Dr. Paolo Alei

This lecture will virtually take you on a pilgrimage to the Basilica of Saint Peter in Rome as envisioned by Bernini in the 17th century. We will ideally walk on the Bridge of Castel Sant’Angelo and through Piazza San Pietro to reach the glorious Baldacchino, and finally the Cathedra Petri, instrument of preparation and wait for the end of time. Bernini conceived the whole pilgrimage route as a Theatrum Sacrum, a sacred theatrical path with an increasing angelic presence which literally turns into a theophany around the final destination—metaphoric vision of the New Jerusalem.