Page 10: Rome and the Vatican 2010

Rome and the Vatican 2010

Rome

Rome is absolutely gorgeous, breathtaking, marvelous, exceptional. It has a rich history in terms of democracy, art and architecture.  

The Renaissance was a cultural movement started in Italy between the 14th and 17th centuries. During that time, literature and art flourished. Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael were three of the most important masters of the Renaissance. These artistic giants, among other accomplishments, designed buildings, painted frescoes and carved statues. Bernini is also a well-known master who is one of the architects responsible for the Trevi Fountain.

We begin our tour of Rome at the Spanish Steps that join the "French Church" (built by the King of France) and the Spanish Embassy. The steps were built between 1723 and 1725. They begin at the church, go past the embassy and end at a beautiful boat-shaped fountain at the bottom.

Half-way down the steps. The Spanish Embassy is on my left.

The beautiful boat-shaped fountain at the bottom of the steps commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and completed in 1627 by Bernini is named Fontana Della Barcaccia.

Breathtaking - the Trevi Fountain. I never imagined it was so big and so beautiful.

As I noted in the blog on Turkey, there are distinct historical links between the various Mediterranean countries. Early on, most of them were part of Greece and then as the Roman Empire began to grow, they became Roman. Greeks and Romans were pagans meaning that they believed in numerous gods (e.g., Zeus and Jupiter). When the Roman Empire embraced Christianity, the old temples became Catholic churches. In some countries the Ottoman Turks took over and then the old temples that became churches were now turned into mosques. We saw examples of this throughout Rome.

In the Piazza del Popolo (the People's Square) is an obelix taken from the Sun Temple of Heliopolis (in Cairo, Egypt) by the Roman Emperor, Augustus. It was first installed in the Circus Maximus (the largest stadium of Rome), but moved to the Piazza in the late 16th century. 

Installing a cross on top of the obelix saved it from destruction by the Christians who wanted to remove all pagan images. 

Here's Bill showing off in front of the Fountain of the Four Rivers built by Bernini and located in the Piazza Navona.

This is the Pantheon, originally built to honour all ancient Roman Gods. 

The Pantheon was converted into a church by Pope Boniface IV in the 7th century so it wouldn't have to be destroyed because of its pagan genesis. It is now named the Church of Sancta Maria ad Martyres.

Like many other buildings in Rome, it's massive.

There is an opening at the top of the dome that allows natural light to filter in. However, it also allows rain to pour in - that's why there are a number of drains in the floor.

Beautifully decorated with frescoes and statues.

Churches and basilica in Italy are often used to inter important people. Here is Raphael's tomb in the Church of Sancta Maria ad Martyres.

 The Vatican 

The Vatican, ruled by the Pope, is a walled city/state in the middle of Rome - it is the smallest country in the world. 

Some of you will already know this, but my mother was a nun. Yes folks, a true blue nun of the Order of the Assumption. 

Her name as a nun was Soeur Mariange de l'Eucharistie.  Wasn't she pretty?

Well, my brother JP will know that we were raised to be good upstanding Catholics - we went to church on Sundays and went to the Catholic school where we were taught all about the Catholic religion. Although I'm no longer religious (I think of myself as spiritual instead and if I don't actually embrace any religion in particular, I respect anyone's right to believe in or practice whatever religion they wish to), I got a very reverent sensation when I first set eyes on the place where the Pope resides and prays. 

St. Peter's Basilica dominates the Vatican and is built in the shape of a cross. It is said that St. Peter's tomb is buried under the Basilica. St. Peter is one of Jesus' 12 apostles and he's the one who Jesus commanded to build the Catholic Church. 

Here is St. Peter's Basilica designed in part by Bernini and Michelangelo. It is the greatest of all the Catholic churches in the world. 

Attached to the Basilica is the Apostolic Palace (the palace of the Pope). The Sistine Chapel, whose ceiling was painted by Michelangelo, is located inside the palace.

The Pope's bedroom is the second window from the left on the top floor of the Palace. I think he was peeking through his curtains at me. 

The inside of the Basilica is enormous. There may be 12 or more chapels within it.  It was so big I could not keep track. The Basilica contains some of the world's most prized pieces of art and architecture. It's lavishly decorated with frescoes, statues and gilding and houses a number of tombs of popes and other important people. 

This is a canopy designed by Bernini, using bronze taken from the Pantheon. It is said to cover St. Peter's tomb. 

This is the actual main alter of the Basilica. 

Just a small alcove with a statue - in fact it's a monument to Pope Alexander VII by Bernini. It's actually huge, but it shrinks within the large size of the Basilica.

A partial view of the dome designed by Michelangelo.

I'm in awe - Michelangelo's La Pieta - behind glass, of course.

Just like any other tourist attraction, we end up at the souvenir shop.  The only difference is that this one is run by nuns. This reminded me of my Mom and my time at school (I attended high school in a convent).  

St. Peter's Basilica is truly beautiful and there can't be anything in the world that can possibly compare to it (although I may be surprised when I visit the Forbidden City or the Taj Mahal).  However, and it's a big HOWEVER, I find it shameful that a religion preaching poverty and humility should display such opulence and not be tempted to sell off most of its treasures to actually help the poor of the world. 

View my next blog, Florence and Tuscany 2010.