Saint Peter's Square will be restored to its
17th-century Baroque glory with a major renovation project due to be
completed in 30 months, the Vatican's official daily said on Friday.
Work has already begun on part of the famous
colonnade designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1598-1680) - the sculptor
and architect behind some of Rome's best-known landmarks.
It will restore the colours and the architectural
integrity of Bernini's original design, the newspaper said, citing the
head of Vatican technical services, Pier Carlo Cuscianna.
The
project will encompass all of the square's 376 columns and pillars, 140
statues and 1,200 metres in terraces and cornices, as well as the
Clementina and Gregoriana fountains and the Egyptian obelisk in the
middle.
"Generous sponsors" are financing the project, Cuscianna said, without mentioning any names.
The
Vatican Museums will oversee the work and two Italian companies
Italiana Costruzioni and Fratelli Navarra have been selected to carry it
out.