St Peter's Square Vatican

St Peter’sSquare

[ST PETER’S SQUARE ]Gurda Amela Geographer

Sarajevo, 4th June 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTLIST OF FIGURES:............................3INTRODUCTION..............................4HISTORICAL ORIGINS OF ST PETER’S SQUARE..............5BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT BAROQUE, PLANNING AND DESIGN PRINCIPLES..........5

CONSTRUCTION OF ST PETER’S SQUARE..................................6

PRINCIPAL STRUCTURAL AND SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SQUARE............8

BERNINI`S PRINCIPAL DESIGN ELEMENTS OF SQUARE AND SURROUNDING. 9ST PETER'S SQUARE WITH MONUMENTS AND SCULPTURES......................9

Colonnades......................................................................................................................... 9

Obelisk and fontains........................................................................................................ 10

ST PETER`S BASILICA.............................................12

VIA DELLA CONCILIAZIONE..........................................13

INSTEAD OF CONCLUSION: WHY I BELIEVE ST PETER'S SQUARE IS

CONSISTENT WITH BAROQUE PLANNING AND DESIGNING PRINCIPLES. .15BIBLIOGRAPHY.............................16

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List of figures:

Figure 1: St' Peters Square....................................4

Figure 2:Church in Germany.....................................6

Figure 3: Silicia Catania Church...............................6

Figure 4: St Peter`s Square...................................6

Figure 7: View on St Peter`s Square 1909.......................7

Figure 5: Optical illusion on St Peter` square.................8

Figure 6: View on St Peter`s square during blessing by pope. . . .8

Figure 7: St Peter's Square Colonnades and plasters............9

Figure 9: Paving on St Peter's Square.........................10

Figure 8: Statues.............................................10

Figure 10: Obelisk on St Peter's Square.......................11

Figure 12: Fountain on square.................................11

Figure 11: Installation of Obelisk............................11

Figure 13: St Petr's Basilica.................................12

Figure 14: View down the central nave to the baldacchino and the

yellow-windowed Cathedra of St. Peter.........................123

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Figure 17: The Tribune........................................13

Figure 16: St Peter's Bronze statue...........................13

Figure 15: Piata..............................................13

Figure 18: Via della concilazione.............................14

Figue 19: Via della concilazione before.......................14

Introduction

St Peter’s square is located in core of smallest world

country, Vatican which is placed in Italy1. The striking square

with imposing colonnade lead to the greatest basilica of the

Christian world, St Peter's Basilica (Basilica San Pietro; it). (St

Peter's Square (Piazza

San Pietro), 2014) St.

Peter's Square, known in

Italy as Piazza San

1 On site: http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/vatican-city-map-855px.htm is possible to see map of Vatican State and position of St Peter's Square in Vatican

4Figure 1: St' Peters SquareReference: http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-05-17/news/findings-of-questionnaire-sent-by-vatican-tied-to-extraordinary-synod-of-






http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/vatican-city-map-855px.htm

http://www.nationsonline.org/oneworld/map/vatican-city-map-855px.htm


Pietro, was created in the 17th century. The square St. Peter's

is an architectural highlight. (St. Peter's Square, 2014)

There state importance of St Peter’s Square for world and

architecture. In this work it will be explained historic origins

of square with reference to architectural period in which square

is built as well as its construction. Also, it will be described

architect’s principal design elements of square and surrounding

and in conclusion discussed about coherence of St Peter’s square

and baroque design and planning principles.

.

Historical origins of St Peter’s

Square

For better understanding of historical origins of St Peter’s

Square and further information provided in this work, we should give

basic information about baroque planning and design principles.

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Basic information about baroque, planning and

design principles

The word Baroque literally means a "misshapen pearl"

(Portuguese barocco – irregular). This period of architecture was

called Baroque because some considered the style very odd.

(Online etymology dictionary) Baroque as architectural style

starts in late 16th century in Italy and lasting in some regions,

such as Germany and colonial South America, until the 18th

century. Origins are in the Counter-Reformation, when the

Catholic Church launched an emotional appeal to the faithful

through art and architecture. (Baroque architecture)

Complex architectural shapes, often based on the arches, and

the dynamic opposition and interpenetration of spaces were

favored express the feeling of motion. Other characteristic

qualities include grandeur, drama and contrast (especially in

lighting), curva ceousness, and an often dizzying array of rich

surface treatments, twisting elements, and gilded statuary.

Architects applied bright colours and illusory, vividly painted

ceilings. Outstanding practitioners in Italy included Gian

Lorenzo Bernini, Carlo Maderno, Francesco Borromini, and Guarino

Guarini.

