Bernini's St. Peter's Colonnade: Baroque Design & Symbolism

The Colonnade of St. Peter's Basilica

A masterpiece of Baroque urban design by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Historical Context and Style

• Timeline: De Lany 1656–1667.
• Style: High Baroque (Distillation Baroque).
• Architect: Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
• Building System: Architrave.
• Location: Vatican City (Rome).

Architectural Elements and Structure

The colonnade supports an entablature surmounted by a balustrade and a large collection of statues. The structure is composed of four rows of Doric columns, which are more slender than usual, topped with an Ionic entablature. The 296 columns form a seemingly endless forest, wisely separating the square from the exterior without a harsh break.

The colonnade is crowned with a balustrade housing 140 statues of saints.

Spatial Design and Geometry

Bernini designed the space in two main sections:

1. Piazza Retta (Straight Square): A first section bounded by two straight, slightly convergent arms, tilted slightly to overcome the uneven terrain.
2. Piazza Obliqua (Elliptical Square): The arms lead into a large ellipse, centered on the obelisk and flanked by two magnificent fountains.

Bernini's genius lies in the curvature of the colonnade, which appears to be based on a dynamic parallel ellipse but actually consists of two semicircles whose centers are separated by 50 meters.

Optical Effects and Symbolism

Bernini intelligently used the situation to create an optical effect: the diameter of the shaft of the initial columns appears wider without losing slenderness. He achieved this by slightly shifting the interior columns relative to the first row.

The circular shape of the two arms symbolizes the welcoming embrace of the Church (l'Església).

The initial design of the straight arms is reminiscent of Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome. Both share a subtle optical illusion that makes the viewer perceive the main facade's dimensions as larger. The elliptical arms, however, meet the criteria of open architecture, fully integrated into the urban environment.

Purpose and Baroque Significance

Bernini was commissioned to construct a square that would dignify the approach to the basilica. This allowed him to achieve a long-held goal: compensating for the site where Michelangelo's dome had been relegated during the basilica's final transformation. The design made the dome more visible, and working with the square's layout allowed him to correct the disproportionate scale of the church's facade.

Bernini's great virtue was deeply grasping the needs of the Counter-Reformation and reflecting the desires of the Church's power. The colonnade embodies key Baroque characteristics:

• High functionality.
• Deep symbolism and characterization.
• A theatrical stage setting.

The colonnade stands as a prime example of early urban architecture.

Function of St. Peter's Square

The role of St. Peter's Square was to provide a dignified access point befitting the seat of the Church.