St. Peter's Square

Trip Start Jul 17, 2007

Trip End Aug 15, 2007

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Flag of Italy Vatican City, Italy
Sunday, August 5, 2007

Wow! I love Vatican City! It is the smallest country in the world (300 people and about a mile large). The Pope is the absolute monarch there. If he is in town on Sundays, he comes out to the square and gives a blessing at noon. He was at the summer house in Tuscany. The Swiss Guard guards the Vatican. It's rumored that their uniforms were designed by Michelangelo. You have to be between 18-24 years old, from Switzerland, and Catholic to serve in the guard. Did you know the Italian police uniforms were designed by Armani? And let me tell you, some of those guys are HOT.

You have to go through security to get into St. Peter's. Also, be sure to cover your shoulders and knees or you are not permitted inside. Then you get to go to a vendor, buy a scarf, and come back. This is for guys too. No shorts and muscle shirts. I cracked up watching guys check things out with a scarf tied around their shoulders

Dome of St. Peter's

. This is probably the only time man-pri's come in handy!

Michelangelo created the cupola of St. Peter's Basilica and painted the inside (based on The Duomo in Florence, where he was from). He also did the statue of Mary holding Jesus after he was crucified. It's now behind bullet proof glass because someone came in and started trying to hack off pieces of it. When he was about 24 years old. What an overachiever!! They've made new rules for The Sistine Chapel. You book your tour group (about 3-4 months in advance for August) or you wait in line for a minimum of 2 hours. Since most tour groups can't book an exact number (b/c if there aren't enough people, there is no tour), they don't make a reservation. So, I saw pictures, but didn't make it inside (too much other stuff to see!). We did go down to the grotto of the church and see where the pope's are buried. Pope John Paul II has two guards and a red velvet rope so people won't stand in the little alcove. The remains of Peter are there too.

Off to see the sights in Rome....