Category Archives: Scavi Tour of Saint Peter’s Basilica

April 18, 2013 · 10:41 am

Top Treasures of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel in Italy

Image via Wikipedia

Carlo Brogi (1850-1925) – “Rome – Vatican – Museo Pio-Clementino – Augustus in his older age”. Catalogue # 8262. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

English: Fresco of Mercury – Vatican Museum – Rome, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Vatican Museums (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A spiral staircase inside one of the Vatican Museums (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Augustus of Prima Porta, statue of the emperor Augustus in Museo Chiaramonti, Vatican, Rome (with white background). (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Bust of Augustus of the Prima Porta type. Roman artwork, most of the bust is a modern restoration. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Vatican Museums ( Musei Vaticani) are located inside the Vatican City. They display works from the immense collection acquired by the Roman Catholic Church throughout the centuries. The collection includes some of the most renowned classical sculptures like the Apoxyomenos (Athlete Washing) in the Museo Pio Clementino that houses works of Greek and Roman sculpture. This statue was discovered in 1849 when it was excavated in Trastevere. This statue is a 1^st century Roman copy of an original Greek bronze by Lysippus.

Athlete Washing at the Vatican Musuem

I can’t resist the ancient “giant head ” sculptures in Rome! They truly relflect the egos that have dominated this town for centuries.

Classic vatican giant head

The museums contain some of the most important masterpieces of sacred Renaissance art. The intricate and elaborate Roman mosaic floors were made from tesserae colored marble.

Roman Mosaic floor of Neptune at the Vatican Museums

Many Roman military leaders were commemorated with statues throughout Rome. The statues were originally painted with vibrant colors like this replica of the Prima Porta Augustus shown below. The original marble Augustus of Prima Porta is also in the museum.

The statue of Augustus Caesar was discovered in 1863, in the Villa of Livia at Prima Porta, near Rome. Augustus Caesar’s wife, Livia Drusilla, retired to the villa after his death. The sculpture is now displayed in the Braccio Nuovo of the Vatican Museums.

There are 54 galleries (salas) in the museums. The last one is the Sistine Chapel. You will witness one of the oldest and most comprehensive art collections in the world! Let’s take a look at some of Vatican Museum’s treasures and masterpieces.

Vatican Museum Treasures

The Goddess of Fertility

1.Pope Julius II founded the museums in the early 16th century. They were visited by 4,310,083 people in the year 2007.

The Vatican Museums trace their origin to one marble sculpture, purchased 500 years ago; the sculpture of Laocoon.

The story of Laocoön was the subject of a play by the Greek writer Sophocles. According to Greek mythology, Laocoön was killed after attempting to expose the ruse of the Trojan Horse by striking it with a spear. The snakes were sent by Athena, and were interpreted by the Trojans as proof that the horse was a sacred object. The most famous account of these events is in Virgil‘s Aeneid. Laocoön warned his fellow Trojans against the wooden horse presented to the city by the Greeks. In the Aeneid, Virgil gives Laocoön the famous line Equo ne credite, Teucri / Quidquid id est, timeo Danaos et dona ferentes, or “Do not trust the Horse, Trojans: Whatever it is, I fear the Greeks even bearing gifts.” This line is the source of the saying: “Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.”

The statue was unearthed in 1506 near the site of the Domus Aurea of the Emperor Nero in Rome, in the vineyard of Felice De Fredis near the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore.

Laocoon in Vatican Museums

Pope Julius II, an enthusiastic classicist, sent Giuliano da Sangallo and Michelangelo Buonarroti to examine the discovery. On their recommendation, the pope immediately purchased the sculpture from the vineyard owner. The pope put the sculpture of the Trojan “Laocoön and His Sons” who were named Antiphantes and Thymbraeus in the grips of a sea serpent on public display at the Vatican exactly one month after its discovery. It is believed that the scultures wre from the island of Rhodes and there names were Agesander, Athenodros and Polydorus.

2. The Stanze della Segnatura are four rooms decorated by Raphael. They formed part of the apartment situated on the second floor of the Pontifical Palace that was chosen by Julius II della Rovere (pontiff from 1503 to 1513) as his own residence and used also by his successors. The pictorial decoration was executed by Raphael and his school between 1508 and 1524. I love Raphael’s “Baptism of Constantine” and the “Deliverance of Saint Peter.”

Raphael’s Baptism of Constantine

Raphael’s ceiling

Raphael’s Deliverance of St. Peter

3. The Sistine Chapel houses Michelangelo’s brilliant frescoes on the ceiling and lunettes above the windows. Here’s a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

In 1473, Pope Sixtus IV commissioned Giovannni De Dolci to build a chapel for Papal ceremonies. This Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican Museum a few blocks away from St. Peter’s. It is famous for its architecture and its elaborate decorative frescoed interior. Many Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio and others contributed to the magnificent art display in the Chapel.

Commissioned by Pope Julius II, Michelangelo painted the chapel ceiling between 1508 and 1512.

Sistine Chapel Ceiling by Michelangelo

He resented the commission but the ceiling and The Last Judgement (1535–1541) is Michelangelo’s crowning achievement in painting. The “Last Judgment” is located on the wall behind the main altar and was completed in 1541.

