It crosses the Tevere River. St. Peter holds the Keys to the Church in the piazza that bears his name. The facade that you see in the background was designed by Carlo Maderno from 1614. This sketch of St. Peter's shows its relationship to the piazza in front of it. A country retreat for Pope Julius III, it was mostly used for entertaining Vatican guests.
Caryatids are columns that have the shape of a female figure.
The axial plan shows the strict geometry of the Italian Garden concept. Rome's greatest amphitheater was commissioned by Emperor Vespasian in AD 72. The marble was plundered by Christians building St. Peter's. The extravagant style of 17th century Baroque architecture is exemplified in the Trevi Fountain, with the god Neptune standing guard. Please check out the panoramic images on the Italian Scene page.