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Rome 2006

St. Peters - inside

Fantastic. With light spilling in through the windows and smoke in the air from the masses that are celebrated here, the sunbeams lit up the cavernous interior in a spectacular show of illumination. Everywhere I turned were massive statues, paintings, carvings, and gilded pieces. I just wandered, trying to take as much of it in as possible (and failing miserably, I'm sure).

To the right when you walk in is the Porta Santa, the Holy Door that is only opened in Holy Years (which I think means years that end in "0"). It was obviously sealed off, since the year that I visited was not a Holy year (since it ended with "6"). Right next to it is Michelangelo's Pietà, one of his most famous sculptures - and made when he was 24!


At the far end, directly in front of the door, stands the massive baldacchino that rises 95 feet high above the high altar (and the tomb of St. Peter). It is located directly below the dome, and the views of the work on it and around it are simply stunning. Tradition has it that it was made out of the bronze that used to top the Pantheon, although I've seen some sources that dispute it. What is not in dispute, however, is the artistry of it and everything else inside the church.

And what would the ancient seat of a religion be without fantastic artwork to be found everywhere?! From carvings of dragons in the corners. to saints on the ceilings, to statues and frescos of Jesus around every corner - St. Peter's has it all. It really does become overwhelming - but then again you are seeing more then 2,000 years of history here.

and of course history is still being made. On the floor is a seal of Pope John Paul II, the Polish priest who had been pope for most of my life - more than 26 years - before dying last April

St Peter's: Main page - Outside in the day - Outside in the night - Inside - Mass - Treasury

Rome 2006:

Main Rome 2006 Page - Pyramide - Baths - Circus Maximus - Colosseum - Forum - Trajan's Column - Piazza Venezia - Capitoline - Trevi Fountain - Santa Maria sopra Minerva - Pantheon - Navano - Spanish Steps - Sant Angelo - St. Peter's - Vatican - Life in Rome - Other

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