Pope Julius II laid the foundation stone of the new St. Peter's Basilica in 1506, intending to replace the fourth-century church built under Constantine over the traditional tomb of the apostle Peter. The architect Donato Bramante made the first plan, and many great artists followed him: Raphael, Michelangelo, who designed the great dome, and Carlo Maderno, who added the nave and facade. Gian Lorenzo Bernini later created the colonnaded piazza in front. The basilica was consecrated in 1626. The need to raise money for the building through the sale of indulgences was one of the issues that helped provoke the Reformation. Located in Vatican City, it is one of the largest churches in the world.
Before and after
- 14 December 1503Birth of Nostradamus
- 17 January 1504Birth of Pius V
- 8 September 1504Michelangelo's David is unveiled
- from 16 March 1505 to 26 January 1517Mamluk–Portuguese conflicts
- 18 April 1506Construction of St. Peter's Basilica
- 20 May 1506Death of Christopher Columbus
- 1507Founding of Mumbai
- 25 April 1507The name 'America' appears on a map
- from February 1508 to December 1516War of the League of Cambrai
More in Art, literature & culture
- 1540Construction of Westminster Abbey
- 1616Construction of Sultan Ahmed Mosque
- 1670Construction of avenue des Champs-Élysées
- 17th centuryRise of ukiyo-e
- 25 April 1719Publication of Robinson Crusoe
- October 1745Publication of God Save the King
The era
This moment belongs to the Early modern world (1500 CE to 1760 CE), voyages, printing and new ideas. You can also browse everything in the 16th century.