Christmas is St.Peter’s Square

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30/12 Rome

Another busy day ‘On Tour’

Saint Peter's Square Rome

The dimensions of the square are spectacula: 320 meters long and 250 meters wide.

The construction of the square was carried out between 1656 and 1667 with the support of Pope Alexander XII.



The paving is varied by radiating lines to relieve what might otherwise be a sea of straight slabs.

In 1817 circular stones were set to mark the tip of the obelisk’s shadow at noon as the sun entered each of the signs of the zodiac, making the obelisk a gigantic sundial.



The Christmas tree this year is a 30-meter-tall, 7-ton Norway spuce stood glowing with pride, surpassed in height in its immediate surroundings only by the ancient Egyptian obelisk towering next to it.

Hailing from the Kočevje area in southern Slovenia, the Christmas tree will take up temporary residence in St. Peter’s Square, until 10 January 2021, for the benefit of the few able to travel to the Eternal City.

Our visit was virtual but still enjoyable.

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