Friday, April 29, 2016

I’m really glad we saved St. Peter’s Basilica for a day of its own. It is too beautiful and grand to share a day with any other sights. Granted we had some shopping left to do and the area around Vatican City has some great little shops and not too pricey.

I believe I mentioned previously that St. Peter’s Basilica is a Renaissance church, designed and created by Michelangelo, Maderno, Bramante and Bernini. It is one of the largest churches in the world. Construction started on April 18, 1506 and it opened on November 18, 1626. Wow, one-hundred and twenty years. It amazes me how in that time period, the people that design and oversee the initial project will never live to see its completion.

I think I already used this photo, but I wanted to start at the entrance to the Basilica. The inside is so remarkable; it will be hard to pick out which photos to share with you. (Well obviously ones we all look good in.)

Every room, every corner, every ceiling, every statue, every portrait; all more beautiful and breathtaking than the one before. It was difficult to take it all in. The Catholics definitely did not spare any expense when it came to this chapel or shrine.

Looking at some of these photos makes it hard to believe we were even there, but, can you understand why it is so hard to even pick out which photos to share?

I didn’t get any photos of the shops, but the Vatican City Museum hallways that were not part of a museum display were filled with little shops. Here are a few of my purchases. Puzzle postcards and books. I also have a book of the Vatican Museums, it’s in Florida. The girls purchased rosaries, postcards, and I am not sure what else.

Mom getting Holy water. At first she was shy to do it, maybe because of the rope, but of course I encouraged her.

Everywhere you look, more beauty to behold.

Just more magnificence! (Yes I was talking about Kathy, Mom and I! The only thing that would make it better is if sister Linda was in the photo too instead of taking it.)

 

There are also several tombs or crypt rooms under the main level. We toured as many as they allowed. It was very interesting and I was actually surprised at the number of women who also were laid to rest in the Basilica. I do not think you were allowed to take photos, I guess that would have been sort of weird, but it was really interesting to read about each person and to see the intricacies of the tombs. The photos are complements of the internet and I have no idea who to give credit to or I most certainly would.

After the Basilica we had lunch at a little sidewalk café. We thought it was just an outside café, but, the inside was really a very nice restaurant. (Italian cuisine – of course and the food as in all of Italy was wonderful. Or maybe it was the beer that was wonderful?) Our waiter was named Leon and why on earth I remember that who knows. He was very charming, a good quality in a waiter wouldn’t you agree? Below is a shot of Leon with Mom and Kathy that I took and one that Kathy took of Linda and I.

We were all proud of ourselves for having an actual lunch instead of just Gelatos! I cannot remember ever eating so much ice cream on a vacation, but that’s what happens when you put 4-Jarvey girls together with no child supervision!

We all had last minute gifts to buy. I needed something for Jeremie and Sophy and it was going to be a pain because I had something in mind (which ALWAYS makes it harder). I didn’t get photos of them with their gifts, but, for Jeremie I found a gladiator knife and small helmet on a stand and for Sophy I found a mask. I love those masks and ended up getting a Pinocchio mask for myself. I didn’t need it nor have a place to hang it and it certainly does not match anything in my house, but, I bought it anyway. It just seemed appropriate, the story, written by an Italian writer Carlo Collodi set the stage for Pinocchio and Geppetto in a village near Florence, Italy. Original Venetian masks bought in Italy? It was a no brainer, I had to have it.

A little scary looking wouldn’t you agree? Sophy’s mask was much more beautiful and not scary looking at all.

I can’t believe it, tomorrow we travel home. This week has been an amazing experience and it really flew by. My next post will be of the journey home or Wine and Cigars. Thanks for reading and until the next post, Enjoy Every Moment You Have with Your Friends and Family!