasures in the church include a 7th-century mosaic of St. Sebastian, a votive offering to the saint to mark the end of a plague. To reach the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli, get off Metro B at Cavour, talk Via Cavour and take the flight of steps through the arch.