Saint Peter's Square as seen from the basilica,
Vatican City
The square (piazza) was redesigned by Gian Lorenzo Bernini from 1656 to
1667, under the direction of Pope Alexander VII. The Bernini
fountain can be seen at the viewers left.
Central to the square is a red granite Egyptian obelisk,
seen on the left of this photo, while the Tuscan colonnade is at the
center and right background. Above the colonnade are the umbrella
pines of Rome -- a scrub-like conifer. These pine trees, also called
stone pine (Pinus pinea)
are native to southern Europe and north Africa.
The base of the obelisk
Supported by bronze lions and the Chigi arms the obelisk is 41 meters to the cross
on its top. It was originally erected at Heliopolis by an unknown pharaoh
of the Fifth dynasty of Egypt. The crucifixion of St. Peter, head
downwards, took place near this obelisk in the
Circus of Nero. Later it was moved to Saint Peter's Square and
serves as "witness" to Peter's death.
Central to the square is a red granite Egyptian obelisk,
seen on the left of this photo, while the Tuscan colonnade is at the
center and right background. Above the colonnade are the umbrella
pines of Rome -- a scrub-like conifer. These pine trees, also called
stone pine (