Saint Jerome holding his flayed skin with Michelangelo’s self-portrait

Pope Paul III commissioned Michelangelo’s “Last Judgment” (1536-1541). It represents a vortex of divine, human and diabolical bodies. Some souls are blessed and reach paradise and others are damned and cast down into an inferno.

Vatican Last Judgement Information Board

There are information boards in the Cortile della Pigna that will help you navigate the art in the Chapel.

Check out the large Roman bronze pinecone that was once a fountain. It is positioned in front of the niche in the courtyard.

Michelangelo’s Ceiling in the Sistine Chapel

One of the primary functions of the Sistine Chapel is that it is a venue for the election of each successive pope in a conclave of the College of Cardinals. During a conclave, a chimney is installed in the roof of the chapel. The smoke from the chimney serves as a signal. If white smoke appears, it is generated by burning the ballots of the election. The white smoke signifies the election of a new pope. If a candidate receives less than a two-thirds majority, the cardinals send black smoke up the chimney. This is created by burning the ballots along with wet straw and chemical additives, therefore it signals that the election has not been successful.

4. The Gallery of the Busts (Galleria dei Busti) is where many ancient busts are displayed in the Museum of Antiquities.

Ancient busts at the Vatican Museum

The Bust Room in the Vatican Museum

5. The Map Room at the Vatican Musuems is incredible. The barrel vaulted ceiling of the “Gallery of Maps” is the hallway that leads to the former residences of the popes. The map room illustrates stories of the saints and events charted on the wall maps. It is located on the west side of the Belvedere Courtyard in the Vatican. This magnificent hallway contains a series of painted topographical maps of Italy. The maps are based on drawings by friar and geographer Ignazio Danti. The gallery was commissioned in 1580 by Pope Gregory XIII.It took Danti three years (1580–1583) to complete the 40 panels.

A Map of Sardinia at the Vatican Museums

6. The Sarcophagus of Saint Helen, the mother of Constantine is located in Sala a Croce Greca. The ornate object is carved from red porphyry stone with Roman horsemen and barbarian prisoners from the 4^th century.

St. Helen’s Sarcophagus

7. The Pinacoteca Vaticana was commissioned by Pope Pius IV in 1790. The collection was first housed in the Borgia Apartment, until Pope Pius XI ordered construction of a proper building. The designer was Luca Beltrami. The art gallery contains paintings by Giotto, Lippi, Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio including:

Leonardo da Vinci’s Saint Jerome

Fra Filippo Lippi’s Coronation of the Virgin

1. Giotto, “The Stefaneschi Altarpiece”

2. Fra Angelico, “Madonna and Child with St. Dominic, St. Catherine and the Angels

3. ”Filippo Lippi, “Coronation of the Virgin”

4. Bellini, “Pieta” (1471)

5. Pinturicchio, “Adoration of the Magi” (in the Borgia Apartment)

6. Leonardo da Vinci, “St. Jerome” (1480) Raphael’s Oddi Altarpiece, “Crowning of the Virgin” (1503) and “The Foligno Madonna”

Caravaggio’s Entombment

7. Caravaggio’s, “The Deposition” shows Christ’s hand brushing againstthe tombstone.Saint John the Evangelist and Nicodemus, the Pharisee and doctor of law, struggle to support his body.The Virgin Mary and Mary Magdalene are bent toward Jesus.This painting was originally commissioned for a church in Rome but it was moved here when itwas returned from France.

“The Vatican Museums Under the Stars” Exhibit is open from May 6-July 15 every Friday. Get your tickets on-line, get there early and proceed to the Sistine Chapel immediately. I was fortunate enough to almost have the entire Chapel to myself!!

After admiring the amazing art, helix staircase and sculptures collected by the papacy since the 15^th century in the Vatican Museum, have a Vino con Vista by enjoying a glass of Cesanese or Montepulciano di Abruzzo wine in one of the charming neighborhood cafes like Bar Santa Anna or Pizzeria il Migliore on via Santa Anna.

Vatican Museums Helix Staircase by Giuseppe Momo in 1932

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides. To learn more about Rome visit www.vino-con-vista.com

About these ads

2 Comments

Filed under Ancient Rome, Attractions in Rome near the Capitoline Museums, Beatification of Pope John Paul II, Caravaggio, ebooks, Emperor Constantine, Greek Mythology, Holy Week in Rome, IPad, Italian Architecture, Italian art, Italian Wine, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Lacoon at the Vatican Museums, Last Judgment, Leonardo da VInci, Michelangelo and the Capitoline in Rome Italy, Michelangelo's self-potrait is held by St. Jerome, Peter the Apostle, Pope Alexander VII, Pope Julius II, Raphael Rooms at the Vatican in Rome, Renaissance Art, Roman Architecture, Roman Emperors, Rome, Rome History, Rome Italy, Sacred Art in Rome, Saint Jerome and the Lion, Scavi Tour of Saint Peter's Basilica, St. Peter in Glory, The Sistine Chapel, The Vatican Museums in Italy, Travel and Tourism, UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in SPain, vino con vista, World Heritage Sites

Tagged as Apoxyomenos, Arts and Entertainment, Attractions at the Vatican Museums in Italy, Augustus of Prima Porta, Catholic Church, Domus Aurea, Michelangelo, Neptune, Pope, Pope Julius II, Prima Porta, Prima Porta Augustus, Renaissance art, Rome, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, Trojan Horse, Vatican CIty, Vatican Museum, Villa of Livia

March 24, 2013 · 11:26 am

Witness the Story of Easter in Rome: Buona Pasqua

The 12th Station of the Cross - Jesus dies on ...

