The Clock

On the exterior façade of St. Peter’s Basilica, there are two clocks and a series of sculptural statues. These clocks were installed to replace the bell towers designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which were later dismantled due to structural instability. The clock on the left displays Roman time, while the clock on the right indicates European time. The statues aligned on the same level as the clocks represent Christ the Redeemer, Saint John the Baptist, and the eleven Apostles. Above the two clocks is the coat of arms of the Vatican City State (in use since 1931), supported by two angels.