St. Peter's Square Tours and Activities

St. Peter\'s Square which includes a city, a square or plaza and château or palace
St. Peter's Square
St. Peter\'s Square which includes a statue or sculpture, a square or plaza and a city
St. Peter\'s Square featuring a square or plaza, a city and a monument
St. Peter\'s Square featuring heritage architecture and a square or plaza


In a city with an unequalled architectural heritage, Piazza San Pietro nevertheless makes its mark.

The Piazza is another example of 17th century Baroque design in a city with some of the world’s greatest examples of this period. The Piazza San Pietro can be attributed to Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Baroque period architect was commissioned to design a space that would allow large numbers of people to enjoy the then Pope’s addresses from the glorious Vatican Palace. To this day, when Easter Day comes round, Piazza San Pietro will be teeming with people on a pilgrimage to hear the Pope’s annual Easter message.Though religious holidays are the busiest days in St. Peter’s Square, it doesn’t mean that other days are any quieter. In fact, it’s quite the contrary. Busy days are the norm in this particular piazza.One of the square’s particular highlights is the Egyptian obelisk, located at the very core of the piazza. This totemic monument, standing at more than 25 metres high, is made of distinctive red granite. According to popular legend, the obelisk dates back to 37 AD, when it was moved from Alexandria to the Circus of Nero by Caligula, thereby being located from this point at the very centre of the brutal theatre of sport and human sacrifice which was part of Roman society. It is also believed by some to be the place where St. Peter was crucified by the Romans. This is depicted in a painting by Caravaggio on display in the Cerasi Chapel.Towering above the Piazza are four huge, imposing colonnades, which have been skilfully placed to create a clever optical illusion. You’ll see various saintly figures including St. John the Baptist and Christ the Redeemer. St. Peter can be found on the right-hand side of the steps leading to the basilica and he is faced on the other side by St. Paul.St. Peter's Square is located right in the middle of Rome, within walking distance of the city centre. The Ottaviano Metro station is a short walk away along Via Ottaviano.

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Top St. Peter's Square Hotel & Accommodation Deals

Napoleon Hotel

Napoleon Hotel

4 out of 5
Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II 105, Rome, RM
Napoleon Hotel
Starhotels Michelangelo

Starhotels Michelangelo

4 out of 5
Via Della Stazione Di San Pietro 14, Rome, RM
Starhotels Michelangelo
Grand Hotel Olympic

Grand Hotel Olympic

4 out of 5
Via Properzio 2/a, Rome, RM
Grand Hotel Olympic
Vatican Style

Vatican Style

Via del Mascherino 46, Rome, RM
Vatican Style
Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá - The Leading Hotels of the World

Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá - The Leading Hotels of the World

5 out of 5
Via del Gianicolo 3, Rome, RM
Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá - The Leading Hotels of the World
Hotel Pacific Roma

Hotel Pacific Roma

3 out of 5
Viale delle Medaglie D'Oro 51, Rome, RM
Hotel Pacific Roma
Trianon Borgo Pio

Trianon Borgo Pio

4 out of 5
Piazza delle Vaschette n 13, Rome, RM
Trianon Borgo Pio
Hotel della Conciliazione

Hotel della Conciliazione

4 out of 5
Borgo Pio n. 163-164-165-166, Rome, RM
Hotel della Conciliazione
Hotel Adriatic

Hotel Adriatic

2 out of 5
Via Vitelleschi 25, Rome, RM
Hotel Adriatic
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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