Saint Peter's Square
| St. Peter's Square, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, is a monumental plaza in Vatican City. It features a massive elliptical space surrounded by colonnades, symbolizing the embrace of the Catholic Church. The square is adorned with an ancient Egyptian obelisk, two fountains, and statues of saints. It serves as a gathering place for papal audiences and major religious events, accommodating hundreds of thousands of pilgrims and visitors. |
| St. Peter's Basilica, located in Vatican City, is one of the largest and most significant churches in Christianity. Built between 1506 and 1626, it replaced the old St. Peter's Basilica from the 4th century. The church, designed by renowned architects including Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini, is renowned for its Renaissance and Baroque architecture. It houses numerous artistic masterpieces and is considered the burial site of Saint Peter, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ and one of the first leaders of the early Christian Church. |
| The Colonnades of St. Peter's Square, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, consist of four rows of massive Doric columns arranged in an elliptical formation, creating a grand embrace around the square. Completed in 1667, these colonnades symbolize the Church welcoming the faithful. Topped with 140 statues of saints, they frame the approach to St. Peter's Basilica and enhance the visual and spiritual impact of the square. |
Gian Lorenzo Bernini's Doric Colonnades, North
Bernini's Doric Colonnades, South
| |