St Peter Square, Vatican City
Posted by: Groundspeak Regular Member sherpes
N 41° 54.126 E 012° 27.438
33T E 289089 N 4642033
rose stone markings surrounding the centrally-located obelisk
Waymark Code: WM7RPH
Location: Vatican City State
Date Posted: 11/27/2009
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member toponym
Views: 110

Sixteen stone markings, placed all around the Egyptian granite obelisk at the center of St Peter square, at an aproximate distance of 20 meters from the center. Placed in 1817 with the guidance of the jesuit astronomer L. G. Gilij, it was part of a meridian in which the shadow of the granite obelisk would mark time, and additional markings on the square where added to indicate the spot where the tip of the shadow would be at exactly noon in the spring and fall equinox. The stones of the compass rose were moved in 1852 with the inclusion in the square of the four gas lamps.

The facade of St Peter's church faces East.

Each stone is graphically decorated with a human face flowing air, and the name of the wind that usually blows from that compass direction. "Scirocco" is usually known to bring bits of sand dust from the african deserts, while days of "Tramontana" are known to be crystal clear.



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