Ward Family Vacations

Italy 2001

Vatican City

After our trip to the Colosseum and Forum in the morning we went to Vatican City in the late morning, early afternoon.  The Pope was making a presentation to Spanish War veterans in the square in front of St. Peter's Bascilica and there was an extremely large crowd. It was something to watch CNN later that night and see a report on the special presentation made that day and to know that you were there.

Vatican City is a separate country in the middle of Rome with its own post office.  It is the smallest country in the world which houses the worlds largest church, St. Peter's Bascilica. It is something to stand in the square and look down the row of Embassies and then back towards St. Peter's.  We had a little time so went into a very crowded restaurant and had something to eat.  The food was great and also inexpensive (because US dollar was worth so much more than lira).

The Swiss Guards military corp was instituted January 21, 1506.  There are 100 guards who are all Swiss Nationals who still wear the 16th century uniforms designed by Michaelangelo in the colors of the Medici dynasty.

The process of making mosaics was explained. The pictures were extremely beautiful and very expensive! I bought a mosaic cross, which although it is small is quite beautiful.  This picture does not do it justice.  It has beautiful colors with a lot of light blues (my new favorite color of late years) and still today is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry.  I did buy two smaller mosaic crosses but they are not near as beautiful as this one and looking back I wish I had bought more than one!  I only paid 18000 lira which is comparable to $9 U.S.