Ward Family Vacations

Italy 2001

St. Peter's Bascilica

Because the church was open (you can tell by the red cloth that usually hangs over the door is raised) the tour group was encouraged to visit the church as there is no set schedule on when it is open and there was no guarantee we would be back when it was.  It is hard to imagine the size of the church, although it looks big from the outside you can not comprehend just how large it is until you go inside.  It is the largest church in the world and can seat up to 60,000 people.  

The Baldachino built by Bernini and completed in 1633 below, is made of bronze and weights almost 93 tons.  Each of the four pillars stand 100 feet tall.  This monument is the altar of the church and set over the tomb of St. Peter.  The photo on the right below is the dome built by Michaelangelo.  This picture does not do it justice, but is the tallest dome in the world still today at 136 feet high.

The master Michaelangelo created the Pieta in 1499 when he was only 24 years old.  It depicts  Mary holding the crucified body of her son Jesus.  It is made of marble and is the only piece Michaelangelo carved his name on (across Mary's sash).  He did that because someone made the comment that another artist had created the sculpture.  Michaelangelo was said to have regretted being so prideful and said he would never sign another piece.