Pope Alexander VII had huge ambitions for Rome and took on large-scale building projects with the aim to reorganise and redesign large chunks of it. Together with the wunderkind architect, sculptor, painter, writer and designer, Bernini, he completed one of these major works, St Peter's Square. This open space lies in front of St Peter's Basilica and Alexander wanted it to be laid out so that the maximum number of worshippers would be able to see the Pope giving his blessings from the church or adjacent Papal apartments as well as to make a grand entrance to the hallowed buildings. A collaborative affair, the plans were made over several stages of planning until the present design was decided upon.
One of the most beautiful and grandest piazzas in the world, it is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime as it needs to be experienced in order to understand the impact of the space. Find a holiday rental in Rome and you could pass through this sacred and expertly arranged square for yourself.
The Basilica traces its origins to the Martyrdom of Peter who was crucified by Emperor Nero and buried in a pagan burial ground near the Circus. In 319 AD, Emperor Constantine built a basilica half the size of the present church above Peter's resting place, at the request of Pope St. Sylvester I.
The Basilica traces its origins to the Martyrdom of Peter who was crucified by Emperor Nero and buried in a pagan burial ground near the Circus. In 319 AD, Emperor Constantine built a basilica half the size of the present church above Peter's resting place, at the request of Pope St. Sylvester I.
By the 15th century it seemed ready to collapse. In the 16th century, it was rebuilt in phases by Bramante, Raphael, and Michelangelo, with a façade by Carlo Maderno.
When the decision was made to redesign the piazza in 1656, Bernini was given the appointment as the architect. Bernini’s main job was to express the importance and great meaning of the basilica as well as to consider the more practical aspects as dictated by his patrons.
Working around existing structures made the job particularly challenging.
The piazza is composed of an oval area, the Piazza Obliqua, and a trapezoidal area, the Piazza Retta. At the centre of the oval space is the Egyptian Obelisk which Bernini framed as a centrepiece for the piazza. The most characteristic aspect of the piazza are the colonnades, which frame it. Bernini originally wanted to add a third arm, which was made of a triumphal arch and connect the colonnades but financial limitations prevented this. The colonnades create an elliptical shape around the piazza. Of the Doric order, they are four columns deep and create three passages; two for pedestrians and one for carriages. This passageway was used for ceremonial processions and provided shelter from sun, wind, and rain. On top of this lie 96 statues of the most famous saints and martyrs of the church, each designed by Bernini.
Truly unique and astounding, any visit to Rome or the Vatican would be incomplete without taking a moment to admire the spectacle of Bernini's piazza and the extraordinary colonnades that frame it.
When the decision was made to redesign the piazza in 1656, Bernini was given the appointment as the architect. Bernini’s main job was to express the importance and great meaning of the basilica as well as to consider the more practical aspects as dictated by his patrons.
Working around existing structures made the job particularly challenging.
The piazza is composed of an oval area, the Piazza Obliqua, and a trapezoidal area, the Piazza Retta. At the centre of the oval space is the Egyptian Obelisk which Bernini framed as a centrepiece for the piazza. The most characteristic aspect of the piazza are the colonnades, which frame it. Bernini originally wanted to add a third arm, which was made of a triumphal arch and connect the colonnades but financial limitations prevented this. The colonnades create an elliptical shape around the piazza. Of the Doric order, they are four columns deep and create three passages; two for pedestrians and one for carriages. This passageway was used for ceremonial processions and provided shelter from sun, wind, and rain. On top of this lie 96 statues of the most famous saints and martyrs of the church, each designed by Bernini.
Truly unique and astounding, any visit to Rome or the Vatican would be incomplete without taking a moment to admire the spectacle of Bernini's piazza and the extraordinary colonnades that frame it.
Photo credits
picture 1: valyag / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: valyag / CC BY-SA 3.0
