zodiac, making the obelisk a gigantic sundial's gnomon. Below is a view of St. Peter's Square from the cupola (the top of the dome) which was taken in June 2007. Spina St. Peter's Square today can be reached from the Ponte Sant'Angelo along the grand approach of the Via della Conciliazione (in honor of the Lateran Treaty of 1929). The spina (median with buildings which divided the two roads of Borgo Vecchio and Borgo nuovo) which once occupied this grand avenue leading to the square was demolished ceremonially by Benito Mussolini himself on October 23, 1936, and was completely demolished by October 8, 1937. St. Peter's Basilica was now freely visible from the Castel Sant'Angelo. After the spina, almost all the buildings south of the passetto were demolished between 1937 and 1950, obliterating one of the most important medieval and renaissance quarters of the city. Moreover, the demolition of the spina canceled the characteristic Baroque surprise, nowadays maintained only for visitors coming from Borgo Santo Spirito. The Via della Conciliazione was completed in time for the Great Jubilee of 1950. See also Index of Vatican City–related articles References Further reading Hibbert, Christopher, 1985, Rome: The biography of a city, London, Penguin. Norwich, John Julius, ed. 1975 Great Architecture of the World Touring Club Italiano, Roma e Dintorni External links stpetersbasilica.info Pages for all 140 Colonnade Saints Great Buildings On-line: Piazza of St. Peter's Roberto Piperno, "Piazza di S. Pietro": engravings by Vasi Mary Ann Sullivan, "St Peter's Piazza, Vatican City" Obeliscus Vaticanus LacusCurtius.com, The Vatican Obelisk, retrieved September 4, 2006 The legend of the cry of Bresca Legendary Rome Rome, Nova Online, Mysteries of the Nile, A World of Obelisks: Rome pbs.org, retrieved September 4, 2006 St. Peter's Square, Bernini's Fountain Colonnades Gian Lorenzo Bernini buildings Italy–Vatican City border crossings National squares Vatican St. Peter's Basilica Tourist attractions in Vatican City