Overview:

St. Peter's Square is located in the heart of Vatican City, the spiritual center of Roman Catholicism. The entire square covers approximately 41,000 square meters and is surrounded by lavish gardens, including the papal gardens. At the center of the square, stands a grand, marble-domed Baroque church, St. Peter's Basilica, which was officially built in 1626 to honor the Apostolic See and to serve as a church for the papal court and its many visitors. St. Peter's Square is one of the main focuses of Catholic pilgrims’ longing for years to experience the Grandeur and Magnificence of this sacred place. The square is a major tourist destination year-round due to its stunning beauty and grandiose features, such as its 132-meter fountains, grand colonnades, and a gigantic obelisk dating to antiquity. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

1. Colonnade – This impressive semicircular colonnade of 284 columns radiating out from the central hub of the square was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. 2. Statues – There are also four statues of saints, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, placed around the square – St. Petronilla, St. Veronica Giuliani, St. Helena and St. Longinus. 3. Papal coat-of-arms and other symbols – The Papal coat-of-arms is proudly displayed on the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica and the square itself features a number of other papal symbols, such as the crosses and keys of St.Peter. 4. Obelisk – A 25-meter Egyptian obelisk, made of pink granite and dating back to the 1st century A.D., stands in the center of the square and was moved from Rome’s Campus Martius in 1586. 5. Fountains – Bernini also designed the two impressive fountains at each side of the square to supply water for pilgrims. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

St. Peter’s Square is the large, formal square located in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1656-1667 to form a monumental gateway to the Vatican. The square has a large space in the center which is adorned with two fountains, one. At the center of the square, a giant Egyptian obelisk rises high into the air. The square is also encircled by two semi-circular colonnades of 284 columns that symbolize the embrace of the Christian faith. The modern St. Peter’s Square is the result of a transformation from its square predecessor, the Piazza San Pietro that had been there since the 15th century. In 1656 Pope Alexander VII commissioned the prestigious Gian Lorenzo Bernini to transform the area, creating the majestic and breathtaking design that we can admire today. Bernini’s renovations included the two beautiful Baroque fountains, the colonnade, and a paving of travertine marble from Tivoli. Today, the square is an important spiritual and cultural center for citizens of the Vatican City, and for tourists visiting the area. It is often the site of large ceremonial gatherings and events, such as canonisations, religious celebrations, and political rallies. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) is the largest and most iconic plaza in Vatican City. It lies directly between St. Peter's Basilica and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, the Apostolic Palace. 2. St. Peter's Square was designed by Italian Renaissance artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1668 on the orders of Pope Alexander VII. 3. It is shaped like a giant keyhole with two curves of radiating colonnades framing the space. Its oval shape symbolizes a hug extended to the faithful by the Catholic Church. 4. The colonnades are decorated with 284 marble statues, 140 of which are of saints. 5. St. Peter's Square is made up of roads as well as a powerful geometric area, featuring two sets of converging radial lines which form an ellipse and draw people towards St. Peter’s Basilica. 6. It is the site of major events and ceremonies such as the canonisation of new Saints and solemn Papal Masses celebrated by the Pope. 7. The most iconic feature of St. Peter's Square is the colossal, 25-metre-tall, 5-metre-wide obelisk which was originally brought from Egypt and erected in the Circus of Nero in 37AD. It was moved to the centre of the Square in 1586 by Domenico Fontana. 8. On the south side of St. Peter's Square, there are four major fountains built in 1677 by Bernini. Each one is characterised by a unique design featuring seashells and heraldic emblems of Rome. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.