Travel Tips

Walking into Saint Peter's basilica (San Pietro) my jaw dropped and I had to stop myself from swearing, instead I just said 'wow!'. San Pietro, I think, is the epitomy of oppulence. You can tell from the outside of the basilica that it is very large, but stepping through the doors I was just in awe. The large hall and its stunning arches in marble, the large dome, the gilded bronze canopy... it was brilliant.

Hmm... I'm not completely sure what this is - I think it was like a papal seal in bronze, and it was embedded in the floor. I just thought the design was interesting, simple and beautfiul.

These are probably the tallest arches I have ever walked past in my life, I felt as if I was walking into a hall that was once a home to some kind of mythical giant.

Some of the materials used to build San Pietro were taken from homes/palaces that used to be in the Forum and other areas of the city. Many different people gave to help build this magnificent basilica.

This canopy was created by the artist Bernini in the 17th Century. Within the canopy is a papal alter, which dates back to the 16th Century. Also in front of the canopy at its base is a coat of arms of Pope Urban VIII, which features the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Found just to the right of the Baldacchino, it is supposed to be good luck to touch or kiss the feet of the bronze sculpture of St. Peter. When I was there the line was pretty long, but was moving quickly.

I only found out after I left that this was a monument to Pope Alexander the VII. At first I just thought it was a great scultpure, and I was mainly just watching members of the clergy (unsure if that is the correct term), coming in and out of the doors. But it is a great sculpture to view.

Michelangelo's 'The Pieta
I remember studying this sculpture when I was in my high school arts class. So it was cool to finally see it after having studied it about 7-8 years ago. I think it is a beautfiul sculpture of the Virgin Mary holding her son in her lap, it is both sweet and sad.

Michelangelo finished the sculpture when he was 25 (he was 24 when it was commissioned). It is just to the right of the entrance into the San Pietro and is protected by glass since being damaged back in 1972.