St Peter’s Square in Rome

Nestled at the foot of St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square is the heart of Vatican City and the spiritual center of Catholicism.

Ahoy, travelers! Captain Ulysses is here to guide you through this true baroque gem, designed in the 17^th century by the iconic architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini!

⚠️ Rome is a top tourist destination! If you’re planning to visit the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, be sure to book your tickets in advance: dome access + audio-guided tour (available in French).

A Brief History of St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican

Let’s travel back to the 16^th century.

In 1506, Pope Julius II ordered the demolition of the old Paleochristian basilica, which had been built in honor of St. Peter by Emperor Constantine in the 4^th century AD. The goal was to make room for a grand and opulent new basilica.

As St. Peter’s Basilica is the spiritual center of Catholicism, it needed to reflect its significance and inspire awe in the faithful and pilgrims who came to pray in the Eternal City.

The construction of this new basilica was entrusted to the greatest architects of the time, including Bramante, Raphael, Baldassarre Peruzzi, Michelangelo, Giacomo della Porta, Carlo Maderno, and of course, Bernini.

The new St. Peter’s Basilica was consecrated by Pope Urban VII in 1626. However, at that time, St. Peter’s Square was still a relatively ordinary rectangular esplanade.

Thirty years later, in 1656, that Pope Alexander VII entrusted Bernini with the difficult task of completely restructuring St. Peter’s Square in order to highlight the new basilica as well as to be able to accommodate large gatherings. Work began in 1658 and was completed in 1667.

Between 2009 and 2014, St. Peter’s Square was subject to a vast restoration plan initiated by the Vatican Museum and financed by private patrons.

Visiting St. Peter’s Square

Structure Architecture

Dimensions

St. Peter’s Square is truly awe-inspiring at first glance, largely due to its monumental dimensions:

• Length: 340 meters / 0.2 mile
• Width: 240 meters / 0.15 mile

Capacity: up to a staggering 300,000 people! To put that into perspective, the Colosseum could hold around 50,000 spectators, the Circus Maximus between 95,000 and 100,000.

Structure of St. Peter’s Square

When Bernini took on the task of redesigning St. Peter’s Square in the 17^th century, he discarded the old rectangular plan and opted for a more intricate design.

The new square consists of two distinct areas: a trapezoidal section at the foot of the basilica and a grand elliptical area.

The monumental ellipse is framed by a quadruple colonnade consisting of 284 columns and 88 pilasters, topped by 140 statues of saints over 2 meters tall, crafted by Bernini’s students.

On the trapezoidal section, don’t miss the two large statues flanking the staircase, sculpted between 1838 and 1840: a statue of St. Peter by Giuseppe de Fabris, and one of St. Paul by Adamo Tadolini.

The Vatican Obelisk

At the center of the elliptical part of St. Peter’s Square stands the Vatican Obelisk, a 25-meter-tall Egyptian monument brought from Alexandria by Emperor Caligula. He initially placed it in the Circus of Caligula and Nero, which stood near where St. Peter’s Basilica is today.

According to Christian legend, the obelisk marked the spot where St. Peter was martyred, crucified upside down in the Circus of Caligula and Nero between 64 and 68 AD.

In 1586, Pope Sixtus V ordered architect Domenico Fontana to move the obelisk to the center of St. Peter’s Square, where it still stands today, flanked by four bronze lions on its pedestal.

The Fountains of St. Peter’s Square

Sixty meters on either side of the obelisk are two stunning fountains that are also worth a closer look:

• To the north: a fountain designed by Carlo Maderno in 1615.
  
  
• To the south: a fountain by Carlo Fontana, completed in 1675.

The Passeto di Borgo

During your visit to St. Peter’s Square, be sure to check out the Passeto di Borgo,

an 800-meter elevated passageway that connects the north side of the square to the Castel Sant’Angelo.

In times of danger, this passage allowed the pope to escape safely to Castel Sant’Angelo, which was a fortified stronghold at the time.

St. Peter’s Basilica

After exploring St. Peter’s Square, the grand finale awaits… St. Peter’s Basilica, of course!

Built between the 16^th and 17^th centuries, this iconic basilica saw a succession of renowned artists and architects take charge of its construction, including Raphael, Michelangelo, and Bernini.

Unsurprisingly, the result is a masterpiece that lives up to their legacy—a true gem, both in terms of its architectural grandeur and the incredible works of art it houses (statues, tombs, and more).

Don’t be put off by the long lines at the entrance; visiting the basilica is absolutely worth the wait!

Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free. However, there is a fee to access the dome. To save time and ensure your spot, it’s a good idea to book tickets in advance: Dome access + audio-guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Practical Information

Getting to St. Peter’s Square

Located in the heart of Rome, St. Peter’s Square is easily accessible on foot or by public transport.

The closest metro stop is Ottaviano on line A. Both city buses and hop-on-hop-off tourist buses stop just a short walk from the square.

If you’re arriving on foot, Captain Ulysses highly recommends taking the Via della Conciliazione, which connects Castel Sant’Angelo to St. Peter’s Square—guaranteed to impress!

Tips Insider Advice

If you want to avoid the crowds, Captain Ulysses highly recommends setting your alarm very early to arrive at St. Peter’s Square first thing in the morning.

Keep in mind that appropriate attire is required to enter St. Peter’s Basilica. Your shoulders and legs must be covered. If it’s hot, just bring a light scarf or wrap to cover yourself during the visit.

If you plan to visit the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, it’s a good idea to book your tickets in advance: Dome access + audio-guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica.

Vatican Guided Tours

To skip the long lines and make sure you don’t miss anything, Captain Ulysses strongly recommends booking this guided tour of St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel (several languages available).

Credits
Pexels | Wikimedia Commons | Pixabay