I manage to have a little bit of a sleep-in as my tour for St Peter’s Basilica doesn’t start until after 8am. This will be my last tour while in Rome and I’m looking forward to it. The Basilica is supposed to be magnificent.
I luck out and end up in a group of just four other people. We make our way through security (like at the airport) and as we get closer to the front doors the Basilica looms way, way above me. I knew it was large after seeing the exterior the other day, but being beside it I realize just how massive it is. We’re going to do the hard part first and climb the 350 steps to the top of the Dome after a short elevator ride. The steps are extremely narrow and spiral upwards. I’m puffing by the time we reach the top but rewarded with an unbelievable view of the mosaic-filled dome. The artwork looks like paintings but they’re actually miniature mosaics. The people in the apse below look like ants and the choir’s voices sails upward.
We make our way further up to the outer balcony that affords us 360 views of Rome. We can see the Pope’s residence which is a smaller monastery beside the Basilica. He’s a humble man and has opted to live a less opulent lifestyle than his predecessors.
It’s time to head down to the interior of the Basilica and I carefully pick my way down the stairs. A slip here would probably end my trip. We enter the Basilica and I stop in awe. It has literally taken my breath away with how beautiful it is. Mosaics and sculptures cover the walls and ceilings. The columns anchor the marble floors with the domes that soar above me.
While there, I’m lucky enough to witness a wedding taking place. If the bride isn’t nervous enough, she now has a hundred tourists watching her walk with her father to meet her new husband.
A few fun facts about the Basilica: it’s the largest in the world, it took over a century to complete, St Peter is believed to be the first saint, all the Vatican Guards are Swiss and aren’t allowed to marry while employed by the Vatican, Pope John Paul was declared a saint shortly after his passing and he’s entombed in the Basilica (not all the popes are), Michelangelo’s famous sculpture inside the Basilica was completed when he was just twenty-four and it’s the only sculpture he signed, and Michelangelo didn’t die until he was in his nineties which is unheard of in that time period.
After the tour is over I spend another hour exploring. I can’t get over the size and beauty of this place. I reluctantly leave and realize it’s after noon and I’ve yet to eat anything. A late lunch is in order and I know just the place. Cencio La Paraolaccia was recommended by my food tour guide, so I make my way to the Trastevere neighbourhood. The restaurant is in a cobbled lane with colourful buildings. The traffic is limited to the odd scooter so you get to really enjoy the ambiance.
I have to wait a bit for an outdoor table but it’s worth it. My waiter, Marco, clearly loves his job and has a huge smile on his face the entire time I’m here. There’s a party going on inside with live music and singing. All the staff is singing along and dancing as they serve food and drink. An elderly, portly waiter brings me mineral water and asks where I’m from. When I tell him I’m from Canada he says,
I love you, but later.
I guess he’s busy but will have time for me later?
Marco recommends the bruschetta to start and then a mix of carbonara and tomato pasta. It is absolutely divine. The group of ladies beside me are celebrating a birthday and the entire restaurant, inside and out, all sing Happy Birthday. The Italians know how to celebrate. They seem to take real joy in the everyday things which I feel I could learn from.
Tomorrow I take an early train to Florence so editing photos and packing are in store for me this evening.
