April 18, 1506: Pope Julius II buried a heavy stone in the dirt while four thous

1506 Event

St. Peter's Basilica Cornerstone Laid: Rome's Greatest Church Begins

April 18, 1506: Pope Julius II buried a heavy stone in the dirt while four thousand laborers sweated under Roman sun. They didn't know this single act would drain papal coffers for decades to fund Michelangelo's ceiling and Raphael's halls. The money vanished into marble dust, leaving families hungry while artists painted heaven on high walls. That debt later forced the sale of indulgences that lit a fire across Europe. We still stand in awe of the dome, but we should remember the empty pockets left behind.

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April 18, 1506

520 years ago

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St. Peter's Basilica Cornerstone Laid: Rome's Greatest Church Begins

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