posted on 2017-07-03, 00:00authored byG. Massiot & cie
The obelisk from Heliopolis, Egypt was brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula in 37 CE. It originally stood in his circus on a spot to the south of the basilica, close to the present Sacristy. Sixtus V had Domenico Fontana move it in 1586 to the center of St. Peter's Square. It stands 25.31m high and weighs 330 tons.\u000a\u000aIn transforming the small existing piazza, Bernini was expected to cater for several functions. 'Four rows of simple and majestic Doric columns (300 in total) all carved from Roman travertine. This forms an oval 650 feet across the long axis marked by three monuments: positioned laterally by fountains propelling tall jets of water, and in the center, by an Egyptian obelisk that had served as a turning post in the chariot races at the ancient Circus of Nero. As they enter the piazza, the faithful are embraced by 'the motherly arms of the church,' Bernini's own description of his Colonnade. The Colonnade becomes simultaneously a dramatic frame for the church, a nurturing enclosure for the crowds of faithful, and a stage for the processions and other sacred spectacles on which, at this particular period, the Catholic Church so strongly depended for its appeal.' p. 343. Ninety-six statues of saints and martyrs are atop the balustrade.
History
Alt Title
Plaza and Colonnade of Saint Peter's
Date Created
1910-01-01
Date Modified
2017-07-03
Spatial Coverage
+41.902222+12.453333|Saint Peter's Rome (Vatican City), Santa Sede (Holy See), Italy)|Vatican City
Temporal Coverage
before or circa 1910
Cultural Context
Baroque
Rights Statement
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library.