Paul VI Audience Hall, Modernist auditorium in Vatican City.
The Paul VI Audience Hall is a modern concrete structure with a curved wave-like form pierced by expansive windows that allow natural light to fill the interior seating area. The space accommodates thousands of visitors and centers on a large bronze sculpture as its focal point.
The structure was designed by Italian architect Pier Luigi Nervi in the early 1970s as a meeting space for papal events. The Knights of Columbus provided the land to enable construction of this modern gathering place.
The bronze sculpture La Resurrezione weighs 80 tons and stands as the central artistic element within this papal audience venue.
Dress codes and respectful behavior are expected when visiting this religious venue. Plan to arrive well in advance of any event you wish to attend, as seating fills up quickly.
The building straddles two nations, with a portion in Vatican City and a larger section on Italian land functioning as extraterritorial space. This unusual arrangement stems from an agreement between the Holy See and Italy allowing this particular setup.
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