A Dome With A View

You can't go to Rome without going to St Peters Basilica. We got up early and made it our first stop as the other day the lines were long, very long. Today we timed it right and didn't have to line up. We headed straight to the Cupola(dome) and did the walk up the Dome. Well actually we cheated and took the elevator to the half way point and then walked the 300+ steps to the top.  It is a tough walk, but fun. There are step spiral staircases which go around and around and around. Other staircases you can't stand up straight and need to lean to the side as you are right beneath the dome roof. There are a lot of people who struggle with the steps. In the past I have seen people turn around and go back down because they didn't have the fitness to get up or didn't like the tight squeeze. I have also seen someone get stuck as they were a bit on the large size and then had to stop and go back down.

Of course there are fantastic views for the top. The kids loved it and took some pictures of Boris up there. I'm glad we got up there early as it wasn't too busy. It would be great to have it to yourself for an hour just to soak in the views over the Vatican City and Rome itself. On the way down we had a coffee on the roof of the Basilica.

The inside of the Basilica is breathtaking. Kylie was in photographers heaven moving around and taking pictures of the intricate details of the Basilica. There were a number of sermons going on inside. The interior of the dome is amazing with its mosaic features and colour. Outside the window to the Popes apartment was open, we watched for a while to see if we could catch a glimpse, no luck.

Later we caught the bus that mysteriously didn't appear yesterday and we headed to Piazza Navona. Kylie was underwhelmed by this area although the fountain of the four waters is pretty neat. 

We ducked across to the Pantheon. This is one building that amazes me. The fact it was built so long ago and the hole in the roof intrigues me. Sebastian stood there with his mouth open trying to catch the rain that was coming through the hole in his mouth. Twit, I wonder who he gets that from. 

We headed home and had a bit of a lazy afternoon, I think we were all exhausted.