In the centre of the cross aisle, under the grand cupola, is the altar, called the
of the
Paul, with those of the early sainted popes. here was the Vatican cemetery, where Anaeletes first buried the body of St. Peter : and a small temple was built over it, which was afterwards pulled down, by order of the emperor Helioga balus, to enlarge the passage for the triumphal cars. Around this shrine were formerly a vast number of lamps, with wicks of continually burning balsam. Pope Calixtus in 1119, repaired and adorned it with costly marble, and consecrated it in the presence of the fathers of the general council convoked by him, and consisting of about a thousand bishops. It suffered no change, though the church was rebuilt in the interval, till the time of' Clement VIII., who, about the year 1600, without removing any part of it, had it erected over the present altar. Paul V., a few years after wards, having enlarged the basilica, as already noticed, adorned this confessional with precious marble, jasper, four alabaster columns, the statues of the two apostles, in bronze gilt, with other ornaments of the same material ; and erected two noble descents, for the convenience of devotees approach ing nearer the sanctuary to pray, around which one hundred and twenty-two silver lamps are continually burning. Urban VIII., at an expense of 100 000 crowns for workmanship alone, employed Bernini to erect a canopy of bronze over this shrine, supported by four twisted columns of the same metal, ornamented with very fine cherubim. modelled by Famingo, and partly gilt ; with other remarkable works east by Rossi.
The height of this canopy, including the cross on its top, is 124 ; 186,392 lbs. of metal were consumed in making it, and, for the gilding, 46,000 crowns of gold.
The grand cupola is said by some to equal that of the ancient Pantheon ; but others insist that it exceeds it by 37 palms in breadth, and 30 palms in height ; being in magni tude 200 palms. The ball is 12 palms in diarneter,•and the cross is 25 feet in height, cast in bronze. The inside of the cupola is covered with mosaic work, from the cartoons of Cay. d'Arpino. The cherubim and flowers are by Ronealli
and Provenzale ; the evangelists, St. Matthew and St. Mark, by Nebbia ; and St. Luke and St. John, by Vecchi. In the pilasters, Bernini opened four galleries, for exhibiting the sacred relics kept within the tabernacles. In that over the statue of Sta. Veronica is said to be part of the holy cross ; the spear that pierced the side of our Lord, (presented by Sultan Bajazet II. to Pope Innocent Ill.) ; and the veil of Veronica, on which the face of Christ is impressed, and brought by her to Route; but to these precious remnants no one is permitted to ascend, except the canons, without special leave of the pope. Over the statue of Sta. Helena, are many other relics, which are publicly exhibited at various times of the year. The eight columns in these galleries are said to have stood originally in Solomon's temple. The four mar ble statues in the niches are each twenty-two palms in height ; that of Sta. Veronica is by Mochi ; that of Sta. Ilclena by 13olgi ; that of St. Andrew, by Quesnoy Fiamingo ; and that of St. Longinus by Bernini ; which last also executed the angels and other ornaments in the galleries. Against the pedestal of each statue is an altar-piece in mosaic, taken from the paintings of Andrea Sacchi.
Near these statues is the descent to the Grotto Vaticani, or the old church, into which women are only permitted to enter on Whit Sunday, when men are prohibited to approach. Il ere is the sepulchre of the apostles, erected by Anacletes, and among the ornaments of the high altar, are a statue of St. James, a l'oliandro col pro Christo, containing many bones found in various piles of marble ; and a chapel, with an image of God the Father, in marble.
On leaving this chapel is observed the old tribune, cf mosaic, repaired by Giotto ; the verses were cut on the frieze of the cornice, and the large cross was on the top of the mcient front. In the chapel of the blessed Virgin are the statues of St. Matthew and St. John ; two sepulchral urns ; various basso-relievos; part of a bull of Gregory Ill. inscribed on marble; besides other curiosities, too numerous to be particularized.