A Week in Rome: Atop St. Peter's Dome

I've been asked how one stays in shape while vacationing in Italy, given the excellent food. Well it's simple. Italy is, in fact, one gigantic stairmaster. Stairs are absolutely everywhere. And some of the best stairs around are the ones that take you up the dome at St. Peter's.

We took an elevator up a few hundred feet to the main roof, and then hiked up the dome from there. It's quite an ordeal, made even more strenuous by the narrow passageways. Not for the claustrophobic or out-of-shape, that's for sure. Because the way up is fairly crowded, and there are few spots to rest without blocking others, there's as bit of pressure to just keep on trucking, regardless of imminent demise.

But once you get to the top, oh yes, it's worth it.

The view extends from St. Peter's Square, which is of course not particularly square, to all the many neighborhoods of Rome that have crept up around the Vatican. Hundreds of years ago, the Vatican was far more isolated from the throngs of Rome. Now it's packed in all around.

The Vatican gardens stretch out below.

The Castle St. Angelo, our next stop, can be seen perched on the river Tiber.

The contrast of white Vatican structures against the more colorful Roman buildings can be seen all around.

Atop the roof of the Vatican, one can see statues of the many saints adorning the front of the building.

Some of them don't appear, er, very saintly.

Ten or fifteen feet tall they look down upon the masses during the masses.

The Swiss Guards--who are actually Swiss, and are also guards--can be seen guarding some entrances. They're the closest thing the Pope has to an army.

The romance of Rome permeates the square, and as we leave, a couple pose for wedding pictures by the fountain.

Next up: where to go if you're the Pope and people, uhm, don't like you so much.

On into the Basilica. We had to pass through a security checkpoint before passing through yet more enormous columns.

It truly is an extraordinary church. Its size, decoration, and place in history take your breath away, no matter your opinion of its current managers.

The altar was especially nice. It's hard to see in this picture, but in the center of the white stained glass n the middle is a dove flying out of blinding white light.

This woman asks, "why do I have to carry EVERYTHING?"

Dad takes in the scenery.

Around the inside of the basilica is an inscription in latin. The section of inscription in the dome area translates as, "You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and I will give you the keys of heaven ". The section below is near the entrance.