Rome, Day 2: Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica

After touring the Vatican Museum, I headed to St. Peter's Square, the area in front of the basilica. This is where the Apostle Peter was crucified when this area was simply known as "Vatican Hill." After filling my water bottle with holy water from the fountain near the obelisk, I headed to the security area into St. Peter's Basilica.

In St. Peter's Square, where Peter was crucified

While the Swiss Guard is the official police/security force of the Vatican, the security search was done by people in normal security guard clothes. As with most churches in Italy, there was the official dress code, which only allowed shorts below the knee and for shoulders to be covered.

The Swiss Guard in front of St. Peter's 

No indecently dressed people allowed (and apparently, no one-legged people, either)

St. Peter's Basilica is simply HUGE. It would hold 60,000 worshippers (standing) in its 6 acres. That's more than the record attendance at ISU football games (56,000). Marks on the floor show where the world's other largest churches would fit inside. The atrium in front is larger than most churches. Right inside is Michelangelo's Pietà behind bullet-proof glass. The main altar is directly over the tomb of the Apostle Peter. The bronze canopy over it is 7 stories tall. Directly above the altar is the largest dome in the world, taller than a football field is long. Below the church is the crypt containing the remains of many popes, including John Paul II. No pictures are allowed in this area. JPII's tomb is very simple: a covering of white marble with a gold Latin inscription. A guard watches as people lay flowers, rosaries, and pay their respects.

St. Peter's Basilica, looking toward the altar

Michelangelo's La Pietà

The dome above the altar (more than a football field's distance away)

The way to the top of the dome passes through the inside of the dome, affording a view of the inside of the church, behind fencing. An elevator goes up halfway and then you must climb another 323 steps to the top. While buying my ticket up, I learned apparently "One ticket for the elevator" translates in Italian to "Two tickets for the stairs." The stairs were 2€ cheaper, so after trying to get just one ticket, I was just given one for the stairs, which I was told while in line for the elevator. So I went up the stairs (and beat all the people in front of me in line, anyway).

Looking down toward the church from the dome on the way to the top

A look out to St. Peter's Square from the top of the dome

Looking out toward Rome (the Colosseum is in the center, but hard to distinguish)

Near the statues on the top of St. Peter's Basilica

The souvenir stand on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica (sign above the door reads "Souvenirs")

Afterward, I headed back to have supper at the hostel. Later that night, since it was one of the Australian's birthday, we headed back out to the Trevi Fountain to see it at night and celebrate. 

The Trevi Fountain at night