On Oct. 27, the Vatican will show off the restored centerpiece of St. Peter’s

The 10-month project to fix up the huge metal and wood canopy in the middle of St. Peter’s Basilica is almost done. The Vatican announced on Tuesday that the public will be able to see the finished work on Oct. 27.

The carved canopy that stands over the main altar has been covered with scaffolding since February as a major restoration project was carried out. The work was originally created in the 17th century by a group of artists led by the famous Baroque sculptor and builder Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

“An explosion of colors, an explosion of perfection,” said Rev. Enzo Fortunato, head of media for the basilica. The work, which cost about 700,000 euros ($770,000), helped show what was there.

A baldachin is another name for the canopy. It was made over the spot where the Vatican says St. Peter, the first pope, was buried after dying as a Christian martyr under the rule of Nero (54–68 AD).

Gold details cover the darkened bronze structure, and a gold cross on a sphere sits on top.

One of the restorers was shocked by how much gold was on the building, since some of it had been covered in paint before. “It was truly amazing,” Carlo Usai said. “Every small part, every detail of the canopy is exceptional.”

Public will be able to see the restoration for the first time on Oct. 27 when Pope Francis leads Mass, according to Cardinal Mauro Gambetti, who is archpriest of the Basilica and head of the Fabric of St. Peter’s, the Vatican group in charge of keeping the church in good shape.

A bronze reliquary by Bernini is being restored at the back of the church, and a new glass pane is being made to protect Michelangelo’s statue of the Pieta, which is kept at the front of the church.

The Vatican wants the work to be done before the Catholic Holy Year starts on Christmas Eve 2025. Tens of millions of people are expected to visit Rome during this time.