Today we passed into another independent state, complete with it's own currency (although rare and hardly seen in circulation due to collectors), postal service, and I suppose form of government. The Pope is not only the leader of the church, but also the leader of this independent state. We were able to see the Swiss Guard in action allowing a priest to enter the side of St. Peter's Basilica, and then returning his spear to cross over the entrance. We stood in St. Peter's square. We walked through the Vatican Museum and viewed Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, where the Pope is elected. The Vatican did not disappoint! And may I just say, that all the gigantic churches, cathedrals, the duomo in Florence, and St. Mark's basilica in Venice could not prepare me for the gargantuan St. Peter's Basilica. OMG, I don't know if it is totally proper to use omg when describing anything in the Vatican, but my goodness it is amazing! There are tile markings on the floor that indicated where certain other largest churches of the world would end if they were to go inside St. Peters, all fall short prior to even reaching the main altar. It St. Peters is, of course, St. Peter's tomb. We were not able to go down (you must have a reservation made months ahead of time), but I was able to get pictures from the top. The Domes seem to go on for forever, and the Pieta is beautiful despite being made to reside behind bullet proof glass (apparently years ago a wacko ran inside with a hammer and started going to town on it) hence now the bullet proof glass. At the far end of the church there is stained glass with only a dove seeming to fly right over head. It was rainy the today, but on sunny days it is supposed to let the sun in in such a way that it seems like streaks of gold are streaming in all around the white dove. I can only image the beauty. No picture I could ever take would give a hint to the magnificence of this basilica, but of course I shall try! Your best bet would be to come see it yourself, no matter what religion you are, you will be awe inspired or at least very impressed!
The Basilica dome from a Vatican Museum window
The oldest Christian symbol
Exhibit at the Vatican Museum
Papal crest on the floor
Tapestry of Christ's Resurrection. You can't tell from the picture but it is said that as you walk past the tapestry and look in Jesus's eyes they follow you. They kinda did. :)
Tapestry of Julius Caesar's assassination. That is him getting stabbed in the bottom right.
Another Museum exhibit
Floor mosaic of chariot and rider
Papal crest on a door
Vatican Museum gigantic spiral staircase (from the top)
from the bottom
The Swiss Guard
The ceiling of the "porch" right before entering the Basilica
one of the domes in the Basilica
Michelangelo's Pieta (Mary holding Jesus after he was crucified)
The main dome of the basilica right above the main alter (you can't see it, and nor could I, but up at the very top in the middle a painting of God looks down on the altar.
from the main alter up to the dome
St. Peter's tomb located right in front of the main altar
me rubbing St. Peter's foot
This is behind the main altar, there were rows of pews roped off, and that circle in the middle is where the stained glass window of the dove is.
me near the entrance of the Basilica... alllll the way to the very back, that bright yellow circle is the dove stained glass window.
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