From Isola Tiberina, we run for several more miles before we reach San Pietro. Saint Peter’s Basilica, inside the Vatican, is said to be built on the burial site of Saint Peter, the first pope. Built over the course of 120 years and finished in 1626, it replaced the previous basilica that was built by Emperor Constantine the Great over 1,000 years earlier. The interior is said to be the largest church in the world, able to accommodate 20,000 people seated or 60,000 standing. (Wow!) I’ll need to circle back later in the week to view all of the detail, both external and internal, to include the four colossal statues inside: St. Loginus and his spear, St. Helena with the True Cross, St. Veronica and her veil, and St. Andrew. While the close-up is impressive enough, this full panoramic photo by Andrew Magill from Boulder, Colorado demonstrates the absolute grandiosity of the location.
After we exit from Saint Peter’s Square, it’s a short jaunt to Castel Sant’Angelo. A huge fortress, also known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, it is approaching 1,900 years in age. Lining the bridge to enter the castle are Bernini’s Statues of Angels. Within its walls are not only ancient rooms and frescoes, but the Papal dungeon. The castle was dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel.
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