VATICAN’S ST. PETER’S SQUARE AND BASILICA

Updated on April 5, 2019

ST. PETER’S SQUARE

The square where the basilica is located. Large and oval, is surrounded by two passages of doric-style colonnades. It was designed by Bernini and built between 1656 and 1667. There are two fountains, one in each focus of the ellipse, and an Egyptian obelisk 25 meters high (41 including pedestal) in the center.

ST PETER'S BASILICA, VATICAN CITY. SAN PEDRO DEL VATICANO 0 — St Peter’s Basilica viewed from the Square

ST PETER'S BASILICA, VATICAN CITY. SAN PEDRO DEL VATICANO 1 plaza square — And the Square, with its obelisk and colonnades, viewed from the Basilica

You can see the soldiers of Vatican’s army, the Swiss Guard. They are only 100, making it the world’s smallest army.

ST. PETER’S BASILICA

The largest basilica in Italy and one of the largest in the world, or the largest, depending on the sources you check. Open daily from 7 to 19:00, free admission. The highlights of the interior are:

Michelangelo’s Pietà, one of his masterpieces. It is near the entrance on the right hand side.

ST PETER'S BASILICA, VATICAN CITY. SAN PEDRO DEL VATICANO 3 LA PIEDAD DE MIGUEL ANGEL, VATICANO Michelangelo's Pieta — Michelangelo’s Pietà

In the center, Bernini’s baldachin, from where the Pope usually officiate religious ceremonies.
Above this, Michelangelo’s dome. You can go up and look closely the inside and admire the view of Rome from the outside. There are 551 steps, or 320 for those using the elevator.

ST PETER'S BASILICA, VATICAN CITY. SAN PEDRO DEL VATICANO 5 Baldaquino Bernini interior — Interior of St. Peter’s Basilica with the baldachin on the left of the picture

Vatican Grottoes. Here are buried almost all the Popes, it is believed that even St. Peter, but not all archaeologists agree with the authenticity of the remains. The tomb of John Paul II is easily recognized because it is the most visited.

ST PETER'S BASILICA, VATICAN CITY. SAN PEDRO DEL VATICANO 6 Tumba de Juan Pablo II, San Pedro del Vaticano. Tomb Goivanni Paolo, St Peter's Basilica — John Paul II tomb in the grottoes

And yes, for those who want to see him, if the Pope is here, you can easily see him. Personally I have gone twice and have seen two Popes. He will be in a balcony overlooking the square before Sunday’s morning Mass, but it is so far that certainly, you cannot distinguish who is actually there. He can also be seen celebrating the Mass, although it is crowded with devotees and tourists alike.