St. Peter’s Square

Discover St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, Rome, Italy. Explore its rich history, Bernini's iconic design, and the ancient obelisk in this spiritual heart.

Overview

St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro in Italian) is a monumental plaza situated directly in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, the smallest independent state nestled within Rome, Italy. Designed by the visionary architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the square serves as a grand and welcoming embrace, drawing millions of pilgrims and visitors from across the globe each year. [2, 8, 12, 13]

Its immense elliptical shape, flanked by magnificent colonnades, leads the eye towards the awe-inspiring facade of St. Peter’s Basilica. At its heart stands an ancient Egyptian obelisk, a silent witness to centuries of history, flanked by two graceful fountains. [2, 8, 13]

History & Cultural Background

The origins of St. Peter’s Square as we know it today trace back to the 17th century. Prior to Bernini’s design, the area was an open space used for papal audiences. [2] Pope Alexander VII commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to create a grand and functional forecourt for St. Peter's Basilica, capable of accommodating large congregations who came to receive the Pope's blessing. [3, 8]

Construction of the square commenced in 1656 and took eleven years to complete, finishing in 1667. [2, 3] Bernini’s masterplan was not merely architectural but deeply symbolic, intended to represent the “maternal arms of Mother Church” reaching out to welcome believers. [8, 12] The ancient Egyptian obelisk, a central feature, was originally brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula in 37 AD and was later moved to its current position in 1586 by Domenico Fontana under Pope Sixtus V, predating Bernini’s square design. [2, 8, 13, 14]

What Makes It Special

The sheer scale and harmonious design of St. Peter’s Square are what truly set it apart. The colonnades, a defining feature, consist of 284 Doric columns and 88 pilasters arranged in four rows, creating an optical illusion. [2, 4, 6] If you stand on one of the two marble discs embedded in the paving between the obelisk and the fountains, the four rows of columns appear to merge into one, a testament to Bernini's architectural genius. [6, 13, 18] These colonnades are topped with 140 statues of saints, martyrs, and popes, each over three meters tall, gazing towards the sky. [3, 6]

The Vatican Obelisk, a red granite monolith, stands at 25.5 meters (84 feet) tall, and with its cross, reaches approximately 41 meters (135 feet). [5, 8, 14] It is unique among Rome's obelisks for never having toppled since antiquity. [8, 11] The square itself is vast, measuring approximately 320 meters long and 240 meters wide, capable of holding up to 300,000 people during major events. [7, 10, 11, 12]

Stories, Fun Facts & Local Details

• The Living Sundial: In 1817, round stones were placed in the square to mark where the tip of the obelisk's shadow would fall at noon on different days, effectively turning the obelisk into a colossal sundial. [5]
• Mussolini's Road: The grand Via della Conciliazione, the road leading directly to St. Peter's Square, was constructed under Benito Mussolini in the 1930s. This project demolished a medieval neighborhood, creating the broad vista we see today, though altering Bernini's original intention for pilgrims to emerge from narrow streets into the sudden grandeur of the square. [12, 23]
• Symbolic Keys: From an aerial perspective, the square and its connecting arms are sometimes seen to resemble a keyhole, a subtle nod to the keys of Heaven entrusted to Saint Peter. [18]
• No Papal Ashes: For centuries, it was believed that the gilt ball atop the obelisk contained the ashes of Julius Caesar. However, when it was removed in 1586, only dust was found inside. [8, 13]

Visitor Perspective

Visiting St. Peter’s Square is an unforgettable experience, offering a sense of history, spirituality, and architectural grandeur. Entry to the square is free and accessible year-round. [4, 12, 13] For those wishing to attend a Papal Audience, these typically take place on Wednesday mornings when the Pope is in residence, drawing significant crowds. [4, 17] Early mornings (7 am to 9 am) or evenings (around 6 pm to 7 pm) are often recommended to avoid the peak crowds, especially during high season. [4] While there is no specific dress code for the open square, modest attire covering shoulders and knees is required for entry into St. Peter's Basilica itself. [4, 13]

The square acts as a gateway to exploring St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel, all within Vatican City. [11, 19] Many visitors enjoy taking in the breathtaking views of the Basilica's dome from the square, or even climbing the dome for panoramic vistas of Vatican City and Rome. [4, 9]