the Vatican . There is an impressive and sprawling forecourt - the ‘ circular ’ St . Peter ’ s Square ( the pun intended ) - surrounded by tall , imposing colonnades on either side ( see the picture above ).
Clockwise from top left : St Peter ' s Square with Basilica in the rear ( Credit- Elissa Jenkins , Pinterest ); The balcony from where the Pope addresses the gathering below ( credit- Wikipedia ); Michelangelo ' s Pieta ( Credit- Wikipedia )
St Peter ’ s Basilica in Vatican is one of the largest churches in the world and the holiest of Catholic shrines . Some have called it the ‘ greatest of all churches of Christendom .’ The present basilica was redesigned and built after demolishing the old basilica that stood there , constructed in the 4th century by Emperor Constantine . Started in 1506 , the new basilica took 120 years to be fully completed to its present form . Several architects contributed to the design and construction of the basilica , including Michelangelo who revamped the works of architects before him and is credited with the design of the striking dome of the basilica , which is the tallest in the world and dominates the skyline of Vatican .
The basilica is at the burial site of Saint Peter , one of the 12 apostles of Jesus and traditionally believed to be first Pope and Bishop of Rome .
The interior of the basilica is breath-taking in its grandeur . Richness and variety have been added over the centuries by many outstanding sculptors and artists , and when you go around you are essentially walking down history . Four huge columns support the enormous dome , and in each there is a niche with giant statues by the greatest of Roman sculptors . I had to crane my neck to view these statues towering over me . The altar is right under the dome . One could go up to the top of the dome using stairs . There is a narrow viewing gallery with railing , on the exterior , near the top of the dome . I could command a beautiful view of entire Rome from that height . I walked on the terrace of the Basilica , stood overlooking the sprawling St Peter ' s Square and took snaps .
Inside , near the entrance of the basilica , in the north side , is Michelangelo ’ s masterpiece , ‘ Pieta .’ I consider it as one of the greatest sculptures ever chiselled out of marble . See the image above . It shows Jesus , sprawled almost lifeless , on the lap of his mother Mary after his crucifixion . The workmanship on the listless limbs of Jesus and the robes of Mary is marvellous and sublimely natural . Marble , in the hands of the great sculptor , appears to be so supple and ductile . Vatican has a strong stamp of Michelangelo - the painter of Sistine Chapel , the architect of the dome of the basilica and the sculptor of Pieta , all unparalleled in their beauty and classicism . Without doubt he was the city ’ s greatest citizen of all time . He is one of my two heroes - multifaceted geniuses - the other being Leonardo Da Vinci .
Christmas 1983
On Christmas Day 1983 , I set out from my hotel in the morning to feel the atmosphere in the city . Back home in India I was used to a lot of music , noise and activity right from the morning on any festival day . Here in Rome , I was walking down and there was not a single soul on the streets . No activity ;
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