Italy - Day 2 (Roma)

To start Day 2 off, we began at St. Peter’s Square inside the Vatican, home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, the apartment where the Pope lives, and a measely looking Christmas tree. The square is made up of a semi-circle of columns around the basilica to represent “welcome arms” to the Catholic Church. On top of all the columns are statues of former Popes and Saints.

After walking around the square we went inside the Vatican Museums. Some things I saw:
Roman Statues.
Examples of the first form of writing - cuneiform.


Other miscellaneous sculptures. For the life of me I can't remember the names of them or who they are by, but I do know they are important. Haha.


This one has eyes!!!! Freaky.
A hallway of old maps of Italy.
Inside the Papal Apartments - where the Popes used to live.

Inside the Sistine Chapel (Capella Sistina). We weren’t allowed to take pictures, but I took one anyways, so that’s why it’s not a very good picture. But you can still see how amazing Michelangelo’s paintings are.

Next up we went inside St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest cathedral in terms of floor space. I don’t really remember the Bible story behind St. Peter’s but it goes something like this: Jesus and three people were on a mountain when Jesus asked them who he was. Peter got it right when he said Messiah, and so Jesus said “Peter you are the rock on which I build my church” – hence, St. Peter’s Basilica. St. Peter is now buried beneath the high alter on which only the Pope can preach.

The dome was built was Michelangelo – 448 ft high.

Pieta by Michelangelo – Sculpture of Mary holding Jesus in her lap.

Mosaic painting inside the cathedral.

After we finished up exploring St. Peter’s Square we went to the Spanish Steps.

Me, Emmalee, Liz, Sami, and Allison.

The Spanish Steps were built in 1726 and are known for their combination of straight sections, curves, and terraces. At the top of the steps we saw a beautiful view of the city.

The rest of the afternoon we had free time for shopping along the Via Del Corso, Rome’s main shopping area. Filled with Louis Vitton, Dior, and Gucci, it was slightly out of my price range J

For the evening Tony took us to Trastavere, Rome’s main nightlife and restaurant area. We had supper at a pizzeria and I had a scrumptious eggplant and cheese pizza.

And then gelato for dessert of course! Haha. A few of us stayed in the area to grab a few drinks. Fortunately the bartender spoke English.