Tourists Sightseeing St. Peter`s Basilica Narthex Vatican Editorial Photo

Behind the façade of St. Peter`s stretches a long portico or `narthex` such as was occasionally found in Italian churches. This is the part of Maderno`s design with which he was most satisfied. Its long barrel vault is decorated with ornate stucco and gilt, and successfully illuminated by small windows between pendentives, while the ornate marble floor is beamed with light reflected in from the piazza. At each end of the narthex is a theatrical space framed by ionic columns and within each is set a statue, an equestrian statue of Charlemagne 18th century by Cornacchini in the south end and The Vision of Constantine 1670 by Bernini in the north end.Five portals, of which three are framed by huge salvaged antique columns, lead into the basilica. The central portal has a bronze door created by Antonio Averulino c. 1440 for the old basilica and somewhat enlarged to fit the new space. Basilica di San Pietro,UNESCO World Heritage Site