St Peter's

We toured the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel earlier in the week, but photos were not allowed and the crowding was terrible. An early effort on Wed. to visit the basilica flopped as the Pope addresses the public at 10am on Wednesdays, so access was impossible until mid-afternoon. On our last morning we made early, beat the crowds and were even able to access the dome.

S. Peter's Basilica. We managed a visit on our last morning, got there early and beat the crowds (especially the cruise ship hoardes)

Two altars are seen, the closer is an 'in the round'. Nothing we had seen (and believe me, we saw plenty of big churches) came close to the scale and majesty of St. Peter's.
Both sides of basilica were lined with altars , and masses were being held constantly (priests must celebrate mass daily) at those smaller altars; six or seven were in progress during our visit.

We climbed to the top of the dome. It's shadow is cast over the Papal gardens, most of which can be seen.

Note the 'bump-out' of the dome at the bottom of the picture? there are many around the dome, each with a unique inscription.

A view from the top! With the camera on a ledge
the shutter timer did the work .

It looks like the sunbeam is chasing Carol! The view is toward the front of the basilica.

Seen here is the right side of the basilica with the camera turned sideways but still unable to capture a full vertical field.

The Pieta, Michaengelo's first major work (he was in his mid-twenties when he completed it) is immediately in the front of the basilica on the right. There is a heavy glass shield protecting the piece.

The last 2 postings were made from home. Internet service in Rome was just too sketchy, especially when relatively lartge files were involved.

We hope you got a little taste of Italy. Ciao!