- Address: Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Vatican City, Vatican City
- Project: Giovanni Bernini
- Opening: 1667
The grandiose St. Peter's Square in the Vatican collects thousands of tourists every day. It was located right next to the Catholic Cathedral of St. Peter (on the idea of one of the pontiffs). This amazing place has become the historical and Christian value of the Vatican . Two semicircles of the square, and in the center a forty-foot obelisk looks like a keyhole from a bird's eye view. On the contour of the semicircles there are small connected columns that have become a frame. And a little further, beyond them, a white line is inscribed. It's strange, but almost nobody pays any attention to it, although this is quite an important state drawing. What does it mean? The state border, which separated Rome from the Vatican.
History of creation
At that time, instead of St. Peter's Square in the Vatican, there were beautiful gardens and a circus of Nero. In the great circus in time, the Apostles Peter and Paul were executed. Nero decided to perpetuate his famous circus and turned to the scandalous Caligula. It was he who brought to the Vatican a forty-foot obelisk from Egypt. This required not one hundred workers and a dozen chariots. Eventually, in the fourth century, Caligula was able to cope with his task and delivered an obelisk to St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. Initially, he stood in the very center of the circus. Nero wanted this remarkable building to be visible from anywhere in the Vatican, and, accordingly, in Rome. The obelisk in St. Peter's Square became the only of 13 that survived to this day.
In the sixteenth century, from the circus of Nero and the gardens there was no trace. The square at that time was a large rectangular space. It was filled with soil, so during the rainy season the terrain turned into a viscous swamp. Pope Julius the Second began construction of the majestic cathedral, accordingly, the square in front of him spoiled the whole picture. Pope Six The Fifth helped Yulia clean the obelisk and the space itself from defilement, followed by the area to be put in order. The design of the famous St. Peter's Square in the Vatican was handled by Lorenzo Bernini, who was able to perfectly connect it with the facade of the cathedral.
Sunday Square
At St. Peter's Square in the Vatican every Sunday, a considerable number of tourists and Catholics gather. What attracts them so much? Everyone is waiting for the appearance of the Pope. Every Sunday at 11.00 the pontiff appears on the balcony of St. Peter's Cathedral to bless people and pilgrims. After the blessing, he, along with all, recites the prayer "Angel of the Lord." Such reading causes admiration and an incredible sense of unity among all who will attend the event. If the weather is rainy outside, the meeting and reading of the prayer takes place in the hall of the cathedral. Unfortunately, not everyone can get there, because the hall is only for 3000 people and the entrance is exclusively for tickets. Now they are worth 12 euros and it's impossible to get them on the next Sunday, there are too many people. Tickets can be bought, as well as at the entrance to the cathedral on any everyday day, or on the site www.selectitaly.com. For those who did not manage to get to the solemn audience of the pope, a live broadcast is conducted on a huge monitor from the outside of the cathedral.
Fountains
On St. Peter's Square in the Vatican you will see two wonderful fountains. They were created in completely different epochs and by various famous authors, but at the same time they look like twins. The fountain that is on the left side of the square (if you stand with your back to the cathedral) was erected in 1614. This work brought fame and recognition to the architect Carlo Moderno. The fountain's design became the very first in Rome, quite unusual and at the same time delicious. In 1667, Gian Lorenzo Bernini was able to repeat the work of the master and created a second similar fountain, only on the right side of the square. Thus, some symmetry was added to the space. Both fountains simply fit perfectly into the baroque style of the cathedral and add St. Peter's Square some kind of harmony.
How to get there?
It is quite easy to get to St. Peter's Square in the Vatican. You should take the bus at number 64 and get off at the Largo Di Porta stop. Leaving the bus, you will need to climb the block in the north direction. Obelisk on the square will be for you at this point a certain guide, so that you definitely will not get lost. Of course, it's easier to get there by car. Via della Conciliazione takes you to the right place.
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