Saint Peter's Square
It is a Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s masterpiece of scenic architecture, constituted from an immense ellipse 240 mt wide, from which rises the Façade of the Basilica dominated by Michelangelo’s Dome. The two lateral hemicycles are constituted by imposing porticos with four rows columns and in the centre of the square, between two magnificent fountains, stands the Vatican Obelisk placed on four bronze lions. On the floor there is a Rosa dei Venti and going toward the one or the other fountain, there is a circular stone , from which the colonnade appears to be formed just by an only row of columns. After passing the fountains, you are in front of the Basilica.
Saint Peter's Basilica
 From Bernini´s ellipse, you can see the whole and immense roof thought up by Michelangelo, who directed the building of the whole basement part to the drum. The basement is subdivided into 16 powerful counterforts refined by columns in Corinthian style , among them there are big windows. At the sides rise two smaller domes that rise above the Gregorian and Clementine chapels, both purely decorative. The Façade of St. Peter´s Basilica erected by Carlo Maderno in 1607-1614, that played down the ascensional effect of the dome and hid the drum, is preceded from a three level stairway, was realized by Bernini and at both sides there are the statues of Saint Peter and Saint Paulus. You can enter the portico from five entrances and, entering the Basilica , you can notice that the vault is richly decorated with stuccos of great value and with 32 statues of Popes.
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