St Peter's Basilica, Rome

Saturday 17th October

St Peter’s Basilica

Although we were in the Basilica a couple of days ago we wanted to see more of it, as well as going into the cupola and into the crypt. We got up bright and early and only needed to queue for a short time. We took the lift up to the 3rd level and from there ascended the narrow, winding staircase which brought us to the lower rim of the cupola. We were able to walk around half of it and look below to the main body of the church. We then went up higher still and were able to go outside to see amazing views of the square and all over Rome. The people below looked very tiny! We were up very, very high.

We descended the staircase and were able to go out onto the roof, behind the statues of Sts Matthew and Thomas and other apostles. The views were incredible.
We then returned to the main body of the church and looked at it all over again. We entered the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and rested a while, then continued the tour. The statue of St Peter is mediaeval, and one of his feet is almost worn away, as people kiss it or rub it for good luck. Today it was roped off, so we hope our luck from the Trevi Fountain holds out – or is that to return to Rome? Somewhere we have done something for luck! There were a couple of bodies of dead popes (photos of course), amazing sculptures, mosaics, candelabra etc etc. Everything is enormous, but does not look out of place.

The Pieta is simply beautiful. This, and David, are the most beautiful sculptures I have seen. They are “alive”. I must be a Michelangelo fan. I kept being drawn back to the Pieta – there is so much emotion displayed in the Madonna’s face – she looks broken hearted, yet serene and calm. Christ’s lifeless body looks as if it has just flopped across his mother’s lap.
We then went down to the Crypt which houses the bodies of the popes, including John Paul II, which had several floral tributes and several people weeping in front of it. Amazingly St Peter’s body is here also and his tomb is rather dignified.

We spent a couple of hours shopping and sought the advice of our guide book as to where the locals shop. We took the metro out to the ‘burbs, but unfortunately, as it was Saturday afternoon, most of the shops were closed. Thwarted again! We had a final dinner at a local trattoria with Michael and Karol - this is our last day together and they leave for home in the morning. We toasted our travels together and briefly discussed the possibility of “next time....” Who knows?

This is our last full day in Rome as we leave for Dubai tomorrow afternoon. Europe has been wonderful – there hasn’t been a day pass that we haven’t been amazed, astounded, interested, gob smacked or enthralled. How soon will we return?