Piazza San Pietro -- Kevin Lynch Analysis

Piazza San Pietro--Main Elements

a. Pathways:

Travel Groups come from three primary locations outside of the square. From the West, where tour buses parked on Via della Conciliazione, from the South, where groups arrive at the local train station, and from the North, where they arrive via public transit into Piazza Risorgimento. The Northern group also consists of a large group migrating from the Vatican Museums entrance, beating a path many have taken to re-enter the piazza after experiencing the Sistine Chapel. On most days (especially weekends), this path between the two tourist meccas is fraught with sidewalk peril. If there is not a line dominating the space, multiple tour buses are often blocking access with their disoriented, camera-laden users emptying out onto the street.
So, this creates multiple streams of people entering the piazza. Between the two security entrances in the North/South colonnades and through the two small gates along the Eastern edge.
There are also defined paths of movement from groups already contained in the piazza and basilica. These are the groups exiting the building from the Southern exit and the people in line on the Northern side, slowly moving into the basilica.

Piazza San Pietro--Pathways

b. Districts:
Districting the piazza into discernible parts is a difficult task. By fracturing it into pieces, you lose the ability to see it as a whole. However, by compartmentalizing, we can begin to see why these areas contribute to a greater purpose.

Districts relating to Architecture/Infrastructure
Inner Ring- Many groups sit here to enjoy the piazza. The Southern side is always in shade, but is not used as much as the Northern side—bathed in sunlight. People-watching is the most common past-time I have observed.
Colonnade- Home to security gates checking visitors entering the Basilica. Though most of it is closed to visitors or under construction, the parts that have remained open are part of the most tranquil district during the day. The columns provide a cooling shade and block much of the noise and movement happening feet away in the Inner Ring.
Outer Ring- Immediately outside of the colonnade where pedestrians travel to enter/exit the rim of the piazza.
Boulevards-Via di Porta Angelica, Via della Conciliazione, and Via delle Fornaci are the streets leading to the piazza. They provide access to pedestrian and vehicular (most notably taxis and motorbuses) traffic bound for St. Peter’s.
Obelisk Circle–Home to relaxing visitors and the meeting point for travel groups dispersing audioguides. Also, the surrounding area is home to the Christmas Nativity scene and Palm Sunday decorations. (I’ve now witnessed both, which take away from the obelisk greatly.)
Basilica Staircase- This district is kept fenced for security reasons, and is used only as part of Papal masses.

Districts Relating to People
Entrance/Exit Lines –Shifting mass of people slowly moving through the security checkpoint in the Northern colonnade. The end of the line often reaches the Eastern edge of the piazza. This is also present in the small groups trickling out of the exit on the Southern side of the front façade.

Meeting Point—Immediately past the Eastern edge and through the two small, open gates in the fence, lies a district concerned with gathering tour groups and small parties together to join the security line.
Photography Point—This district consists of photographers capturing the front façade. Many use the small pillars to balance cameras for focus.


c. Edges:
The colonnades create a defining, symmetric hold of the piazza. Even from a bird’s eye view, the colonnade apperas as the arms of the Vatican extending out to greet its followers. Though, the perspective from eye level discerns physical objects as the main means of defining an edge.
Eastern Edge- Marked by the metal fence lining the outside ring of the piazza.
Northern/Southern Edges- Marked by the two colonnades and multiple entablatures.
Western Edge- Marked by the security fence, the trapezoidal staircase, and the front façade. The massive front façade often seems like the primary edge, since many do not notice the security fencing until they move closer.

d. Landmarks:
Front Façade
Trapezoidal Staircase
Dome (only visible from certain perspectives)
Basilica Entrance (North side) and Exit (South side)
Colonnade (x2)
Featuring thick symmetrical columns (x256) and statues of saints (x192) on the
colonnade roofing.
Colonnade Entablature Sections (x6)
Fountains (x2)
Obelisk, encompassing circle, and interior fencing
Composed of large rectangular base steps (x3 levels), short pillars in a
square connecting the fence (x16), and Lampposts (x4)

Temporary/Moving/Varying Day-to-Day
Tourist groups, security fencing, large-screen monitors to display events, and
stage for Papal masses.

e. Nodes:

The obelisk features as the main meeting point for tourist and small groups. This is easily the most recognizable, accessible node in the square, but is a bad choice for using as a meeting point. Leaving much to interpretation, this node is far too busy and can distract many trying to use it for orientation. When interacting with the object, groups will either step over the low metal barrier to sit directly next to the obelisk or otherwise mill near the circling stone pillars.
The two fountains are consistently accessed nodes as well. Though, these usually function as photograph opportunities rather than meeting points. Since cascading water catches in the wind and sprays unsuspecting victims standing near the fountains, the node can stretch out in a concentric circle around each to encompass the wary photographers.