Saint Peter's Square

We done this visit over two separate days, the queues for Saint Peters Basilica, on the weekends stretches for hundreds of meters & could easily take hours from your time in Rome/Vatican, the earlier the better & weekdays attract way less foot traffic. The dome is a must see for €10 or €15 with use of an elevator which removes the need to climb about 30% of the steps to the top. PS. There is apparently a passage from the Sistine Chapel into St.Peters basilica which I wish we had of known on day one, keep an eye out if the Vatican museum is first on your list. It could save you a lot of time 🙃

It’s very busy during the summer months! You need to have a ticket! The queue was very long! We didn’t bother with it. But still a must if visiting Rome I guess.

Visiting Piazza San Pietro was an awe-inspiring experience that left me captivated by its immense symbolic significance. The grandeur of St. Peter’s Basilica, framed by the sweeping colonnades designed by Bernini, creates a sense of spiritual and architectural harmony. The towering Egyptian obelisk at the center stands as a historic and religious focal point, emphasizing the continuity of faith across centuries. The piazza buzzed with energy from visitors and pilgrims alike, but its vastness provided space for reflection. I was especially moved by the sculptures of the saints adorning the colonnades, as they seemed to watch over the gathering masses. The alignment of the piazza’s design with the basilica gave me the impression of being embraced by history and spirituality. Every detail, from the cobblestones to the fountains, spoke of reverence and meticulous artistry. It’s a place that inspires both admiration and contemplation.

Amazing square in front of the St Peter’s basilica. It’s great to wander through history and to be in such an important and well-known place

Really impressive square which makes up the most of the open to the public area of the Vatican City. Completely surrounded with beautiful architecture and impressive statues it's certainly quite the sight. I had only ever previously seen it on TV and it always looked very crowded, however it wasn't too bad when I went, aside from the queue to get into St Peters Basilica. Beware of the scam artist and street sellers, I had multiple approach me within less than a minute. Some pose as official ticket sellers, but this is always at a huge mark up from the actual ticket prices so do not trust them. It's clear why the Vatican City has the highest crimes per capita of any country. I also saw a drug deal within about 3 minutes of being in the area!

A must visit place . A beautiful square with an amazing basilica. A proud moment to be present there for the canonisation of saints and get the blessing of the Pope . A heart filled moment . Every person should visit here atleast once .,

Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square) is the grand, elliptical square in front of St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It is one of the most famous and impressive squares in the world, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century to create a welcoming space for pilgrims. Key Features: 1. Colonnades: The square is surrounded by two massive colonnades made up of 284 Doric columns and 88 pilasters. The colonnades symbolize the “arms of the Church” embracing the faithful. 2. Obelisk: At the center of the square stands an Egyptian obelisk, brought to Rome in 37 CE by Emperor Caligula. It is over 25 meters tall and has a bronze cross at the top, said to contain a fragment of the True Cross. 3. Fountains: Two magnificent fountains flank the obelisk—one by Carlo Maderno (1613) and the other by Bernini (1675). 4. St. Peter’s Basilica: The square offers a stunning view of the basilica’s façade and dome, designed in part by Michelangelo. It serves as the focal point for papal ceremonies and blessings, including the famous Urbi et Orbi address. 5. Papal Audience: The square can hold up to 300,000 people and is often filled with pilgrims during events such as the Pope’s weekly Wednesday audience.

Before me and my wife traveled to rome we were going through online pictures to see how big the pillars were and i gotta say they are ginormous, truly breathetaking to see the actual size of it. Just looking at the pillars i had troublr trying to imaginr the people as they were creating them and putting everything together. U are left there standing in awe.