Why did Julius II commission a new St. Peter’s Basilica?

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Medallion depicting Pope Julius II — Julius II Julius II, contemporary medallion; in the coin collection of the Vatican Library.

Pope Julius II commissioned the new St. Peter’s Basilica primarily to create a monumental setting for his own tomb, which he envisioned as an embodiment of the power and nobility of his position.1

The decision was further driven by the poor condition of the original Old St. Peter’s Basilica, which had been crumbling for some time. By replacing the ancient structure, Julius II sought to advance his broader vision of re-creating the ancient Roman Empire—a concept known as renovatio imperii—and to establish the papacy as a formidable secular power. The project, entrusted to the architect Donato Bramante, became one of the most ambitious building endeavors in history, intended to reflect the grandeur of the church and the pope's own legacy.1234