Image via Wikipedia

A 14th-century of Jesus Christ bearing the cross, from the monastery in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The new Pope Francis and the Vatican gear up for Holy Week Celebrations and ancient traditions in and around Rome. These events commemorate the last week of the life of Jesus Christ before his painful death on the cross and ultimate Resurrection.

The Tiburtine Sybil named Albunea, told Emperor Augustus (27 BC-AD 14) in a mystic meeting, that the first-born of God would one day rule his empire: “Haec est ara primogeniti Dei”-This is the altar of the first-born of God.

Augustus commemorated the spot by erecting an altar. The church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli (altar of Heaven) now crowns the highest point of the Campidoglio in Rome with 124 steps that lead to the entrance of the church. In the church, the figures of Augustus and the Tiburtine Sibyl are painted on either side of the arch above the high altar.

Antonio da Trento, Tiburtine Sibyl and the Emperor Augustus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Inside this church are the relics of St. Helen in a porphyry urn. Saint Helena was the mother of Emperor Constantine who ultimately decreed the Christianization of pagan Rome. Inside the church, there is a chapel of the Santo Bambino. The Bambino is carved from olive wood from Jerusalem using wood from the Garden of Gethsemane. It was created by a Franciscan monk in the 15th century.

Furthermore, the Tiburtine Sibyl prophesied a final Emperor named Constan who would “vanquish the foes of Christianity and end paganism.” Michelangelo portrayed the Sibyls in the frescos of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

The Tiburtine Sybil’s prophecy to the Emperor Augustus (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Easter story of the “Passion of Christ” is depicted in the 14 “Stations of the Cross.” The “INRI” on the cross is the abbreviation of “King of the Jews” in Hebrew. During his lifetime, Jesus encountered the same type of pain that normal people excounter. He endured physical pain, mental anguish, rejection, abandonment and betrayal. Holy Week allows us to recall the great sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us and signifies new beginnings.

Holy Week is one of the most religious and exciting times of the year to visit Rome and many other towns in Italy and Spain http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZl_Ab29id4&NR=1. Holy Week events begin on Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday. On this day, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey and was welcomed as royalty with the path paved with branches and palms. The ceremonies during the week revolve around the story of the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. On Palm Sunday, Holy Week begins with the Pope‘s blessing of the palms in St. Peter’s Square.

The three days before Easter are called the Paschal Triduum of Death, Burial and Resurrection of the Lord http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcNFTNu1I4M. The Easter Vigil is the high point of the Triduum: “The night Jesus Christ broke the chains of death and rose triumphant from the grave.” The church empties the Holy Water from the fonts on the days of the Sacred Paschal Triduum in preparation of the blessing of the water at the Easter Vigil. The Passion is read three times during Holy Week: Passion Sunday, Holy Thursday and Good Friday. The words of Jesus are always read by a priest.

On Holy Thursday (Maundy Thursday), the Pope performs a rare morning mass. “The Mass of the Chrism” is held in St. Peter’s Square when the oils are blessed and the Chrism is consecrated. Chrism is a combination of balsam and oil and is used for annointing for occasions like confirmation and ordinations.

In the evening after sun-down, the Mass of the Lord’s Supper commemorates the institution of the Eucharist and the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles. This event includes a reading of Matthew’s account of the “Passion of Christ”; the narration of Jesus’ capture, suffering and death. It includes the representation of Jesus Christ washing the feet of his Disciples which was carried out by Pope Benedict at the Cathedral of St. John Lateran where he washed the feet of 12 priests http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngIUmGhwwqs.

On Good Friday, the day of Christ’s brutal crucufixion in AD33, choirs sing St. John’s version of Christ’s crucifixion. Peter Paul Rubens’ “Ecce Homo” (Behold the Man) portrays Christ with his “Crown of Thorns” before his Crucifixion. After his crucifixion, he was covered with a shroud http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dVQnkKlphY&feature=relmfu.

On this day in Catholic churches around the world, Christians glorify the cross in their individual parishes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubkiKyjo9WU. The cross is venerated as a symbol of our faith by kneeling in front of the cross and kissing it. In this way, we honor the Lord’s Cross as an instrument of our salvation. The cross was the means of Jesus Christ’s execution and as a sign of victory over sin and death. The church does not celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist on Good Friday, rather the Church commemorates the Lord’s Passion.

