Vatican City Webcam, Rome, Italy

St Peter's Square in Vatican City

Saint Peter's Square (Italian: Piazza San Pietro) is located directly in front of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the papal enclave within Rome. The open space which lies before the basilica was redesigned by Gian Lorenzo Bernini from 1656 to 1667, under the direction of Pope Alexander VII, as an appropriate forecourt, designed "so that the greatest number of people could see the Pope give his blessing, either from the middle of the façade of the church or from a window in the Vatican Palace" (Norwich 1975 p 175). Bernini had been working on the interior of St. Peter's for decades; now he gave order to the space with his renowned colonnades, using the Tuscan form of Doric, the simplest order in the classical vocabulary, not to compete with the palace-like façade by Carlo Maderno, but he employed it on an unprecedented colossal scale to suit the space and evoke emotions of awe.

World Cup Final Web Cam

The showpiece moment of the the biggest sporting event on the plant is finally here, and after a month of some of the most fantastic footballing events the final is here.

Whatever happens we will have a new winner as Spain and Holland, neither of who have won the Jules Rimet Trophy previously, will contest the final. As an additional incentive, the Golden Boot is also up for grabs, with David Villa or Wesley Sneijder the moist likely recipients.

This live webcam view takes you to Johannesburg on the day of the final:

Johannesburg city skyline, Soccer City World Cup stadium

Live view from Johannesburg and the Soccer City Stadium by webcam as the city prepares for the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and The Netherlands