\u201cSt. Peter’s Basilica\u201d is the largest Catholic Church in the world, covering an area of 23,000 square metres. It stands on the remains of another basilica dedicated to the same saint, commissioned by Constantine, the first Christian emperor, to be built on the site where the apostle Peter was crucified. Under the central nave of the building there are the \u201cVatican Grottoes\u201d, famous for housing the remains of 22 of the 91 popes buried under the basilica, as well as a few royals.<\/p>\n\n
The \u201cdome\u201d was designed by Michelangelo, who played with the perspective so that when viewed from behind the Vatican Obelisk, it appears to form a triangle with the two milestones of the arches; this shape remains the same, while the church seemingly moves between the statues. The square also boasts a few optical illusions relating to the 284 columns, created by Bernini: if you stand in the centre of the square they disappear; if you walk between them, they seem to get closer and farther apart; and if you face the fa\u00e7ade they even change colour.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cCastel Sant\u2019 Angelo\u201d is a monument located on the right bank of the Tiber and it is connected to the Vatican State via a passageway called the \u201cpassetto\u201d. Pope Gregory I changed its name after he saw a vision of the archangel Michael sheathing his sword, heralding the end of the plague that was afflicting the city. This is demonstrated by the footprints attributed to Him on the altar underneath the statue of the archangel. <\/p>\n\n
The present-day statue dates to 1573. The original statue was made of wood, which quickly disintegrated, while the second, in marble, was destroyed during the siege of 1379 as a result of the Western Schism. The third, also made of marble but with bronze wings, was struck by lightning in 1497 and, finally, a gilded bronze statue was made, which was cast 30 years later due to the need for cannons during the battle against the Landsknechts.<\/p>\n\n
The most evocative route to the “Castel Sant’ Angelo” is undoubtedly via Sant\u2019 Angelo bridge, also known as Elio bridge, which is adorned with majestic statues of angels by Bernini. However, up until 1668, when these masterpieces were placed there, the bridge was lined with severed heads as a warning to those who dared to stand against the Papal State. A curious fact: in the nineteenth century, an umbrella maker from Borgo, known as Mastro Titta, was often called by the church on the other side of the Tiber, not to mend umbrellas, but to cut off heads. Cagliostro the necromancer and Giordano Bruno were just two of the most illustrious condemned people (Victims).<\/p>\n\n
A must-see site for the history of pilgrims and tourists!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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