In Rome on Good Friday, a solemn “Via Crucis Procession” (The Way of the Cross) involves an evening torch-lit procession that follows the Pope as he traces the Stations of the Cross from the Colosseum to Palatine Hill http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2qwjLTFcwQ. The church in Rome adopted the practice of “Adoration of the Cross” from the Church in Jerusalem where a fragment of wood believed to be the Lord’s cross has been venerated every year on Good Friday since the fouth century http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8eDPyXYv50.

St. Helen, the mother of emperor Constantine, discovered this fragment of wood on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem in 326. Pope Alexander VII had the top of the obelisk in St. Peter’s Square adorned with his insignia. There is a relic of Christ’s “True Cross” encased in this emblem of Pope Alexander that crowns the Obelisk.

Jesus had 12 disciples. They were pupils or followers of Christ. The Passion of Christ was initiated when the Temple Guards, guided by Judas Iscario, captured Jesus. Judas was a Disciple of Jesus who betrayed him by telling the guards that whomever he kisses, they should arrest. Judas was paid in silver for his betrayal which is portrayed in “The Kiss of Judas.” The trial and painful crucifixion of Jesus ensued. Judas ended up returning the silver and committing suicide.

On the Joseph Maria Subirachs “Magic Square” on the facade of Gaudi’s Sagada Familia in Barcelona (Quadrato magico di Sagrada Familia) next to “The Kiss of Judas” in the picture below, notice that all colums, diagonals and rows add up to 33, the year of the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Judas Betrayed Jesus Christ before his Crucifixion

Judas Kiss and the Magic Square of 33

Pictured above is Caravaggio’s famous portrayal of “The Kiss of Judas.”

On Holy Saturday, Jesus’ lifeless body was cradled in the arms of Mary, as portrayed in Michelangelo’s “Pieta.” He was then laid to rest in the borrowed grave of a friend. Churches around the world conduct an Easter Vigil where we celebrate Jesus Christ; our light who drives away the darkness of our lives http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3d9LTi_U2w&feature=relmfu. At the beginning of the Easter Vigil, the church is darkened and gradually springs to life with the Ressurection of the Lord as faithful parishoners light candles inside the church. The Easter Vigil service includes the Service of Light, the Blessing of the Fire and the Preparation of the Paschal Candle and Procession.

The gloomy darkness of Good Friday is followed by the joyful celebration of trumpets at Easter which “dispels all evil, washes guilt away, restores lost innocence, brings mourners joy, casts out hatred, brings us peace and humbles earthly pride” (Paschal Praeconium, the Exsultet). Easter Sunday celebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. His Ascension into Heaven is the 40th day after Easter. On Easter Sunday, Pope Benedict delivers his blessing “Urbi et Orbi” (to the city and to the world) in St. Peter’s Square http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5axrSsEU_U0&feature=related.

In the picture below, Jesus Christ is ascending into Heaven above the altar of Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain. The term apostle came into use after the Ascension of Jesus Christ when the disciples (followers) who had witnessed his resurrection, became apostles (ambassadors of the Gospel: evangelists and teachers). The true apostolic age ended when the last apostle died in about 100AD.

Gaudi's Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain

The Pope delivers several messages to faithful pilgrims between Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBwIefKXY0s.

Here was the 2011 Easter Message in Italian http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r0mEEVTPU2I

Happy Easter and have a wonderful Vino con Vista celebration with your family and friends!

Dr. Eveann Lovero writes Travel Guide Books to Italy and Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites

Learn more about Rome @ www.vino-con-vista.com.

Easter and Holy Week Rituals in Enna Sicily: Buona Pasqua (vinoconvistablog.me)
Holy Week in Majestic Madrid: Semana Santa (vinoconvistablog.me)

9 Comments

Filed under Ancient Rome, Buona Pasqua, Colonna dell'Immacolata in Rome, Colosseum, Easter in Rome, Holy Week in Rome, Hotels in Rome, Italian Architecture, Italian art, Italy Travel Guides, Last Judgment, Papal ceremony in Rome for the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception, Peter the Apostle, Rome, Rome History, Rome Italy, Saint Peter, Scavi Tour of Saint Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Basilica, Travel and Tourism, UNESCO, vino con vista, World Heritage Sites

