The façade of St. Peter’s Basilica and the grand colonnade surrounding the Piazza di San Pietro are filled with historic ornamentation. An example is this early version of the Vatican City State Seal. On top is the papal tiara, the crown worn by the pope. Below it are two crossed keys which represent the keys to Heaven given to Saint Peter by Christ. Also notice the inscription “Alexander VII PM.” This refers to Pope Alexander VII. During his papacy from 1655 until 1667, he commissioned extensive urban development throughout Rome. Many of those architectural projects remain as city landmarks.
