Personal travel impressions in stories and pictures from Saint Peter, Vatican, Vatican City. Click on the pictures to enlarge, send as a free e-card, or download for personal use. You can locate Saint Peter and navigate the world using Google Earth
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N 41° 54.132 E 12° 27.282
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Visited: March 2003 and several times before
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At the height of the Renaissance, Pope Julius II decided that the Catholic church needed a new basilica which would overshadow all other Catholic buildings in the world. Initially, Bramante was the main architect of the new building, but it was Michelangelo who made the design of the Saint Peter as we know it now. Later on, other architects added more elements like the enormous square inside the double-colonned portico - all together, they are what we know now as the Saint Peter. You can enjoy the Saint Peter from the outside, from the inside and from above.
While the cupola is visible from many parts in Rome, when you walk on its square, it disappears behind the frontside of the basilica. Michelangelo intended the cupola to be seen from below, but the later additions now largely block the view. Nevertheless, it is thrilling to walk from the Castel d'Angelo towards the Saint Peter. A wide avenue, often filled with tourists, flows towards the famous landmark. Without noticing it, somewhere before entering the square you cross the Italian-Vatican border. As you enter the square itself, it opens up on both sides, an obelisk in the middle, and double colonnaded porticoes mark the borders if this oval.
While saints look down on you from above the porticoes, you walk across the square and are screened before entering the Saint Peter itself. It is here that its size comes down on you, its enormity, the ceiling that is high above your head, the long aisle, all of which is extensively decorated by other renowned artists like Bernini. What I liked best, though, was to climb the stairs. It gives you access to the central cupola, and from there you can climb still higher to the lantern, from which the views of St. Peter's square, and the Eternal City are superb.
