San Pietro in Vincoli

Description:

• In the 7th century a church was built in order to house the chain from Constantinople that was said that to have been one of two used to bind St Peter when he was in prison carcere mamertino. The second chain was sent to Rome at a later date and when it was brought into the church it miraculously attached itself to the other chain. You can still see these chains under the altar, and this is how the church got its name 'San Pietro in Vincoli', meaning St Peter in chains. The church is also renowned for the tomb with the famous statue of Moses by Michelangelo, which was commissioned by Pope Julius II. Richly decorated with frescoes, the interior houses works by Guercino and Giovanbattista Parodi, as well as a beautiful mosaic icon of St Sebastian from the 7th century. The cloister, built at the end of the 15th century, is also worth visiting.
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