Pétros ení: A digital experience of Saint Peter’s Basilica

Fabbrica di San Pietro | Microsoft | Iconem | DADADA studio

“Pétros ení” (“Peter is here”) is an immersive exhibition exploring the story of the apostle Peter and the world’s largest Christian basilica. A journey that weaves together spirituality, art and technology in a unique blend of past and present.

The exhibition unfolds within the historic spaces of the Basilica, expertly restored for the occasion by the skilled artisans of the Fabbrica di San Pietro. The display is housed in the Octagon Rooms, spaces specially opened to the public for the first time for this occasion, located inside one of the pillars supporting the Dome.

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The narrative journey follows two paths. One reveals the origins of the Basilica and its construction history, focusing on the tomb of Saint Peter. The other guides the visitor through the key events of the apostle’s life, up to his martyrdom. The story of Peter is interwoven with that of the Basilica, which is shown as it evolves through the centuries.

“Pétros ení” is therefore a temporal and spiritual journey built around the figure of Saint Peter and the relevance of his testimony, which lives on reflected in the history of the Basilica and its living community.

The project is the result of a wider collaboration between the Fabbrica di San Pietro, Microsoft, Iconem and other international partners. It centres on a process that made it possible to digitise Saint Peter’s Basilica in 3D using over 400,000 photographs, creating a faithful ‘digital twin’, supported in addition by artificial intelligence.

This model not only allows visitors to virtually explore the Basilica in a totally innovative way — through a journey that began over two thousand years ago — but that also serves as a powerful tool for the maintenance, management and preservation of the immense artistic heritage contained within it.



Coordination and Artistic-Scientific Direction: Fabbrica di San Pietro

Father Francesco Occhetta - Project Coordinator

Peter Zander - Scientific Direction

Michele Capasso - Knowledge Design

Father Agnello Stoia - Narration

Elisabetta Curzel - Project Management

Giulia Milani - Organizational Secretariat

Audiovisual Concept: Iconem

Scenographic Design and Visual Identity: DADADA

Musical Composition: David Chalmin

Audiovisual Engineering: Orphéo

Scenographic Installation: Manu Kalvé