|
The exquisite square of Saint Peter's in Rome was architected by Gian Lorenzo Bernini between 1656 an 1667. The square measures at 240 meters wide and is embraced by a colonnade consisting of 284 Doric columns and 88 pilasters in travertine marble, surmounted by six coats of arms of Alexander VI, and 140 statues of the saints; 90 designed by the pupils of Bernini, along with another 50 statues, which were added later in 1702 by Pope Clement XI, on the walls and pillars that link the square with the basilica.
In the middle of the square once can admire an Egyptian obelisk, built by the Romans in Alexandria, Egypt in the 1st century B.C., dedicated to Augustus, later moved to Rome where it was originally placed in the ancient hippodrome and entertainment park once belonging to the emperor Nero, but in 1586 had it moved to Saint Peter's Square, by Pope Sixtus V, where it remains to be the main focal point of the piazza.
From the obelisk toward the fountain on the right, are white marble discs used as sundial markers for the obelisk. Two dates are inscribed on each disc to indicate when the noon shadow of the obelisk will reach this spot. There are also four discs showing the points of the compass as 'winds'.
Two beautiful fountains are also found in the square; the first one, found on the northern side and facing the basilica, was built in 1614 by Carlo Maderno during the papacy of Pope Paul V.
This fountain includes the coat of arms of the Borghese family along with an eagle, while the second fountain, done by Bernini by the will of Pope Alexander VII, is found on the other side, decorated with two dolphins and the coat of arms of Pope Clement X, pope when the fountain was completed in 1676.
Between the obelisk and the fountains in the pavement, we can see discs in white marble used as sundials.
Two enormous statues of two apostles of Jesus; Saint Peter and Saint Paul, are found on each side in front of the large stairway leading up to the entrance of the church.
The current statues were placed in the piazza between 1838 and 1847; the originals done between 1458 and 1464 are currently found in a room of the Library of Sixtus IV, in the Apostolic Palaces.
The magnificent bronze doors used to enter the Apostolic Palace are found on the right of the colonnade and are guarded constantly by the Vatican's Swiss guard.
|
