Did you know why we call the Roman Cobblestones “San Pietrini”?

When evening falls, St. Peter's Basilica and the square are today illuminated by an infinite series of modern lamps. In the 15th Century, the matter was very different: there was no electric light, candles were used but sparingly. 

The interior and exterior of the basilica were lit only on special occasions, while on ordinary days the darkness engulfed everything.

But when it was a party, it was a party for real!

On the occasion of the celebrations for St. Peter and Paul, the basilica was literally covered with thousands of torches and lanterns thanks to the tireless and patient work carried out by a large team of acrobatic workers: the “San Pietrini”.

Descending from above with an ingenious system of ropes, they placed a large number of lights from the top of the dome to the base of the church that made the whole of St. Peter's sparkle at nightfall. A great show that attracted pilgrims from all over. The flickering of the flames made the basilica sparkle, creating something unique of its kind.

The last lighting and manual arrangement of the torches dates back to 1938. 

History tells us that the Roman cobblestones are named “San Pietrini” due to the fact that they were firstly placed in the Square of Saint Peter’s, by the same people who worked there, and named after them. 

Legend instead tells us that most of the “San Pietrini” people whilst placing the cobblestones, would hide under the stones little jewels of their beloved in order to keep their memory as close as possible to such a Sacred place of God; the “treasure” of the San Pietrini should still be under the cobblestones of Saint Peter’s Square.