Rome, Italy! One of my dream travel destinations. My family and I went for a short 5 days 4 nights vacation last 2012 and even though it was a few years ago, I’d still love to share my experience and show you the beauty that is Rome.
Luckily, the holiday house that we were staying at is right next St. Peter’s Square so on our first day in Rome, we decided to explore around the area first.
Walking through these pillars for the first time and seeing the place that I always see in movies, on the news, in photos! Just wowwwww. St. Peter’s Square is so much more beautiful in person.
Above the pillars or what they call the monumental colonnade are the statues of 140 saints by Bernini.
ST. PETER’S BASILICA!!!
This photo was taken early morning and as you see the line is looooong. But don’t worry, the line is always moving and from what I can remember we didn’t wait that long to get it.
Rules for entering. Try to avoid wearing shorts as they will not let you inside, it is church so remember to stay respectful 😉
Front entrance to the Basilica! It was such a beautiful day too.
Entering for the first time! Ahhh the ceiling!
We lined up to go to the Cupola first before looking around inside the Church, there we’re also a lot of people but worth the wait.
So beautifully built both inside and outside!
When visiting the Cupola you have two options, you can either choose to climb the stairs all the way to the top with fee of 5 euros or take the elevator for 7 euros. We chose the elevator, but be mindful though that even if you take the elevator, there are still 320 steps for you to climb before you reach the top!
One of the many public drinking fountains in Rome. Don’t worry it’s perfect safe to drink from here, so fill up your bottles before you climb.
The closer you get, the small the pathways become! I loved it! It felt like we’re going through a secret passage way. Maybe if I have the time and patience I’ll try to make a short video.
Admiring the beautiful ceiling of the Cupola
Amazing mosiac pieces surrounding the top of the dome
Ahhhhh, and we made it! ROME, YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Amazing view!
Inside St. Peter’s Basilica
Dream come true for me!
Around the base of the dome it reads, “TV ES PETRVS ET SVPER HANC PETRAM AEDIFICABO ECCLESIAM MEAM. TIBI DABO CLAVES REGNI CAELORVM” from Matthew 16:18-19 “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Entrance to St. Peter’s Tomb
Organs!!! Don’t see many of these around nowadays.
This is the statue of St. Peter. You can often see visitors touching or kissing his feet.
Amazing! Wonderful! Amazing! Stunning! I’m running out of adjectives to describe this place and I probably used amazing and beautiful way too much for one post, but I just to emphasize it. Hehehe! St. Peter’s Basilica is nothing short of beautiful and if you’re ever in Rome, do check this place off your list!
xo
