Rome, Day 3: St. Peter's Basilica

This morning, we took metro from the station near our hotel to St. Peter's Basilica. Metro station in Rome was pretty depressing, dark and dirty with graffiti. Luckily, this was the only time we took metro in Rome because our hotel was in central location and we could walk to most of the sites. Watch out for pickpocketing when you take metro. I guarded my bag with my life, my hand was grabbing the bag opening tightly.

We went there pretty early to avoid the crowd, but there were already a lot of people at 9:00am. Apparently, everybody heard the tip saying no line before 9:30am, so they all showed up early in the morning. Now that tip doesn't work anymore. You don't need a ticket as it is free to enter St. Peter's Basilica, but there is still a line for security check. We waited in line for 20 minutes or so. It was not that bad except I thought I could just walk right in. I have a tip that actually works - There is no line after 4pm. It is definitely much less crowded in the late afternoon than morning. 

After we got inside St. Peter's Basilica, we just snapped happy. There is no doubt this is the biggest church in the world. It is gigantic. The architectural style is the combination of Renaissance and Baroque.

St. Peter's is a 16th century basilica with its impressive dome by Michelangelo. Around the inside of the dome, the writing says "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church…I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven…..

The canopy over the Papal Altar was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Rumor says it was a collaboration between Bernini and Borromini but only Bernini was credited. Could that be true?

The relic in front of the Dove of the Holy Spirit is Chair of Saint Peter or Throne of Saint Peter also by Bernini. I like the name Throne of Saint Peter better. 4 Doctors of the Church support the throne. Doctor of the Church is a title given by churches to people who contribute vital knowledge to theology or doctrine.

Here is the statue of Saint Peter, one of the Apostles of Jesus Christ, holding the key to heaven.

Michelangelo's Pietà is behind the glass. It is touching and graceful. The Pietà was created in 1499 when Michelangelo was only 25 years old.

The facade was designed by Carlo Mademo. It features Corinthian columns and a central pediment. There are 13 statues on top of the attic, Christ, 11 of the Apostles, and John the Baptist.

Members of the Pontifical Swiss Guard wear colorful uniforms. Known for their loyalty, they have been protecting the Popes since the 16th century.

Once you pass the colonnades by Bernini to enter St. Peter's Square, you just left Italy and arrive in Vatican City State. It is the smallest country in the world and is an enclave within the city of Rome. 

The elaborated bronze door is the Holy door. It is only opened during Holy Years, every 25 years on Christmas Eve. The reliefs tell biblical stories.

After gawking at everything in St. Peter's Basilica, we decided to visit Vatican Museum first and come back later to climb the dome if we still had energy after the trip to the museum. 

By the way, Vatican City has its own post office. JJ mailed a postcard with the Vatican City stamp to himself as a souvenir. He received it after a month. This is probably the slowest postal service in the world.