Travertine and marble

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

1656 – 1667 colonnade

1662 – 1703 statues

Colonnade:

• Length: 16.77 m

• Internal length: 163 m

• External length: 202 m

Columns:

• Height 13 m

Statues:

• Height: 3.10 m ca

  Travertine and marble

St. Peter’s Square

    Pope Alexander VII (1655-1667) commissioned Gian Lorenzo Bernini to build the colonnade.   On 31 July 1656 the artist was commissioned to submit preliminary designs, but they were all rejected. This firs rejection was followed by protracted discussions and multiple changes, until March 1657, when Bernini was finally allowed to proceed. Agreement on the current colonnade was only reached between spring 1659 and that of 1660.

    The colonnade consists of 284 columns and 88 pillars arranged in 4 rows. The structure of the colonnade is surmounted by an architrave supported by ordered capitals and topped by a marble frame. The ceiling is gabled.

     140 statues of Saints line the balustrade, symbolically pointing towards the square.

    Defenders of the Faith and the Founders of the oldest religious orders are perched on to of the curved north wing of the colonnade; while Popes, Bishops and Doctors of the Church and the Reformers top the southern wind. Finally, the straight arms of the colonnade are adorned with the Martyrs, some great Saints of the Reformation and the Catholic Saints venerated as miracle workers.

    In correspondence with the bellies of the colonnade there are six papal coats of arms of Pope Alexander VII.

    Bernini was also expected to complete the colonnade with a "third porticoed wing", but the Pope's death in 1667 put an end to the project.

Proyects