Classical elements subdued Baroque architecture in France.

In central Europe, the Baroque arrived late but flourished in the

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Figure 2: Silicia Catania ChurchReference: http://worldcometomyhome.blogspot.com/2013/04/0615-italy-sicily-late-baroque-towns-of.html


works of such architects as the Austrian Johann Bernhard Fischer

von Erlach. Its impact in Britain can be seen in the works of

Christopher Wren.

The late Baroque style is often referred to as Rococo2 or,

in Spain and Spanish America, as Churrigueresque. (Real Virtual)

As could be seen above, baroque architecture was dynamic and

alive even without any people. It had many ornaments and arch

together with paintings which were also alive.

Construction of St Peter’s Square

2 On site: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/506448/Rococo-style is possible to see explanation of Rococo style and examples of it.

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Figure 3:Church in GermanyReference:http://pipedreams.publicradio.org/events/tours/germany_2006/day3.shtml

http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/506448/Rococo-style

Figure 4: St Peter`s SquareReference: http://www.greatbuildings.com/cgi-bin/gbi.cgi/Piazza_of_St._Peters.html

240 196


After Alexander

VII was elected for

new pope in April

1655, he called and

asked architect Gian

Lorenzo Bernini to

create a new square in

front of St Peter's

Basilica. Lorenzo

considered wishes and

instructions of Pope Alexander VII and constructed elliptical

square in front of Basilica. Square had measurements 240 wide by

196 meters long. Construction of square lasted for 12 years, from

1656 until 1667 when it was finished. (A view on cities)3

Purpose of so huge space was to accept the greatest number

of people while pope is giving blessing either from middle of

facade of the church or from the windows in the Vatican place.

Bernini also started designing a three-armed portico, but

after Pope Alexander VII died, construction of the portico was

stopped and never finished; now we can see just two porticos on

square. If it was built it would closed whole building and

separated the ellipse from the “Borgo” quarter, thus creating a

“surprise effect” for the pilgrim who suddenly found himself in

the square. This effect was achieved by the buildings which3 On site: http://romeartlover.tripod.com/s.html is possible to see how Popes contributed and built St Peter's square surrounding over history.

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http://romeartlover.tripod.com/s.html

Figure 5: View on St Peter`s Square 1909Reference: http://idlespeculations-terryprest.blogspot.com/2007_11_01_archive.html


surrounds the square, the so-called “Spina di Borgo”, which

naturally “closed in” the square. (Vatican City State)

In 1936 the architects M. Piacentini and A. Spaccarelli

started the construction of Via Della Conciliazione in order to

give the square entrance. This caused the destruction of the old

Medieval village and of its typical narrow streets, a choice that

aroused bitter controversy. (St Peter's Square (Piazza San

Pietro), 2014)

Principal structural and social

characteristics of the square

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Figure 6: Optical illusion on St Peter` squareReference: http://winstoneurotrip.wordpress.com/tag/optical-illusion-

Figure 7: View on St Peter`s square during blessing by pope


Square is constructed

of 184 columns and 88

pillars about which it will

be mentioned more in coming

pages of work. If we look at

square from a precise point

of the St Peter's square

(close to the obelisk,

indicated by a stone) you

get the impression seeing

just one row of columns instead of four, this is particular

optical illusion.

Since it was made, main purpose of square was to accept as

much people as it can for time of pope blessing and other

religious events held by

church. The most important

regular even is Christmas held

on 25th December. Other but not

less important even is

choosing of pope. In that

moment many Christian people

as well as rest of the world

wait moment when new pope will come to balcony and bless everyone

on St Peter`s Square.

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Next to that, St Peter`s Square is used for tourist

observation of most important Christian church. From there,

tourists can enter parts of St Peter`s Basilica which are open

for public visit. Other events such as army`s marching is held on

this square.

Bernini`s principal design elements

of square and surrounding

Main features of St Peter`s Square are: Square itself

(together with obelisk, fountains, colonnades, statues), St

Peter`s Basilica as well as Via Della Conciliazione.

St Peter's Square with monuments and

sculptures

St Peter`s Square is made out of many monuments and

interesting sculptures which will be explained in further pages.

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Figure 7: St Peter's Square Colonnades and plastersReference:http://gotterdammerung.org/photo/travel/vatican-city/basilica-of-saint-peter/

Figure 8: StatuesReference: www.myworldshots.com/Italy/Rome/St-Peters-Cathedral/Statues-at-St-Peters-Basilica-


Colonnades When we see St Peter's Square first thing we can notice are

colonnades. Square is bordered by semi-circular colonnades which,

based on thoughts of Bernini, represent arms of church embracing

to world. Colonnades are

built in 1660th and they

are made in four rows.

