St. Peter’s Square
St. Peter’s Square is a grand and world famous square in the center of Vatican City. It is here that crowds of the faithful gather to listen to the Pope’s speeches.
General Information
St. Peter’s Square was built in 1656-1667 by the architect Bernini; its oval part is framed by colonnades of two hundred and eighty-four columns and eighty-eight travertine pillars built in semicircles in four rows. In the center is an Egyptian obelisk, which formerly stood on Nero’s hippodrome, where the Apostle Peter was martyred. By order of Pope Sixtus V, the 322-ton pillar was moved to St. Peter’s Square in 1586.
.There are two fountains in the square. One is the work of Alberto da Piacenza in the early version, it was rebuilt in 1516 by Carlo Maderna, the second fountain was created by Bernini on the model of the first, so as not to disturb the harmony of the square, with the only change: the bowl of the fountain was widened and lowered.
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The dominant feature of the square is St. Peter’s Cathedral. It is the largest Christian cathedral and the center of the Roman Catholic Church. The capacity of the cathedral is about 60,000 people. The height of the dome is 136 meters, the length of the central nave is 211 meters. On the facade of the cathedral are statues of Christ, John the Baptist, and the 11 Apostles.
.The square of St. Peter’s Basilica is marked in such a way that the border of the Vatican State is marked behind the outer side of the colonnade.
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