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St. Peter's Basilica

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kylebarber
kylebarber
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4 out of 5
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Scavi of St. Peter's Basilica

  • July 6, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Shetraveler from Campbell, California
The Scavi or undergound necropolis of St. Peter''s Basilica is ground zero for the Catholic church. By going underneath the basilica and seeing firsthand how the city has been layered over the centuries, you''ll easily understand how St. Peter''s remains could have been "misplaced".

You''ll be assigned to a group of no more than 15 and your guide will lead you back into another century when Romans buried their ancestors in these literal "cities of the dead." The excavation is continual and recently better lighting has been added. Reservations are a must: send an e-mail to uff.scavi@fabricsp.va. Try to give a range of dates and language preference in your request as tour availability is limited. You will have to pay the full amount (at that time is was$ 8 US/person)in advance via personal bank draft or money order.

If you want to see just St. Peter''s tomb and not the underground city, you can enter via the Basilica.

From journal Roam in Rome

Editor Pick

Basilica di San Pietro

  • June 28, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Shetraveler from Campbell, California
Basilica di San Pietro

St Peter''s basilica is another of those Roman buildings that has mastered the use of interior space. Like the Pantheon, from its exterior, it''s deceptively compact, but once you get inside, you realize this building can hold a lot of people. But it never feels crowded, and that''s why it''s so extraordinary. On any given day, you can see visiting pilgrims, school groups, tourists and scholars from everwhere in the world, all drawn to the seat of the Catholic religion. Spend some time watching the light come through the dome, hitting Bernini''s baldacchino and notice how he got it so right when he designed the stained glass window on the back wall of the basilica. Wait your turn to step right up the protective gate to see Michaelangelo''s Pieta. You will linger as you study faces of the two figures and wonder how big M managed to carved something so profound out of one piece of marble.

Photographer''s Tips: You can photograph to your heart''s content inside as all of the "paintings" are actually mosaics, all lovingly reproduced by the Vatican School of Mosaics. Also what''s fun is taking a picture of the 6 foot tall cherubs upon entering the basilica (they hold the holy water, near the entrance). Take a photo of one of them alone, and then take one with someone next to it for scale. If you show someone the photo of the putti alone, they''d never believe they were 6 feet tall!

From journal Roam in Rome

Editor Pick

St. Peter's Basilica

  • May 22, 2001
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Mary Louisa from Wilmington, Delaware
St. Peter's Basilica

Our first introduction to St. Peter's Basilica was heavenly. Although my husband and I aren't Roman Catholic, we were privileged to see and hear part of Mass at St. Peter's on a Friday at 5pm. For those who want to participate, the guards will let you past the cordon to sit in the pews. Of course, all in the entire church are requested to remain silent. The priest sang the Mass, with his assistants chanting after him (apologies for not knowing the terminology). It was absolutely beautiful.

We had arrived at St. Peter's Square at 3pm and had lots of fun looking at the perspective trick of the colonnades--when you stand on a particular disk in front of them, the four rows appear as one row. But we knew grander things awaited inside the church itself.

The first thing that struck me upon entering was the beauty of the light that streamed through the windows in the late afternoon--as though God himself was making an appearance in His house. Two of my photos reflect this somewhat (see below). The mosaic murals and ceiling decorations (I initially thought they were paintings until I began to notice the subtle sparkles in them) add to the celestial light show.

And the Bernini baldachin! That bronze canopy in the middle of the nave is quite a show piece. The Pope must feel very special inside that creation--at least like the head of the Roman Catholic Church, maybe?

You must not miss the moving Pieta by Michelangelo, which is now set back behind plexiglass, sadly. Also, an earlier bronze sculpture of St. Peter himself is further along on the right, and you'll see that the toes of his right foot are smoothly worn away from many kisses and caresses by devoted pilgrims (including Popes).

I must say that the church from the outside looks overwhelmingly large, but once you're inside it seems absolutely manageable. And then you learn that 100,000 people can fit inside. Hmmmm. This church is a must-see.

Note: you must wear clothing that covers your shoulders and knees to gain entrance into the Basilica.

From journal Four Days in Rome

Editor Pick

Basilica di San Pietro

  • November 30, 2000
  • Rated 3 of 5 by kylebarber from Seattle, Washington
The Basilica di San Pietro is huge, yet surpringsly intimate and beautiful. The stern guards that are looking for an opportunity to turn away t-shirt or shorts clad tourists can't dampen the joy that stems from visiting this lovely cathedral. There are lots of world-class art works on display here, including the church's magnificent architecture. Michelangelo and Raphael both contributed to the Basilica di San Pietro's construction before their deaths. Even if the idea of visiting the Vatican seems fairly dull to you, make sure to stop by this church for quick visit, as it really is an amazing sight.

From journal Italy: Rome

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