Saint Peter's square seen from the Dome of St.Peter's. (Place Saint-Pierre)In the background the city of Rome.This monumental elliptical space (240m wide); is the masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini; who laid it out during the pontificates of Alexander VII and of Clement IX (1657-1667)Below: Surmounting the balustrade statues of Christ the Redeemer; St. John the Baptist and 11 Apostles. In the center the 25-meter-high red granite obelisk from Egypt (1835 BC); brought to Rome in 37 BC by Emperor Caligula for his circus. It became the witness of martyrdom of St. Peter and other Christians. Sixtus V commissioned architect Domenico Fontana to place it to its current position in 1586.Left and right: The Colonnades consist of 284 Doric columns and 88 pilasters of travertine marble.( Saint Peter's basilica; basilique Saint-Pierre; Petersdom. )( St. Peter's Square; Place Saint-Pierre; Petersplatz )Vatican 2019