Totally there are 284

Doric columns and 88

pilasters. The columns are20 meters high and 1.6

meters wide. (A view oncities)

On colonnades there are 140 statues. They depict popes,

martyrs, evangelists and other religious figures. Those statues

are work of Bernini and his student together.

Paving on St Peter's Square is varied by radiating lines in

travertine4. In 1817th circular stones were set to mark the tip of

obelisk's at the noon as sun enter each sign of zodiac. It made

obelisk a gigantic sundial's

gnomon.

4 More about travertine you can find on thist page: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-travertine.htm

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Figure 9: Paving on St Peter's SquareReference:http://vatican.com/tour/s

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-travertine.htm


Left and right from central obelis there are circular marble

plates which indicates the foic of the eliptical square. When you

stand of those plates and look at colonnades you have illusion

that there are just one row of columns instead of four. This is a

prove that Bernini was not just a great sculptor and architect,

but also that he knew geometry very good. (St. Peter's Square,2014)

Obelisk and fontains

The obelisk which adorns the center of square is renown. It

comes from Ancient Egypt and is 3200 years old. According to

Pliny, a ship was constructed for the sole purpose of bringing

the obelisk to Rome in 37 A.D. Obelisk is there for 1500 years

even it surrounding dramatically changed. The reason is sat13

Figure 9: Paving on St Peter's SquareReference:http://vatican.com/tour/s

Figure 10: Obelisk on St Peter's SquareReference:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/theworldfactbook/photo_gallery/it/photo_gallery_A1_it_1.html


undisturbed for so long is because it is 25 meters high and

weighs 350 tons. It was not easily moved and eventually it became

half-buried and forgotten due to the carelessness of men over the

course of centuries. The Obelisk is supported by statues

of bronze lions. The Vatican

obelisk was originally erected at

Heliopolis between 2494 BC and 2345

BC by an unknown pharaoh of the

Fifth dynasty of Egypt. By 2010,

the Vatican obelisk had been moved

three times. It is only the Vatican

obelisk in Rome that has not been

toppled since ancient Roman times.

The designer of the St. Peter's

square did not influence in any

manner the erection of the Vatican

obelisk but he used it as the

centerpiece of his outstanding

piazza. (St Peters Square Obelisk)

In 1585 pope Sixtus V decided to move obelisk to its present

location in front of the then under construction St. Peter's

Basilica, a distance of about 300 meters. The relocation was

considered as impossible. Sixtus however persevered and

commissioned Domenico Fontana with the transportation. It took

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Figure 13: St Petr's BasilicaReference: http://www.sacreddestinations.com/italy/rome-

Figure 12: Fountain on squareReference:http://travellingstorybook.com/category/italy/rome/page/2/


900 men and a reported 75-140 horses. Movement lasted for five

months.

In 1613 a fountain designed by Carlo Moderno was installed

on the square, to the right of the centrally located obelisk. To

maintain symmetry, Bernini decided to install an identical copy

of the fountain on the left side. The fountain was created in

1677 by Carlo Fontana. (A view on cities)

St Peter`s Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is a major basilica in Vatican City.

St. Peter's was until recently the largest church ever built and

it remains one of

the holiest sites in

Christendom. Contrary to

what one might reasonably

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Figure 11: Installation of ObeliskReference:http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome/piazzasanpietro.htm

Figure 14: View down the central nave tothe baldacchino and the yellow-windowed Cathedra of St. PeterReference: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-


assume, St. Peter's is not a cathedral - that honor in Rome goes

to St. John Lateran.

St. Peter's Basilica stands on the traditional site where

Peter - the apostle who is considered the first pope - was

crucified and buried. St. Peter's tomb is under the main altar

and many other popes are buried in the basilica as well.

Originally founded by Constantine in 324, St. Peter's Basilica

was rebuilt in the 16th century by Renaissance masters including

Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini. (Encyclopedia Britanica)

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica was designed

by Michelangelo, who became chief architect in 1546. The great

double dome is made of brick and is

42.3 metres in interior diameter,

rising to 120 metres above the floor.

