Family Travelogue: ROME ITALY St Peter's Square/ Family Travelogue 07 June 2015

St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

St Peter's Square is one of the most beautiful and largest squares in the world. It is located in front of the St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy. It was built by Bernini, entrusted by Pope
Alexander VII, between 1657 to 1667. The square is surrounded by 284 doric columns, four rows deep and 88 pilasters. Above the columns are 140 statues of saints. At the center of the square is the 25metres tall Obelisk from Egypt and the two fountains by Bernini (1675) and Mademo (1614). Both the square and the Basilica was named after St Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ and the first Catholic Pope.

The Pope praying the Angelus

Sundays at noon, people gather for the Angelus lead by the Pope from his window (second window from the top right). Thereafter, the Pope shall bless the crowd in the square

St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

At the center of the square is the 25metres tall Obelisk from Egypt and the two fountains by Bernini (1675) and Mademo (1614).

Apostolic Palace

The Papal Apartment occupies the top floor.

Facade of St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

The attic consists of eight square windows and 13 statues in travertine. The statues represent Christ the Redeemer, St John the Baptist and 11 Apostles.

Inscrption accross the facade:
IN HONOREM PRINCIPIS APOST PAVLVS BVRGHESIVS ROMANVS PONT MAX AN MDCXII PONT VII

translated into English:
In honor of the prince of Apostles: Paul, V Borghese, Pope, in the year 1612 and the seventh year of his pontificate.

Eleven (11) APOSTLES

From left: St Thaddeus, St Matthew, St Philip, St Thomas, St James the elder, St John the baptist, Christ the Redeemer and St Andrew

From left: St John the baptist, Christ the Redeemer, St Andrew, St John the Evangelist, St James the Younger, Bartholomew, St Simon and St Matthias. Latter is included because he is associated with the other eleven in bearing witness to Christ's Resurrection.

The Dome

The Dome was designed by Michelangelo, who started the construction in 1547. The construction had reached the drum of the dome when he died in 1564. His pupil, Giacomo Della Porta continued the construction and completed in 1590.

This dome has inspired the other domes such as the Saint Paul's in London (1675), Les Invalides in Paris (1680~1691) and the Capitol building in Washington (1794~1817)

The Obelisk from Egypt at St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

The Obelisk, topped by a bronze cross, was from Egypt brought by Emperor Caligula to Rome in 37AD. It was originally stood at the south of Basilica till 1586, it was moved to the center of St Peter's Square. The Obelisk represents humanity reaching out to Christ.

Obelisk at St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

The Obelisk from Egypt is supported on bronze lions and surrounded by the bronze Chigi arms.

Fountain at St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

There are two fountains at the center of the square. Almost identical. One was by Bernini (1675) and the other one by Mademo (1614).

St Peter Square North Colonnade, Vatican City, Rome, Italy

There are six Coat of Arms of Alexander, the founder of St Peter's Square, encircled at the square

Three at the Right Colonnade: North Opening, North Colonnade and over Bronze Door and

Three at the South Colonnade: South Opening, South entrance and at the Braccio Carlo Magno Entrance.

North Colonade Alexander VII Coat of Arms

Colonnade statues from left:
26. St Febronia,
25. St Mark-Evangelist,
24. St Mary of Egypt,
23. St Ephraim,
22. St Theodosia and St Macrina

St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

The Bronze Door is used as an entrance to the Apostolic Palace. Swiss Guards stand at this door.

North Colonnade Coat of Arms Over Bronze Door

We could see from left the Mater Ecclessiae mosaic which covers the window facing the square. The mosaic was commissioned by Pope John Paul II

Colonnade Statues from farther left: St Cecilia, St Justin, St. Catherine, St Agnes and St. Genesius

Pope Francis leading the Angelus from his window

view of the Apostolic Palace and eight of the 140 colonnade statues at St Peter's square

The Papal Apartment occupies the top floor.

Saints on North Colonnade below Apostolic Palace

Statues below the Apostolic Palace from left: St Malchus, St Benignus, St Barbara, St Fausta

Saints on North Colonnade below Apostolic Palace

Colonnade statues from left: St Candida, St Apollonius, St Didymus, St Marinus

St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

South/Left colonnade (far behind), St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

Left colonnade, St Peter's Square in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

St Peter Square's in the Vatican City, Rome, Italy

St Peter's Square South front opening (left), South entrance (right)

There are six Coat of Arms of Alexander, the founder of St Peter's Square, around the square

Three at the South Colonnade: South Opening, South entrance and at the Braccio Carlo Magno Entrance and

Three at the Right Colonnade: North Opening, North Colonnade and over Bronze Door

St Peter's Square South entrance (left) and Braccio Carlo Magno Entrance (right)

The top of the Charlemagne Wing has been converted into an exhibition hall.

South Colonnade Alexander VII Coat of Arms at the Braccio Carlo Magno Entrance

One of the six papal Alexander VII Coat of Arms located at the Braccio Carlo Magno Entrance.
Colonnade statues from the left:
98 St Stephen
97 St Laurence
96 St Dinoysus

Alexander VII Coat of Arms at the South Entrance

One of the Six papal coat of arms of Alexander VII (1655~1667) around the square located at the South entrance. Pope Alexander was the one who commissioned to build St Peter's square.
Saints on South Colonades Alexander VII Coat of Arm from the left:

119. St Theodora
118. St Beatrice
117. St. Catherine of Siena
116. St Galla

Southeast end Coat of Arms

One of the Six papal coat of arms of Alexander VII (1655~1667) around the square located at the Southeast end. Colonnade statues from left:

139. St. Theobald
138. St. Theodore
137. St. Jerome
136. St. Hilarion

Reference: Vatican City State

continued to St Peter's Basilica (interior)
continued from Walk to St. Peter's Basilica

Check out 2015 Europe travels: Europe Tour June 2015