Tagged as Ascension of Jesus Christ, Buona Pasqua, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Caravaggio's The Kiss of Judas, Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli, Easter, Easter at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Easter at the Colosseum, Easter at the Vatican, Easter in Rome, Easter Sunday, Easter Triduum, Easter Vigil, Emperor Augustus, Emperor Constantine, Events in Rome, Gaudi's Famous Church in Barcelona Spain, God, Happy Easter, Holy Week, Holy week in Italy, Holy Week in Rome, How does the Pope celebrate Easter at St. Peter's Basilica, Jesus, Jesus acsending into Heaven at Sagrada Familia in Barcelona, Jesus Christ, Jesus Christ our Savior, Joseph Maria Subirachs architect in Barcelona, Judas Kiss, Lighting the Paschal candle at the Easter Vigil, Magic Square of 33 in Barcelona on the facade of Sagrada Familia, Maundy Thursday, Michelangelo painted sibyls on the frescos in the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Pieta, Palatine Hill, Palatine Hill at Easter, Palm Sunday, Palm Sunday in Rome, Paschal Triduum of Death, Peter Paul Rubens Ecce Homo, Pope, Pope Benedict's Urbi et Orbi at the Vatican, Ressurection of Jesus Christ, Sagrada Familia in Barcelona Spain, Saint Helena was the mother of Constantine, Saint Peter's Square, Santa Maria Aracoeli, Stations of the Cross, Stations of the Cross in Rome, The Colosseum at Easter, The Cross of Jesus Christ, The Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, The Kiss of Judas, THe Last Supper with the Apostles, The Passion Facade of Sagrada Familia, The Passion of Jesus Christ, The Pieta, The Resurrection of Jesus Christ, The Shroud of Turin, The Stations of the Cross, Tiburtine Sibyl, Tiburtine Sybil, Veneration of the Cross on Good Friday, Venertion of the Cross of Jesus Christ, What are the stations of the cross, What does INRI mean above the Cross of Jesus, What is Chrism, What is Good Friday and why is it important, What is Maudy Thursday, What is Palm Sunday, What is the difference between an apostle and a disciple of Jesus Christ, What is the Passion of Christ, What is the Via Crucis Procession, What is Triduum, What night did Jesus rise from the grave, When was Jesus Christ crucified, Which disciple betrayed Jesus, Who betrayed Jesus Christ, Who denied Jesus three times, Why did Jesus wash the Apostles Feet, Why do Christians celebrate Easter, Why does the church empty Holy Water from the fonts, Why does the Pope was the feet of priests on Holy Thursday

November 28, 2012 · 11:09 am

Silent Night Holy Night: A Vatican Christmas

: Image via Wikipedia

Rome became the fulcrum of Western spiritual life in the 4th century. The grandeur of church rituals is reminiscent of the glory days of Julius Caesar. Roman senators became bishops, scholars became monks and philosophers became theologians. The pope or high priest adopted the title held by the emperor, “Pontifex Maximus”. Look for this word in the Latin inscriptions throughout Rome.

An image from the necropolis under the Vatican in which Jesus = Mithras (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The re-birth of Rome can be traced to April 18, 1506 when Pope Julius II (Giuliano Della Rovere) laid the cornerstone for the new Basilica of Saint Peter to be built over the old Basilica of St. Peter. Bramante was commissioned by Pope Julius II to renovate St. Peter’s Basilica, originally built by Constantine between 324-329.

In the Clementine Chapel in the Vatican Grottos under the Basilica, you can see the precious chest protecting the sepulcher of St. Peter. Behind the altar, protected by a gilded bronze grid, lie the remains of the “Memoria Petri”. This monument was built by C0nstantine to protect the mortal remains of Peter. This is the epi-center of the Apostolic Roots of the Catholic Church. The grottos contain the tombs of many popes.

St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy – Saint Peter statue (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is the holy site where the Apostle Peter, the “Prince of the Apostles” was crucified upside down, martyred and buried. A “Scavi Tour” of the Vatican Necropolis is available with advanced reservations (at least 90 days before your departure). All requests must be made in writing to the excavations office: scavi@fsp.va. The crypt is located under the Papal Altar. For over 1900 years, pilgrims from all over the world have come to this location to venerate the remains of Saint Peter. The Scavi Tour ends at the Clementine Chapel in the grottos near the tomb of Pope John Paul II.

English: Christ Handing the Keys to St. Peter by Pietro Perugino (1481-82) Fresco, 335 x 550 cm Cappella Sistina, Vatican. Ελληνικά: Λεπτομέρεια από την νωπογραφία του Πιέτρο Περουτζίνο, Ο Χριστός Παραδίδει τα Κλειδιά στον Πέτρο, 335 x 600 cm, Καπέλα Σιξτίνα, Πόλη του Βατικανού. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums are located a short distance from the Basilica. Magnificent works of art are housed in the Vatican City that became sovereign in 1929. It is the world’s smallest country. It occupies 109 acres and it is ruled by the pope.

My favorite time to visit the Vatican is during Christmas. The square in front of the Basilica is lavishly decorated for Christmas with a giant tree and a presepe. The square is equpped with large video screens so that during the holiday festivities, everyone gets a bird’s eye view of the holy events. Every year a different part of Italy or a different European country donates a spuce tree to the Vatican. The tree is decorated with 3000 ornaments and 1500 lights. Watch the tree lighting: http://www.romereports.com/palio/Vatican-lights-up-Christmas-tree-english-3257.html

ROME - DECEMBER 23: A Christmas tree stands i...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

The glorious tree is a symbol of life and hope. It signifies the birth of Christ. Listen to Mahalia Jackson sing “Silent Night” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dsnkuuehmU&feature=fvw. The magnificent tree creates quite a spectacle in St. Peter’s Square. The generous donation of the tree is considered a great honor. This year the majestic 110 foot, 94 year old tree was donated by Luson in Trentino-Alto Adige. In addition, the Vatican erects a huge “Il Presepio” nativity scene in the square. It is generally unveiled on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Eve, the Pope celebrates midnight mass at the Basilica. At noon on Christmas day, the Pope delivers his Christmas message and gives his blessing from the window of his apartment overlooking the square to the crowds gathered at the Vatican.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the most famous Catholic Church in the World with a staircase of over 500 steps that leads to the summit of the dome. The Treasury of Saint Peter’s houses a collection of precious relics.

