Located in the historic town of Óbidos, Portugal, Saint Peter’s Square was built between 1743 and 1750 as part of a larger project to rebuild the city after it had suffered years of neglect. The square was designed by renowned Portuguese architect João Antunes da Silva, who sought to create an impressive public space that would be both aesthetically pleasing and functional.
The most striking feature of the square is its grand facade, which features two large bell towers on either side and several sculptures depicting figures from religious history, such as Saint Peter himself. At the centre stands a magnificent fountain with four tiers topped by a bronze statue representing Neptune holding his trident aloft. This fountain serves as an important focal point for visitors who come here to admire its beauty or take photographs.
In addition to being visually stunning, Saint Peter’s Square also holds great historical significance. During the Peninsular War (1808-14), French troops occupied Óbidos and used this very same square as their parade ground, where they held military drills and parades before setting off on campaigns elsewhere in Europe. It was also here where Napoleon Bonaparte made his famous speech proclaiming himself Emperor of France in 1804 – making this one of the most important sites associated with him during his reign over Europe at that time period.
Today, Saint Peter’s Square remains one of Óbidos’ most popular tourist attractions due to its beautiful architecture and rich history behind it all – drawing thousands each year who come just to marvel at its grandeur or snap some photos for posterity’s sake.
