5. Saint Peter's Basilica, Rome - 20/6/12

When I first arrived in Rome I visited Saint Peter’s Basilica, located in Vatican City.  I remember sitting along the steps of the colonnade on the left hand side, facing the Basilica.  The obvious exterior monumentality of Saint Peters and the entire Piazza seen in the colonnade and the protruding dome was inspiring.  It was unfortunate that during my first visit I was not dressed appropriately to enter the Basilica, but I knew I’d be back!  This past week I have been fortunate enough to visit St. Peter’s twice.  The first was yesterday, 19/6/12, with our entire class after sketching exercises in the piazza.  We did not go into the Basilica as a group, but I entered with a few other classmates.  I was in awe of the interior the moment I walked in.  At this point I did not know much about what the interior of the basilica held in the forms of the relics it hosted, and the different artworks within.  I remember wishing I had done some research before entering.  I was pleased to read later that we would be meeting at St. Peters again the next day to enter the Vatican Museum.  This provided me with another opportunity to enter the Basilica.  Before going in Matt gave us a rundown of dates.  St. Peter’s Basilica is the burial site of Saint Peter, who was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.  St. Peters is the location where many popes have been interred, since he is considered to have be the first Bishop of Rome.  There has always been a church on the site remembering St. Peter since the 4^th century.  The current basilica was completed in 1626.  Several architects and artists, such as: Carlo Mederno, Bernini, and Michaelangelo worked on the Basilica over the years of construction.  When Michealangelo first worked on St. Peter’s he was 25yrs old sculpting the first chapel on the right as one enters the Basilica and when he was working on the main dome he was 72.  I have learned a lot more about the Basilica but was still unable to see all that I wanted to.  One thing on my list is to go back and climb to the top of the dome.  I understand there is an amazing view of the entire city from there.  I am also trying to get better at recognizing the different domes and bell towers around the city from as many vantage points as possible.