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Who designed Julius II’s first plan for the new St. Peter’s Basilica?
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Julius II
Julius II, contemporary medallion; in the coin collection of the Vatican Library.
The architect who designed the first plan for Pope Julius II’s new St. Peter’s Basilica was Donato Bramante.123
Beginning around 1505, Bramante was commissioned to replace the 4th-century Old St. Peter’s with a new structure of gigantic dimensions. His original design featured a central ground plan in the shape of a Greek cross, with all arms of equal length, centered around a massive dome. The foundation stone for this ambitious project was laid on April 18, 1506.1423