St. Peter's Square

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View of Saint Peter's Square looking from the dome
St. Peter's Basilica and St. Peter's square are great examples of monumental architectonic masterpieces where geometry was taken in consideration in many levels. There is harmony of space and forms through the elements of the square. St. Peter's square is a continuation of St. Peter's Basilica, Michelangelo's masterpiece where magnificent views from the square can be appreciate it.
First Design
The original design included a three-armed portico. However, after the death of Pope Alexander VII, its construction was suspended so it was never built. It's location would have enclosed the building and separated the ellipse from the trapezoidal square. Original Bernini's design of Saint Peter's Square
The Square …show more content…
Its origin is believed to be from the Heliopolis in Egypt. However, its origins are still unknown because it lacks of hieroglyphics. It is 84 feet tall by itself and 135 feet including the pedestal, and it weights 705, 479 pounds. Later it was sent to Rome under the order of Emperor Caligula to his circus, the Circus of Caligula which was later renamed Circus of Nero or Circus Maximus. The Roman desire of having Egyptian Obelisks to embellish public spaces goes back to Imperial times where many of the Egyptian treasures were removed from the Egyptian Temples and sent to Rome. Later on, it was moved to the front of the then under construction St. Peter's Basilica by Domenico Fontana in 1585 as a request of Pope Sixtus V. It was placed 300 meters away from the basilica. Its relocation was considered impossible. It required 900 men and 75-140 horses were reported to be used, as well ropes for the relocation of the Obelisk. The operation lasted five months to be completed and finally on September 10, it was moved. Today, this Vatican Obelisk is the only one remaining in one piece in Rome that has survive through history.

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