In the early 18th century cracks

appeared in the dome, so four iron

chains were installed between the two

shells to bind it. The

grand facade of St. Peter's Basilica

is 116 m wide and 53 m high. Built

from 1608 to 1614, it was designed by

Carlo Modeno. The central balcony is

called the Loggia of the Blessings,

and is used for the announcement of the new pope with "Habemus

Papum" and his Urbi et Orbi blessing. The door in the center is

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Figure 15: PiataReference: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-

Figure 16: St Peter's Bronze statueReference: http://www.sacred-


by Antonio Averulino (1455), and was preserved from the old

basilica. The Door of Death is the far left door into the

basilica. Its name derives from its traditional use as the exit

for funeral

processions as

well as its

subject matter.5

(Sacreddestinations)

Via Della Conciliazione

5 Since St Peter's Basilica is a great masterpiece of architecture it is hardto explain it in one page, on this page you can read more details about interiors ad exterior design: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica

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Figure 17: The TribuneReference: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/ita

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica

Figure 18: Via della concilazioneReference: http://guide.supereva.it/roma/interventi/2011/02/via-della-conciliazione-e-


Via della Conciliazione (in English, "Road of the Conciliation")is a street in the Borgo region. It is the main street leading to St

Peter's from Adrian's Mausoleum or Castel Sant'Angelo A relatively

short street, it runs east and west from the Castel Sant'Angelo to St.

Peter's Basilica. Via della Conciliazione is bordered by many

religious and historical buildings, as well as quaint boutiques,

souvenir shops and residences. Constructed between 1936 and 1950,

this famous road was built to connect the Italian State with the

Vatican State.

Today, it remains the main route of access from the greater

Italy to St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. The history of Via

della Conciliazione is certainly interesting. Built by Benito

Mussolini in the mid-1930s, it serves as one of Rome's few large

throghfares, able to bring in large masses of people (read:

tourists) straight to Piazza San Pietro.

The original architect of the Piazza, Gian Lorenzo Bernini,

intended that visitors get an eyeful as they left their crowded

Medieval streets and entered the square. This effect, of course,

has been diminished with the creation of Via della Conciliazione.

And for this, it seems some of history is lost. However, the

grandiosity and beauty of the

street, particularly how it

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http://www.gogobot.com/borgo-rome-attraction


leads straight to the Vatican, is definitely a sight to see.6

(Via Della Conciliazione)

6 For further details about Villa Della Cncilazione visit: http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/lazio/conciliazione.asp

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Figue 19: Via della concilazione beforeReferece:counterlightsrantsandblather1.blogspot.com/2009_12_01_archive.h

http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/lazio/conciliazione.asp


Instead of conclusion: Why I believeSt Peter's Square is consistent with baroque planning and designing principles

Since every baroque square has same spatial progression

forms: gate, street, plaza and monumental building or focus,

also St Peter's Square has same one. Gate to St Peter's Square is

entrance in Via Della Concilazione. Street which leads to plaza

is Vil Della Concilazione. This street is wide and open like all

baroque streets which leads to main plaza or building. Plaza is

St Peter's Square and it represent baroque in own way. Together

with obelisk in centre, colonnades and other interesting parts

such as paving are just what baroque is. Colonnades with it

symmetric and same look are characteristic for baroque period.

Also, statues are giving on dynamic and movement which baroque

is. Building of focus in this case is St Peter's Basilica. St

Peter's Basilica is full of ornaments, sculptures and statues

which are made in baroque or before. Together Via della

Concilazione, St Peter's Square and St Peter's Basilica are

representing typical Baroque planning and designing principles.

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They are full of geometry, ornaments, dynamic sights just like

baroque period is.

Bibliography

(n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2014, from Encyclopedia Britanica: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/518043/Saint-Peters-Basilica

A view on cities. (n.d.). Retrieved Maz 16, 2014, from http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome/piazzasanpietro.htm

Baroque architecture. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2014, from Eniclopedia Britanica.

Online etymology dictionary. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=baroque

Real Virtual. (n.d.). Retrieved May 25, 2014, from http://www.learn.columbia.edu/ha/html/baroque.html

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Sacred destinations. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2014, from St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City: http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-st-peters-basilica

St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro). (2014, Maj 24). Retrieved from Rome.Info: http://www.rome.info/squares/st-peters-square/

St Peters Square Obelisk. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2014, from http://www.romanhostels.com/guide/saint-peters-obelisk/

St. Peter's Square. (2014, Maj 25). Retrieved from A view on city: http://www.aviewoncities.com/rome/piazzasanpietro.htm

Vatican City State. (n.d.). Retrieved May 26, 2014, from http://www.vaticanstate.va/content/vaticanstate/en/monumenti/basilica-di-s-pietro/la-piazza.html

Via Della Conciliazione. (n.d.). Retrieved May 27, 2014, from http://www.lifeinitaly.com/tourism/lazio/conciliazione.asp

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