On Friday, we went to the Vatican. We met at St. Peter's Basilica in the morning, went through security (Rome's major basilicas have metal detectors), and then got to enjoy one of the most fabulous churches in the world. St. Peter's has been built and rebuilt several times over the centuries, and there are several interesting things to see inside. Everyone's favorite is, of course, St. Peter, whose foot is starting to look a little bit worn out because pilgrims like to rub and even kiss it:
There are also several other hidden gems scattered about the place, such as an altar to Gregory the Great, who has a special place in history and in my heart as the first truly papal Pope. There are also some VERY interesting paintings on the ceiling if you look closely. This one is part of a set that is supposed to represent the four corners of the earth, and probably symbolizes Africa. It's weird to see stereotypes from another era living on in the current one... although not as surprising as I would like.
And I haven't even mentioned the Pieta, which remains a real showstopper. It's hard to get close to really examine it, which is kind of a shame because it's such a masterpiece. I guess it's not that different from trying to get a good look at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre:
After our contemplation of St. Peter's Basilica, we got to take a tour of one of the holiest sites for Christians: The Vatican Necropolis, where the alleged bones of St. Peter have been venerated for centuries. To see the bones, we got to go underground, below St. Peter's itself, to wander through some ancient tombs and finally get to St. Peter's burial place. It was a bit gross down there because they keep it at 95% humidity, but it's otherwise a fantastic experience.
Alas, photographs are not permitted, so if you want to see, you'll have to come to Rome and take the tour yourself. I highly recommend it. Our group split into two groups to take the tour, and it's clear that different tour guides emphasize different aspects of the site and also put personal spins on whether they believe the bones are authentically St. Peter's. For me, it doesn't really matter whether they are "really" his—what matters is that people think they are, and choose interesting ways to pay their respects.
Once we had reemerged above ground, we went to the Vatican Museums, which are always worth a visit. The Vatican has so many treasures that the exhibits are haphazard, overwhelming you with how many precious and interesting items there are to see. As part of the AAR program, we were able to access a gallery that isn't typically open to the public and see Augustus of Prima Porta, probably the most famous depiction of Augustus, the first Roman emperor.
We then wandered around enjoying incredible classical sculptures, and we took a trip to see the School of Athens in person before heading to the Sistine Chapel. The guards in there had a heck of a time trying to maintain silence and prevent people from snapping photos, but it is probably a lost cause. As a teacher, I deeply sympathize.
There are also several other hidden gems scattered about the place, such as an altar to Gregory the Great, who has a special place in history and in my heart as the first truly papal Pope. There are also some VERY interesting paintings on the ceiling if you look closely. This one is part of a set that is supposed to represent the four corners of the earth, and probably symbolizes Africa. It's weird to see stereotypes from another era living on in the current one... although not as surprising as I would like.
And I haven't even mentioned the Pieta, which remains a real showstopper. It's hard to get close to really examine it, which is kind of a shame because it's such a masterpiece. I guess it's not that different from trying to get a good look at the Mona Lisa in the Louvre:
After our contemplation of St. Peter's Basilica, we got to take a tour of one of the holiest sites for Christians: The Vatican Necropolis, where the alleged bones of St. Peter have been venerated for centuries. To see the bones, we got to go underground, below St. Peter's itself, to wander through some ancient tombs and finally get to St. Peter's burial place. It was a bit gross down there because they keep it at 95% humidity, but it's otherwise a fantastic experience.
Alas, photographs are not permitted, so if you want to see, you'll have to come to Rome and take the tour yourself. I highly recommend it. Our group split into two groups to take the tour, and it's clear that different tour guides emphasize different aspects of the site and also put personal spins on whether they believe the bones are authentically St. Peter's. For me, it doesn't really matter whether they are "really" his—what matters is that people think they are, and choose interesting ways to pay their respects.
Once we had reemerged above ground, we went to the Vatican Museums, which are always worth a visit. The Vatican has so many treasures that the exhibits are haphazard, overwhelming you with how many precious and interesting items there are to see. As part of the AAR program, we were able to access a gallery that isn't typically open to the public and see Augustus of Prima Porta, probably the most famous depiction of Augustus, the first Roman emperor.
We then wandered around enjoying incredible classical sculptures, and we took a trip to see the School of Athens in person before heading to the Sistine Chapel. The guards in there had a heck of a time trying to maintain silence and prevent people from snapping photos, but it is probably a lost cause. As a teacher, I deeply sympathize.
1 comment:
If that's Augustus, it seems he might have been rather handsome. - Mom
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