St. Peter's Square

St Peter's Square, also known as Piazza San Pietro, is one of the most renowned and beautiful squares in the world, set in front of St. Peter’s Basilica is a gorgeous piazza. It was built in the seventeenth century by Bernini and can accommodate approximately 300,000 people. St. Peter's Square is one of the world's most famous and picturesque squares. It is situated at the foot of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Bernini designed and built the square between 1656 and 1667, with Pope Alexander XII's blessing. Other than being one of the most beautiful historical sites in Vatican City, the piazza is an architectural marvel with much to appreciate.

A huge colonnade that extends from the church and unfolds into a broad, curving form that surrounds the main piazza frames the plaza. Aside from its grandeur, the square's most notable feature is the colonnade of four rows of 284 columns and 88 pilasters that surround it. Above the columns are 140 sculptures of saints sculpted by Bernini's students in 1670. The square's proportions are impressive: 320 meters long and 240 meters broad. More than 300,000 people have gathered in St. Peter's Square for liturgies and other notable activities. The obelisk and two fountains, one by Bernini (1675) and the other by Maderno (1614), stand out in the square's center. The obelisk, which stands 25 meters tall, was transported from Egypt to Rome in 1586.

This open space, which is a local icon, hosts a variety of religious and cultural events throughout the year, including the Papal Audience. Thousands of people visit St. Peter's Square each year to remember its history, attend events, or simply appreciate its beauty.

Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Citta del Vaticano, Vatican City