Part 2. Because this place is so.darn.big.
looking up into the dome.
In the image below … if you look carefully, in the middle of the circular part there is a bird with wings outstretched.
From Rick Steves:
Bernini’s dove window shines above the smaller front altar, used for everyday services. The Holy Spirit, in the form of a six-foot high dove, pours sunlight onto the faithful through the alabaster window, turning into artificial rays of gold and reflecting off swirling gold clouds, angels, and winged babies. During a service, real sunlight passes through real clouds of incense, mingling with Bernini’s sculpture. This is the epitome of Baroque – an ornate, mixed-media work designed to overwhelm the viewer.
Beneath the dove is the centerpiece of this structure, the so-called “Throne of Peter,” an oak chair built in medieval times for a king. Subsequently, it was encrusted with tradition and encased in bronze by Bernini as a symbol of papal authority. Statues of four early Church Fathers support the chair, a symbol of how bishops should support the pope in troubled times.
Below is the statue of St. Peter, the ‘first pope’ and of course the man this church is named after:
From Rick Steves:
Back in the nave sits a bronze statue of Peter under a canopy. This is one of a handful of pieces of art that was in the earlier church. In one hand he holds the keys, the symbol of authority given him by Christ, while with the other hand he blesses us. He’s wearing the toga of a Roman senator. It may be that the original statue was of a senator and that the bushy bead and keys were added later to make it Peter. His big right toe has been worn smooth by the lips of pilgrims.
There was a big crowd and line of people waiting to touch Peter’s toe.
A sweet tiny nun changing the flowers at an altar ….
St. Sebastian. Kinda cool. Kinda gross. Check out his red Pope slippers …
in the photo below, look at the people in the very bottom of the image and just *imagine* the size of this place …
A final look at the Pieta as we head out ….
The floor had all these markers like this, showing where various other international churches would come to if that church was placed INSIDE St. Peter’s …. below is the marker for St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
And finally, a look at St. Peter’s square …. just before sunset …
Lovely, yes?
Just one more evening left in the eternal city ….
let’s go back. I kinda wished I had gotten my picture taken with St. Peter.