Marble

Gian Lorenzo Bernini

1659-1662

Height:

• 11,5 m

Length:

• 70 m

Northern end of the colonnade of Saint Peter’s Square

The arm commonly known as Charlemagne’s is situated at the end of the vast portico of the basilica in which  there stands a large equestrian statue of the Christian emperor Charlemagne, who was crowned in Saint Peter’s on Christmas night in the year 800. The statue is the work of Agostino Cornacchini (1687-1754, completed in 1725), a late Baroque sculptor who, because of this important commission, suspended one of his most famous works. At one time this area was covered by a gabled roof, which was later demolished to become the present terrace.

The long area on a slight incline was employed for various purposes, after having lost its original use as an ambulatory to protect pilgrims who came to the Basilica in bad weather. After having housed the Vicariate’s Archives  for a long time, it was utilized during the Holy Year of 1975 as a place for pilgrims to go to confession. In recent years it has been used for exhibits sponsored by the Vatican. On the occasion of particularly significant pontifical ceremonies it is often used as a press office. On the first level it houses the Tourist Information Office, a post office, the Libreria Editrice Vaticana bookstore, as well as a first aid center and a station for the Swiss Guards stationed at the “Arco delle Campane”.

Photo