The Restoration of Bernini’s Baldacchino in St. Peter’s Underway for 2025 Jubilee Year in Rome

The Baldacchino, created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini as commissioned for St. Peter’s Basilica in 1624 by Pope Urban VII, is being restored in time for the 2025 Jubilee Year that attracts a substantially increased amount of visitors and pilgrims to Rome. Having not been restored in any capacity since 1738, the main alter canopy has been subjected to discoloration and decay. One of the main causes of this deterioration are the immense amount of visitors that attend the basilica; an amount that can reach up to 50,000 people a day. During his years in Rome, Bernini created a wide range of sculptural works. However, the Baldacchino was his first work that combined his skills in sculpture into an architectural context.

The canopy, central to the rest of the basilica, emphasizes the main alter. The imagery that decorates the piece includes angels, laurel leaves, and bees; reflecting both the Baroque period as well as the Barberini family who commissioned the work. It stands at about 92 feet high and is made out of a variety of materials, including wood, which has been a large reason for the works’ decay.

Given the Jubilee year approaching in 2025, the restoration project of the Baldacchino came about at the beginning of this year, 2024. A Jubilee year, being associated with themes of renewal and newness is the perfect occasion for the restoration of such a monumental religious artifact. In order to restore the alter canopy, the archaeological team for St. Peter’s basilica is planning a multi-phased plan. By first using 3-D models, and subsequently beginning the intense restoration work, the team is going to finalize the canopy’s repair by going in with soft brushes to fine tune its appearance.

The restoration project is being funded by the Knights of Columbus, which is a Catholic fraternal order that was established in 1882. It is expected to cost around 700,000 euros by its completion, which should be before this upcoming year.

Source(s):

https://www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/the-restoration-of-the-baldachin-of-st-peter-s/the-baldachin.html

https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256925/photos-restoration-of-berninis-baldacchino-begins-in-st-peters-basilica

https://www.ewtnvatican.com/articles/restoring-the-worlds-most-famous-altar-2199

St. Peter’s Baldacchino Under Restoration for 2025 Holy Year

-Samantha Wolfe