Introduction to the Pine Cone Courtyard: The Pine Cone Courtyard is an internal open-air courtyard of the Vatican Museum. In the sixteenth century, there was a large courtyard in the middle of the museum building. Later, part of it was roofed and became an internal courtyard. exhibition rooms, while the pine cone courtyard is separated. There is a closing niche at the north end of the courtyard. The design refers to the vault pattern of the Pantheon. It was built by the architect Piro Ligorio in 1565. In this closing niche, a 4-meter-high tower is placed. Bronze pinecone sculpture. The tree originally stood next to the Pantheon in Rome, hence the name "Pinecone Street". During the Middle Ages, the tree may have been placed in the vestibule of the ancient St. Peter's Church, and was moved from there in 1608. Here, two bronze peacocks flank the pine cone tree.