The Thirteen Colossal Statues Which Crown the Facade of St Peter's Basilica

Private Tours of the Vatican Museums

St John the Baptist, Christ the Redeemer & St Andrew

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The facade of St Peter's Basilica is crowned with thirteen colossal statues. 

In the centre is Christ the Redeemer. You may be forgiven for thinking that Christ is flanked by the twelve Apostles. In fact, only eleven of the apostles are depicted. The Basilica might be dedicated to St Peter, but the 'Prince of the Apostles' is not present. The twelfth figure is, in fact, St John the Baptist, who stands in the place of honour on the right side of Christ. 

The statues (1612-14) were designed by Ambrogio Buonvicino (1552-1622) and executed by an assortment of sculptors.  The six-metre-high statue of Christ is the work of Cristoforo Stati and Simeon Drouin. 

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Rear view of the central statues

St Peter's Basilica