San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome

This basilica was built between 432-440 to house the relic of the chains that bound ST PETER when he was imprisoned in JERUSALEM.

The MOSES a famous sculpture by MICHELANGELO housed here depicts MOSES with horns onhis head

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Our guild told us before going in that this is "a small church" - its huge inside compared to most in the states. There are a lot of interesting artwork, most gets overlooked due to the famous "Moses" by Michelangelo. Don't leave before taking a full look around at all the artwork. Also known as Saint Peter in Chains, since the relic is known as the chains that Saint Peter wore in prison while in Rome. Easy walk from the Colosseum, just up the hill. Nice little Gelato and sandwich place near by.

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One of the most humbling places in Rome that's not in the Vatican is this 12th century church of St. Peter's in chains. As legend has it St. Peters woke one night to see and an angel who told him to get up and walk out of prison, when St. Peter stood the chains holding him down fell and St. Peter walked out...so those chain are here on display along side one of Michealangelo's masterpiece's... a tomb for a pope...can't remeber the name of the tomb or pope but it's amazing (see the 2nd pix), give your self about an hour here, admission is free but a donation is accepted to help maintain the church !!!!

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This church was commissioned by Pope Leo I to house the chains that supposedly held St. Peter while he was imprisoned - first in Jerusalem and then in Rome. Built in the 5th century over the remains of an Imperial villa, it has been restored and rebuilt several times since.

Besides the chains - which can be seen in a glass case near the high altar- the biggest reason to make a stop-in is to see Michelangelo's Moses. Commissioned for the lavish tomb of Pope Julius II, it was one of only two pieces completed after Julius' death before the the next Pope set the poor sculptor (who much preferred hacking away at marble to dabbling at ceilings) to work on the Sistine Chapel. The two knobs on Moses' head was a misinterpretation of the Hebrew description for the rays of light that shone from his face when he came down from the Mount. Translated to Latin, it came out as "horns". He looks cranky 'cause, well, there was this unfortunate incident involving a golden calf...

The church is in the same general vicinity (Esquiline) as the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, which makes it convenient to give both a look-see while in the area. Open 7 - 12:30 and 3:30 - 7:00 (6:00 Oct-March) daily. Free.

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Translated: "Saint Peter in Chains" This church has an unassuming facade, but what it stores inside is where it's real beauty lies. This church is famous for housing Michelangelo's "Moses" statue. It was originally was carved for the tomb of Pope Julius II. It also houses on display the chains that St. Peter was bound with when he was imprisoned in Rome. I believe this church is one of those "must sees" when on your visit to the "Eternal City". You could walk right past this church and not realize what your missing, so if your visiting Rome, be sure to have it marked on your map and in your mind.

My favorite place to visit in Rome is San Pietro in Vincoli or the Church of St. Peter in Chains. It contains one of Michelangelo's great masterpieces, the Statue of Moses, which was to be the centerpiece of a massive 47-statue, free-standing funeral monument for Pope Julius II with horns on the head of the statue. The horns are meant to symbolize the radiance of the face of Moses. The church is very close to the coliseum and is an easy walk. It is on the western side of the Esquiline Hill. The church was built by the Empress Eudoxia in the 5th century (432-440). The Empress's purpose in having the church constructed was to provide a place to honor the chains from St. Peter's imprisonment that she had collected from Jerusalem and Rome. The chains are contained in a glass case near the main altar. Michelangelo's Moses is so breathtaking because it is so beautiful. The Moses sits between St. Rachel who represents the contemplative life and Saint Lia who represents the active life. There is no fee to enter this church, so it can be enjoyed by everyone.

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In a non descript church of few blocks North of the Colosseum is San Pietro in Vincole is not only "the chains the held Saint Peter" but also Michelangelo's Horned Moses. The Moses is really cool, but the chains are the most dramatic.

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According to Roman standards, San Pietro in Vincoli is reletively small church. It has almost insignificant facade but its interiors is rich of magnificent works of art. Those who are not fammiliar with probably wont even stop by.
The church was built by Eudoxia, daughter of Theodosius the Younger and wife of the Emperor Valentinian III. The basilica was called Eudoxiana or more commonly San Pietro in Vincoli (St. Peter in Chains). The portico was constructed in the 15th century for Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, the future Pope Julius II, who ordered Michelangelo to build him a funeral monument.