Rome's Two Patron Saints

Private Tours of the Vatican Museums

St Peter by Giuseppe de Fabris

St Paul by Adamo Tadolini

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The two colossal statues of St Peter and St Paul, which stand to either side of the steps leading up to St Peter's Basilica, were originally commissioned by Pope Gregory XVI (r. 1831-46) for the basilica of San Paolo fuori le Mura.

​The ancient church of San Paolo fuori le Mura had been almost destroyed by a fire, which broke out during the night of  July 15th, 1823, and was in the process of being rebuilt. However, owing to delays in its reconstruction, Gregory's successor, Pius IX (r. 1846-78), decided to erect the statues in their present position. 

The statue of St Peter (1835-8) is the work of Giuseppe de Fabris (1790-1860), while that of St Paul (1836-40) is by Adamo Tadolini (1788-1868).