On New Year’s Day there is a parade in the Vatican City. For the Epiphany, hundreds of people in medieval costumes walk along the wide avenue leading up to the Vatican called the “Street of Reconciliation” bearing symbolic gifts for the pope. The Pope says morning mass to commemorate the visit of the Wise Men bearing gifts for the Christ child.

As the hub of the papacy, Rome had tremendous power and wealth. Artists and architects flocked to Rome to work for the popes. In a lunette over the central opening into the portico of the Basilica is Giotto’s mosaic “Navicella della Chiesa” from 1298. This restored mosaic shows Jesus walking on the waters of the Sea of Tiberias with his right hand extended toward Peter. He is inviting Peter to come with him. Peter is overcome by fear and is beginning to sink. Jesus saves him and says” “How little faith you have! Why did you falter?” This symbolic representation is inspired by the words of Christ, comparing the church to a ship that is constantly battered by storms. Saint Peter’s ship will never sink because it can always rely on the help of its founder.

In the middle of the 17th century, the papacy commissioned Gian Lorenzo Berninito work his distinctive artistic magic on Rome. The world’s greatest Baroque scultptor lavished his creative genius on the ancient city. In 1665, Bernini completed the splendid “Throne of Saint Peter in Glory” at the far end of the nave beneath the glistennig “Dove” stained-glass window in the space behind the altar. The throne depicts the power of the pontiff and is surrounded by the statues of the founding fathers of the church.

Image via Wikipedia

Bernini’s flamboyant baroque genius is apparent in other Vatican monuments. Admire his opulent bronze Baldacchino and tabernacle at the papal altar. The bronze for Bernini’s canopy was taken from the Pantheon. His incredible monument to Pope Alexander VIIis one of my favorite sculptures and memorializes the life of the pope with elaborate marble allegorical figures. Bernini also designed the Piazza outside the church. The colonnade surrounding the square was designed by Bernini between 1656 and 1666. The configuration represents two outstretched arms welcoming faithful pilgrims to the Basilica. There are 140 statues of saints watching over the Basilica above the colonade.

The dome of the St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

St. Peter’s Basilica (Photo credit: Jungle_Boy)

Michelangelo Buonarotti designed the dome in 1546. It is almost as wide as Hadrian’s dome on the Pantheon. Michelangelo’s magnificent “Pieta” is housed in St. Peter’s Basilica. It was sculpted halfway through the last millennium when he was 25 years old. It has been protected by glass since it suffered glass a devastating attack of vandalism in 1972. A madman struck the face with a hammer and also knocked off the Madonna’s left arm.

English: Michelangelo’s Pietà in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Français : La Pietà de Michel-Ange située dans la Basilique Saint-Pierre, au Vatican. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In 1473, Sixtus IV commissioned Giovannni De Dolci to build a chapel for Papal ceremonies. This Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican Museum a few blocks away from St. Peter’s. It houses Michelangelo’s brilliant masterpieces. His monumental frescoes are a magnificent sight to behold and are considered the greatest masterpiece in the history of art. The barrel vaulted ceiling has a scene that represents Adam and Eve’s Original Sin and Expulsion from the Garden of Eden. The “Last Judgment” is located on the wall behind the main altar and was completed in 1541. Christ, the supreme judge, welcomes the blessed and banishes the damned. St. Peter holds the key that Christ gave him when he appointed him the head of the Church.

Bloomingdale’s Christmas Tree

Happy Holidays from www.vino-con-vista.com

11 Comments

Filed under Ancient Rome, Bramante, Christmas in Italy, Clementine Chapel, ebooks, Emperor Constantine, Italian Architecture, Italian art, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Last Judgment, Michelangelo's Rondanini Pieta, Pope Alexander VII, Pope Julius II, Renaissance Art, Renaissance Artists, Roman Emperors, Rome, Rome History, Rome Italy, Saint Peter, Scavi Tour of Saint Peter's Basilica, St. Peter in Glory, Travel and Tourism, Vatican Christmas Tree, Vatican Grottos, Vatican presepe, vino con vista

Tagged as Ancient Rome, Bernini, Bernini's Baldacchino, Buon Natale by Nat King Cole, Catholic Church, Christmas, Christmas at the Vatican, Clementine Chapel, Giotto's Navicella della Chiesa, italy travel, Italy Travel Guide, Last Judgment, Michelangelo, Peter, Pope Alexander VII, Pope John Paul II, Roman Empire, Rome, Saint Peter, Sea of Tiberias, Silent Night by Mahalia Jackson, Sistine Chapel, Sistine Chapel ceiling, St. Peter's Basilica, Travel and Tourism, Vatican, Vatican Christmas Tree, Vatican CIty, Vatican Museums, Vatican Necropolis, Vatican Scavi, vino con vista

June 24, 2011 · 7:43 am

Gian Lorenzo Bernini’s Magnificent Baroque Rome

Bernini was a versatile genius who lavished the city of Rome with his gifts. He transformed sacred and secular buildings and interiors into magical places. He created fountains, papal monuments, the angels on the Ponte Sant’Angelo, the Damned Soul and Blessed Soul at the Palazzo di Spagna and a plethora of phenomenal sculptures which led to his meteoric rise. Here’s my Vino con Vista Video of Bernini’s Rome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGX_gZMMa00

I Love Bernini’s Rome: A Baroque Paradise Video.

