Kofc - Fondazione Cavalieri di Colombo - Knights of Columbus

In the 15th century, at the request of Pope Pius II (Piccolomini, 1458-1464), the statues of Sts. Peter and Paul were placed at the foot of the stairway in front of the ancient basilica of Saint Peter.

Some attribute these valuable works to Paolo Romano, others to Mino da Fiesole, others still to Mino del Reame. When the 16th-17th century church was built, the architect Carlo Maderno kept the two statues in front of the new facade, just in the front of their original position; and in 1667, when the grand colonnade was completed, Bernini positioned...