The Holy Door
Beginning of the Holy Year
Since the year 1500, Holy Years have been inaugurated with the same ritual. The Pope opens the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica by striking it several times with a ceremonial hammer while pronouncing a blessing. The door then opens and the Holy Father passes through it. The holy doors in the other major papal basilicas are also opened at the beginning of a jubilee year and closed again at the end. Many parishes around the world offer their parishioners the opportunity to pass through their own holy door.
Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica
The Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica was donated by the Diocese of Basel in Switzerland in 1949 and crafted by the Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry in Florence. It was designed by Italian sculptor Vico Consorti. The 16 panels of the door wings depict various scenes from the salvation history. The door was consecrated and opened for the first time by Pope Pius XII on 24th December 1949.
Facts
- Location: St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City
- Consecrated and first opened: 24th December 1949
- Designer: Vico Consorti
- Material: bronze
- Design feature: 16 relief panels depicting scenes from the salvation history
Pope Boniface VIII and the Holy Door Folding Card
The first Holy Year was proclaimed by Pope Boniface VIII and took place in the year 1300. This unique souvenir note from the Anno Santo Series is dedicated to Pope Boniface VIII and the Holy Door. It is printed on genuine security paper and features a gold foil patch, UV ink and haptic elements. The front side depicts Boniface VIII, while the back side shows the Holy Door. Under UV light, one of the relief panels from the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica appears on each side. All notes in the Anno Santo Series are available in individual folding cards as well as in a multi-page booklet featuring the entire series.
100,000 Lire
Obverse: Boniface VIII (c. 1235–1303), pope (1294–1303), assistant, papal coat of arms of Boniface VIII, stylized shell
Reverse: Pope opening the Holy Door in St. Peter's Basilica, signature of Pope Boniface VIII, stylized dove
| Dimensions: 145 x 70 mm (5.71 x 2.76 in) Material: Paper |
