Rome at last…and San Pietro or St. Peter’s Basilica

After our overnight flight in business class and having gotten a good night’s sleep, we arrived in Rome’s Leonardo Da Vinci Airport. We deplaned and found our way to a taxi to take us to our hotel, Atlante Garden on via Crescenzio . It’s a very nice hotel and within walking distance of so many of the popular sights including St. Peter's Basilica and the rest of Vatican City, Piazza Novona, Castel St. Angelo, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Colosseum, the Roman Forum and more! If you’re touring to sights farther out such as the Colosseum, a taxi may be the preferred transportation however, if you’re in the mood to walk, there are so many historical places to stop along the way of which I will discuss in later posts. We checked in to our room and began our journey of this first day.

Our first excursion was a private guided tour of Vatican City including St. Peter’s Basilica, (click here for an amazing virtual tour of the inside of this cavernous basilica) the Vatican Museum, the gardens and of course, la Cappella Sistina or the Sistine Chapel. A life-long dream about to come true, I have wanted to visit the Sistine since my days in art history courses in college and experience the majesty and breathtaking beauty of one of Michelangelo’s greatest achievements! And it really does take your breath away! More to come on that in a later posting.

After walking a few blocks, we arrived in the enormous Piazza San Pietro, a huge oval shaped piazza flanked by two “colonnades”, (click here to see for yourself), of tall and mighty columns that cascade from the opening of the piazza to each side of the Basilica. These sweeping embracing arms of the colonnades were designed by Bernini and completed in 1666.

At last, the basilica. There is such a lengthy history about this place however I will keep it brief in that the basilica as you see it was started by Bramante in 1506; briefly managed by da Sangallo brothers and Rafael; Michelangelo served as “Commissioner, Director of Works and Architect for Life”; and finally consecrated in 1626, exactly 120 years after the work had begun. Even more astounding is the fact that it was exactly 1300 years since the consecration of the very first basilica in 326 by Constantine.

High atop the façade are 13 statues of Christ, St. John the Baptist and 11 Apostles excluding St. Peter because his is to the left of the steps leading up to the doors. Each is 6 meters high with exception to Christ who stands at 7.5m.

We made it through security and began our tour inside. Our guide from Roman Strolls, began our tour by directing our attention to the Holy Door opened only in the year of the Jubilee or every 25 years. Once through the main entrance, immediately on your right, is Michelangelo’s Pietà an astounding accomplishment at the age of 24! It’s behind bullet proof glass, but nonetheless, it’s a sight to behold. Although carved from marble, Christ and Mary are so lifelike that they suspend your disbelief for quite some time.

After that, we strolled down the nave, be sure to visit with all of the statuary along the way, to the Baldacchino, a large sculpted bronze canopy designed by Bernini as well, that hangs over the Papal altar. To the right is a statue of St. Helena, Constantine’s mother who holds a cross representing the True Cross relic she discovered in Jerusalem. If you clicked on the first link above, you have seen this mighty altar and the amazing interior of this majestic church that seems to stretch to Heaven especially if you’re looking up into the Michelangelo’s cupola.

By the way, if you not faint at heart, I strongly recommend you climb to the very top, elevator to first level for a view of the altar from above

and then up 323 curving steps around the cupola that lead outside

to a most breathtaking view of Rome!

After our journey back down to ground, we toured the remainder of the basilica and wrapped up our adventure with a tour of the Papal tombs. Just to the right of the altar is a set of stairs that lead down to the Vatican Grottoes. Here, you can see the resting places of the Popes including John Paul II and Julius II. There is no admission charge however save this underground excursion for last because it will lead you outside of the church only to have to stand in line for security once again to get back in.

Well, I can go on and on about this place but will stop here. I can't emphasize enough that this must be a "must see" on your Roman holiday itinerary.

Next Stop is the Vatican Museum.

Arrivederci!