Vatican - Part 2 - St. Peter's Basilica 1

As we go into St. Peter's Basilica, it is huge. That word probably does not explain how large it actually is. This is the largest church of any Christian church in the world. I just recently found out that it is really a Basilica as opposed to a Cathedral. the difference is that a Basilica actually has the person that it is named after buried in that location.

As we go in, we turn to the right and the first thing we see is the Chapel of the Pieta. This was created by Michelangelo and is amazing. It is currently behind a Plexiglas window as several years ago someone came in with a hammer and started banging away.

Since we were in here on two different days, there were still things that we haven;t seen and things we saw we have no idea what they were.

At the west end of the of the basilica, is Throne of St. Peter which was created by Bernini.

Another which was unbelievable was the Tomb of Pope Alexander VII which was created by Bernini. The size of this work was difficult to grasp as it would have been overkill in any other area other than St. Peter's Basilica.

It didn't matter whether you looked down at the floors because they were amazing also. The marble came from all over the world.

 

Every once in a while you would see these ornate metal grates which allowed air from the lower levels.

In the middle of the area was a long floor blocked off from the public. We found that this was an area that was reserved for the Pope should he decide to visit the Basilica. It would be easier for security to create a safe zone for the Pope to walk in. At the entrance area is a door which only the Pope uses. Otherwise, it remains closed.

And then if you looked up, the ceilings were even more amazing.

Next blog, more of St. Peter's Basilica.