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Gianluca Pica
San Pietro - Alberto Angela
We basically know, about Rome, its two main monuments: Colosseum and St Peter (that usually is also generically named as Vatican). But the St Peter's Basilica is really one of the most impressive and important architecture of the whole Rome, something that was firstly erected at the IV century a.D.. Knowing its history means to concentrate on a fundamental changement for the Eternal City, when it became a Christian city from a pagan one.
The author, Alberto Angela, is very famous here in Italy. It is easy to see him on TV, counting episodes or curiosities about art, nature, history and other aspects of Italy. This illustrated book, being one of his works, couldn't be banal and ordinary. Thanks to his classic educational style, sometimes ironic and sometimes professional, Alberto Angela leads us through the amazing and tangled history of the St Peter's Basilica, that is not just a church.
Turning the pages and admiring the awesome pictures, images and reconstructions, you will see how was the first basilica, the reason why it was built excatly where it stands today, what the roman emperor Costantine did in order to commission it, the medieval raids, the bumbling renaissance restorations, until the present days. You will read about the most famous masters and architects (like Bramante, Raphael or Michelangelo) who tried to realize the projects to make the St Peter's Basilica. You will also see, on this book, some works of art that usually are impossible to see. And then you will understand what is the relationship between St Peter and his church, and what there is below the building.
A lot of people, especially here in Italy, think that Alberto Angela is a sort of guarantee. And in this case I can say yes, it is true. The book is perfect for everybody: who wants to have a guide book usefull to know some details about the basilica, but even a good source to understand deeply something about this worldwide famous basilica. The curiosities are always good of course, but if Alberto Angela tells them, I think that we could'nt ask for something better!
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