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This panorama was taken outside of the Vatican, in front of St. Peter's Basilica, in Saint Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro). The square was designed to accommodate many people so that everyone could see the Pope give his blessings. In the exact centre of the square stands the Vatican Obelisk. It is made from red granite and is approximately 40 metres/134 feet to the cross on top. The floor of the square is decorated in different lines of travertien (a form of limestone) to add embellishment to the cobblestone. In 1817 stones were used to mark the shadow cast by the Obelisk so it could be used as a giant sundial. On top of these massive columns are 140 statues of various saints. To get to the top of Michelangelo's dome, which can be seen if you look due West in this picture, you have to climb 491 stairs!
