The Vatican
St Peter's Basilica
The
Vatican state's Basilica di San Pietro and the Bernini-designed
Piazza San Pietro. The curved lines of huge columns encircling
the square symbolically welcome visitors to the Catholic church
with open arms.
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The
Vatican, a sovereign (self-controlled) state within Italy since
1929 has around 1,000 inhabitants living in spacious, attractive
and well-protected surroundings. Security indoors is famously
provided by Swiss guards in colourful stripey uniforms designed
by - no prizes for guessing - Michelangelo.
Varied
Vatican buildings with St Peter's Basilica in the distance.
St. Peter's Basilica (as it's known in English) and the Vatican Museums
are one of Rome's must-dos, even if you're not a Christian and
don't like crowds, as the size, affluence and history of the
place is fascinating while the amazing works of art are world-beating.
St Peter is supposedly buried directly beneath the basilica's
dome, Rome's largest at 41m diameter.
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Castel Sant' Angelo.
The
pope's retreat in troubled times, the Castel Sant' Angelo, was
in fact built by Emperor Hadrian as his own mausoleum (tomb).
The circular castle is a short and protected walk from the Vatican
and now functions as a pleasant and interesting museum, with
free tours in English on weekend afternoons.
The view of the Vatican and St Peter's Basilica from Castel Sant' Angelo.
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