: Fountain in Piazza Navona

The Rape of Proserpina sculpture by Bernini in the Galleria Borghese. Photo taken by myself on 01/20/07. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Gian Lorenzo Bernini was born in Naples on December 7, 1598. Touring Rome is like going on a Bernini Treasure hunt. He designed Baroque churches like Sant’Andrea al Quirinale. He designed statues like the brawny Moor wrestling with a dolphin in La Fontana del Moro in Piazza Navona as well as the travertine Triton in Piazza Barberini.

The Rape of Proserpina (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Who doesn’t love his magnificent “Rape of Proserpina” and the incredble river statues in Piazza Navona? His “Rape of Proserpina” depicts Persephone being swept away by Pluto at the Borghese Gallery.

A detail of the Rape of Proserpina sculpture by Bernini in the Galleria Borghese. Photo taken by myself on 01/20/07. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He carved this for Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The Galleria Borghese has a number of his magnificent works on display: Daphne turning into a tree; Aeneas, Anchises and Ascanius; and David with his slingshot.

His work is everywhere in Rome! I love the Bust of Giovanni Battista Santoni that he crafted in the Santa Prassede Church in Rome.

He was the force behind the colonnade in front of St. Peter’s Basilica as well as the Chair of Saint Peter in the apse of the church. His “Ecstacy of St. Theresa” in the Cornaro Chapel in the church of Santa Maria della Vittoriais legendary and will bring tears to your eyes!

Bernini’s St. Teresa of Avila

Bernini’s self portrait as a young man

Gian Lorenzo Bernini mastered the art of breathing life into stone in his Baroque creations throughout Rome. He was able to snag some of the most important papal commissions in Rome because of his masterful attention to detail.

Angel with Crown of Thorns by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, marble, 1667–1669 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He was also involved in many architectural projects including the piazza and colonnades in front of St. Peter‘s. Bernini’s flamboyant baroque genius is also apparent in his opulent bronze Baldacchino above the papal altar (over the site of St. Peter’s grave) and his monument to Pope Alexander VII. The bronze for Bernini’s canopy was recycled from the Pantheon. Bernini’s majestic bronze Baldacchino (canopy) has spiral columns that ascend about nine stories above the tomb of St. Peter and the papal altar. Bernini’s altar weighs more than 121 tons. The basilica is about the same height as a 15 story building he also created the monumental ”Chair of St. Peter” in front of the gold window Baldachinno in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Bernini’s monument to Maria Raggi

He crafted this gorgeous gilt bronze and black marble memorial to the nun Maria Raggi in 1643 in the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. Two flying putti carry a gilt-bronze portrait medallion surmounted by a cross. I also love The Angel with the Crown of Thorns and Angel with the Superstition at the church of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte.

Elephant of Minerva in Piazza di Santa Sopra Minerva

Bernini’s smiling elephant supports the obelisk in Piazza della Minerva in front of the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva and was comissioned by Pope Alexander VII in 1665. The inscription on the base of the structure aligns the Egyptian goddess Isis and the Roman goddess Minerva with the Virgin Mary.

If you look at the rear end of the elephant, it is pointed at the office of Father Domenico Paglia. He was a Domenican Friar who was one of the main antagonists of Bernini’s Baroque colleagues in Rome’s art community.

Bernini’s magical fountains are prevalent in Rome. His Triton blowing into a conch shell in Piazza Barberini is held up by four dolphins.

Giacomo della Porta created the fountain with sculpted tritons in 1574-1576, and Gian Lorenzo Bernini redesigned it 1654, adding the central statue “il Moro”, an Ethiopian fighting a dolphin. The fountain is situated in the south of Piazza Navona in Rome, Italy. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Rome, Fountain of the Triton, in piazza Barberini square, by Gianlorenzo Bernini. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Fontana della Barcacia in Piazza di Spagna

Bernin’s Fountain by Piazza Barberini

In Piazza Navona, Bernini’s sumptuous baroque “Fountain of the Four Rivers” graces the Piazza that became a Pamphilj showcase; topped with the “Obelisk of Domitian” from the Circus of Maxentius on the Appian Way. The travertine fountain was executed by a large group of sculptors under Bernini’s supervision. The fountain symbolizes the four continents using symbolic figures of four rivers. The Ganges River with the oar symbolizes Asia and was created by Claude Poussin. The Danube with the arms up in the air, represents Europe and was done by Antonio Raggi. The Rio Della Plata with the coins symbolizes the riches of the Americas and was sculpted by Francessco Baratta and the Nile with the head covered was made by Antonio Fancelli and represents Africa. Pope Innocent X Pamphilj commissioned Bernini to design the fountain in 1651. Bernini intentionally placed a veil over the face of the “Nile” River statue. The ancient obelisk was moved to the center of the fountain as a symbol of the triumphant dominance of the Christ’s Catholic Church over the world.

