St. Peter's Square
Italy
view of the church, visit of the square and the colonnade
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Saint Peter's Square, or Piazza San Pietro, the monumental gateway to the Vatican and one of the most iconic Public Squares in the world. This architectural masterpiece was designed by the legendary Gian Lorenzo…
Listen in the app2The Colonnade — Bernini’s Maternal Embrace
The defining feature of the square is the massive colonnade, consisting of two hundred eighty-four Doric columns arranged in four rows. Bernini designed these rows with incredible sensitivity to space, creating three inviting…
Listen in the app3The Vatican Obelisk — Silent Engineering
At the very center of the square stands the ancient Egyptian obelisk, a three-hundred-sixty-ton monolith carved from a single piece of red granite. Brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula in the first century AD, it once stood in the…
Listen in the app4The Twin Fountains — Symmetrical Grace
Flanking the central obelisk are two 'seemingly identical fountains' that grace the square with symmetry and the cooling sound of water. The fountain on the right (northern side) was designed by Carlo Maderno and installed in…
Listen in the app5The Border and the Palace — Living Geopolitics
As you walk toward the edge of the square, look for the 'white line' etched into the floor. This is not just a marker; it is the international border between Italy and the Vatican City State. …
Listen in the app6The Basilica Facade — Maderno’s Portal
The 'majestic facade' of Saint Peter's Basilica commands the entire square. Built by Carlo Maderno between 1607 and 1612, it was a controversial addition because it significantly lengthened the nave, partially obscuring the view…
Listen in the app7A Marker of History — The Assassination Spot
In a square filled with ancient triumphs, there is one 'simple yet poignant marker' that commemorates a modern tragedy. Located between Maderno’s fountain and the statue of Saint Paul is a small stone that marks the 'exact spot'…
Listen in the app8Closing
As you complete your walk through Saint Peter's Square, take a final look at the 'sheer scale of the colonnades embracing you'. Bernini succeeded in his goal: he created a space that feels like a 'history book brought to life,'…
Listen in the app
What is St. Peter's Square?
St. Peter's Square is a place in Italy with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Italy |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 41.9022, 12.4573 |
| Last updated |
Nearby places
within a 5-minute walk
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