St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Square in Rome, built between 1656 and 1667, is one of the most important sights of the city with the associated St. Peter’s Basilica. It is part of the Vatican City. The state border between Vatican City and Italy is formed by the colonnades, which consist of 284 fifteen meter high columns of the Tuscan order.

St. Peter’s Square in Rome with the Vatican Obelisk

Pope Alexander VII had the approximately 35,300 m² St. Peter’s Square built in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. He commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who built the square between 1656 and 1667. The square has an elliptical shape and is framed by 284 colonnades, fifteen meters high, Doric columns. The colonnades are arranged in four rows. 140 statues of saints, each 3.2 meters in size, rise on the parapet. The greatest width of the square is 240 meters, the depth 340 meters

In the middle of the square is the Vatican Obelisk (Obelisk Vaticano). The square was laid out in such a way that the paving of the square descends towards the center. The aim was to be able to overlook the assembled crowd. There are also two fountains on the square. The northern fountain in the piazza is the work of Carlo Maderno (1613), the southern one by Carlo Fontana (1675).

Every Wednesday morning the Pope holds a general audience in St. Peter’s Square.

St. Peter’s Basilica in St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s Basilica can also be found in the square. It is the largest church in the world and much more than just the most important building in Christianity. The impressive church building not only has an incredible appearance, but also impresses with the pompous interior. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Address

Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano

Opening hours

If there are no masses on Square, it is always freely accessible.

Entry

Visiting the place does not cost any money.

Tickets & tours