The Piazza San Pietro (Saint Peter's Square) Review

Tanmoy's review

Some scholars insist that the semi-circular "arms" flanking either side of the square represent "the church's open arms", welcoming all those who visit.

From Day 9: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel , Colosseum and Roman ruins in Vatican City on Jun 16 '06

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The View of St. Peter's Square from the Dome Taken from the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica... quite a stunning site and worth the hike up the stairs. 600 steps up, this is the view. A vast swathe of Rome is visible and even snow capped mountains in the distance.
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The Piazza San Pietro (Saint Peter's Square) is a vast, monumental square, a place where the faithful gather every Sunday for mass. When the Pope is in Rome, he conducts the mass from the window of his private quarters. Although the square is an important destination for Catholic pilgrims, it is equally attractive to tourists of all stripes since the Vatican is home to one of the world's most spectacular art collections. The square was constructed between the years 1656 and 1667 by Bernini, who had been commissioned by Pope Alexander VII. The square's elliptical shape and architecture has brought about a number of different interpretations. Some scholars insist that the semi-circular "arms" flanking either side of the square represent "the church's open arms", welcoming all those who visit. Others, in turn, claim that the square's design represents the Pope, the side buildings symbolising his arms and the basilica's cupola the crown upon his head.

One thing about the architecture's design is certain. Amongst the requirements was the stipulation that the Pope's private quarters would be clearly visible to all sections of the square, already anticipating that these would function as the primary place for conducting mass and giving papal addresses.

The two fountains adorning the square are pieces by Maderno and della Fontana, and the Egyptian obelisk was brought over from Heliopolis and placed in the square by Sixtus V in September 1585. The entire elliptical shape of the square is surrounded by a magnificent series of columns, crowned by statues of saints that protect the square. However, the main attraction is the basilica with its monumentally impressive facade and the breathtaking cupola designed by Michelangelo.