St. Peter's

St. Peter's Square

One day when I had an afternoon to spend alone entertaining myself I went for a very long walk and found myself in St. Peter's Square. In the Square itself, in front of the Basilica, workers were busy dismantling the life size creche that had been there since before Christmas. Crowds of people had gathered to watch this event and many were vying with eachother to get the attention of the workers in hopes of being given one of the large golden balls that had decorated the tree. I tried to get the attention of one of the workers and get an ornament myself but, I wasn't sucessful and moved away from the frenzy empty handed.

After going inside the Basilica and looking at all of the spendid works inside I decided that I wanted to climb to the top of the dome. I purchased my ticket and began my ascent. Foolishly, I decided that I wanted the full experience and started off up the stairs rather than taking the elevator that was available for the first segment of the climb (from street level to the roof level). The stairs started out easy and on a very small incline but they became gradually more steep and narrow as I continued my climb.

The most amazing part of this section of the climb was when I came to a landing where you go into the Basilica itself at the level of the interior base of the dome. From here you can look at the decorations on the inside of the dome. From the floor of the Basilica these appear to be frescoes but, from up close you can see that they are actually very large mosaics

Eventually I reached the roof level. From here I could look out into the Square or look up and see the exterior of the dome from a closer vantage point. As the climb continued I realized that I was getting closer to the top and was really going along the inside of the dome because the stairway began to lean sideways with the curve of the dome.

Finally, out of breath, my lungs burning for air and my face hot and red, I reached the last stair and found myself at the observation level on the very top of the dome. The sun was setting and I could look out in all directions and see the city bathed in a pink and orange glow.

The Palatine Hill | The Roman Forum | The Campidoglio | Ostia Antica