Bernini’s magnificent sculptures in the Carmelite Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria in the Cornaro chapel with the Cornaro Cardinals are legendary. Teresa’s vision of divine revelation is one of my favorite Bernini masterpieces.

Inside the Basilica di San Pietro you can admire this Tomb of Pope Alexander VII with ornate marble and gilded bronze surrounded by elegant virtues that depict the life of the Pope. The skeleton of Death with an hour glass reminds us that our days are numbered.

Bernini’s Tomb: Santa Maria Maggiore

Bernini died in Rome in 1680 and was buried in the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore near the papal altar where you can view his grave site. The inscription says: “Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who brought honor to art and the city, here humbly lies.”

The marker in the floor says: “The noble Bernini family here awaits the resurrection.” Here’s a video:

I Love Bernini’s Rome: A Baroque Paradise Video.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Italy Travel Guides. To learn more about Rome visit www.vino-con-vista.com

The Most Spectacular Fountains in Rome (vinoconvistablog.wordpress.com)
Rome’s Fountain of the Moor in Piazza Navona (vinoconvistablog.wordpress.com)
The Magnificent Papal Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome is a UNESCO Site (vinoconvistablog.wordpress.com)
The Incredible Iconography of the Trevi Fountain in Rome Italy (vinoconvistablog.wordpress.com)
Rome’s Spectacular Piazzas with Fountains (vinoconvistablog.me)
The Fountains of Rome (vino-con-vista.blogspot.com)
Spend a Glorious Vino Con Vista Weekend in Rome: Non Basta una Vita (vinoconvistablog.me)
Silent Night Holy Night: A Vatican Christmas (vinoconvistablog.me)
Toss A Coin At The Trevi Fountain! (vino-con-vista.blogspot.com)
Bernini’s Church of Sant’ Andrea al Quirinale in Rome was his Favorite (vinoconvistablog.me)
Watch the Water Flow in the Spectacular Fountains of Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)
How to Decipher the Eternal City of Rome (vinoconvistablog.me)
My Glorious Vino Con Vista Weekend in Rome: Non Basta una Vita (vinoconvistablog.me)
The life and work of Bernini Documentary (dphilosophy.com)

4 Comments

Filed under Bernini, Bernini Baldacchino, Churches in Rome, David and Goliath, ebooks, Italian Architecture, Italian art, Italy, Italy Travel Guides, Pope Alexander VII, Quirinale, Roman Architecture, Rome, Rome History, Rome Italy, Saint Peter, Scavi Tour of Saint Peter's Basilica, Spanish Steps in ROme, Travel and Tourism, Vatican Grottos, vino con vista, World Heritage Sites

Tagged as Baroque, Bernini, Christian, Fontana del Moro, Galleria Borghese, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, Gianlorenzo Bernini, Italy, Lazio, Piazza Barberini, Piazza Navona, Rape of Proserpina, Rome, Saint Peter, Sant'Andrea al Quirinale, Santa Maria della Vittoria, St. Peter's Basilica, The Rape of Proserpina

March 31, 2011 · 4:34 pm

The Beatification of Pope John Paul II at the Vatican

Pope John Paul II was be beatified on May 1, 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI on the day of the Feast of Divine Mercy. Watch the details of the event @

http://ow.ly/4KIMc

His coffin will be exhumed from the crypt and placed in front of the altar in St. Peter’s Basilica for the celebration.

Beatification is catholism’s highest honor and the penultimate act that will put him on the path to sainthood. This honor is bestowed for recognition of living a saintly life. This will be the first time that a pope has been beatified by his immediate successor. To learn the details of his beatification process go to http://www.radiovaticana.org/EN1/Articolo.asp?c=454138. This Vatican Radio Site details the “Decree of the Beatification of the Servant of God John Paul II.”

John Paul II, the Polish pontiff, was born in Wadowice Poland in 1920. His name was Karol Wojtyla and he was the youngest pope in 125 years. The Diosese of Rome launched a website dedicated to his canonization and beatification @ www.karol-wojtyla.org.

Pope John Paul II on 12 August 1993 in Denver (Colorado) Español: Papa Juan Pablo II el 12 de agosto de 1993 en Denver, Colorado. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

During his 26 year papacy he survived an asassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square in 1981. He died on April 2, 2005 at the age of 84 after suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for many years. “He authored more encyclical letters, apoltolic exhortations, constitutions and letters than any other pope in the 2000 year history of the Christian Church.”

To be beatified, you must perform a miracle. The miracle that was attributed to him was that a French nun by the name of Sister Marie Simon-Pierre’s miraculously recovered from Parkinson’s Disease http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bw5hwOcYR30. He must perform another miracle before he can be canonized.

To learn more about Italy read www.vino-con-vista.com Travel Guides.

Dr. EveAnn Lovero writes Travel Guides and Vino Con Vista Travel Guides can be purchased at these sites