Saint Peter's Basilica, known as Basilica di San Pietro in the native Italian, is widely regarded as the pinnacle of Roman architecture. The church is one of the largest in the world, covering nearly 6 acres, and standing 450 feet tall. Created between the 14th and 15th centuries, the main bulk of the art and design of the monument was the work of a 72-year-old Michelangelo, one of the world's greatest art masters, after he assumed the role of chief architect in 1546. Though Michelangelo provided a lot of art and inspiration to the design of Saint Peter's, the famous dome was the work of Giacomo della Porta, and is often incorrectly credited to Michelangelo.
St. Peter's Square, an engineering masterpiece in its own right, lies before the huge steps leading up to the entrance. The square was designed by the famous sculptor Bernini, who has many works still standing around Rome: David, Ecstasy of St Theresa, Apollo and Daphne, the Fountain of the Four Rivers, and more. The 'piazza' is the gathering place for the audiences of the Pope's speeches, and contains 284 columns and a giant Roman obelisk. The obelisk's shadow passes through marked points around the square at noon, turning the square into a colossal sundial.
To enter Saint Peter's Basilica you must cover up, meaning that your arms, legs, chest, and shoulders should all be unseen. The best way to do this is to take a lightweight shirt that you can throw on before you enter. The guards hear hundreds of excuses every day and will not be lenient for any reason; if you want to get in, follow the rules. Also expect to be scanned and searched for even the slightest reason. Once past the guards, you are free to wander around the magnificent interior at your leisure.
As you enter, the sheer scale of the building takes over, and can leave you feeling quite dizzy. The interior of the Basilica is adorned with detailed sculptures from Michelangelo and Bernini, most notably Pietà, the main altar's baldachin, and St. Longinus. There are numerous tombs adorned with statues of saints, cherubs, angels, and in one case, the skeletal figure of death clutching an hourglass. Lighting in the interior is largely by natural light, and can be quite dark. Also, flashes for cameras are generally frowned upon, and you may be told to stop, so use a wall to steady yourself (tripods are not allowed) and boost those exposure times.
For the adventurous and the strong-willed, you can scale the cupola of Saint Peter's. Climbing to the top takes a lot of energy, through winding staircases and extremely cramped corridors. There is no air conditioning either, making summer ascensions even more demanding. The struggle is extremely worth it though, granting the intrepid several uniquely stunning views of the interior from above, the Vatican Gardens behind St. Peter's, and the famous Rome skyline that no postcard seems to do justice. The views from the top are simply some of the most sublime in the world, and take the appreciation of the architecture and of human achievement to higher levels.
Wherever you want to travel, whatever sights you wish to see, TripMama.com can get you there with the cheapest air fares on the web.
Author & Bio-
"Tina Halford" is a Senior Writer & Journalist working with TripMama. Tina writes articles with special focus on airlines discussion boards, besides sharing travel tips and nuggets on booking air deals, cheap, car rentals and travel destination.
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