Thursday 21 January 2016

The Eternal City

Of all the books in the world, the best stories are found between the pages of a passport.  I want to make memories all over the world...by train, by boat, by plane.  Actually it doesn't matter as long as I can travel.  
  -- Kumar Sanu

The Eternal City, the Vatican,  is surrounded by columns, statues, ornamentation, barricades, vendors.  It is quite something to be able to walk in the square and wander around.  It is impressive and imposing.  Spiritually it was not working for me in that square.  It was too commercial and too busy to find any peace or tranquility.  It was, however, a fabulous place to people watch as vendors tried to sell their wares and others tried to sell tours by telling us we could skip the line ups (these are practically non existent as it is off season!) and selfie stick anyone?!?!?

We meandered through the streets enjoying the feel of the city, watching people rush by and getting a little off track but generally going in the right direction.  A brief pause for gelato, a walk across the bridge of angels and a ride on the public transit were all put into the events of the day.


As we walked the streets the Dome of the Vatican Cathedral could be seen in the distance


Some of the Arches that we saw on the way (plus the crazy traffic!)


Part of the wall that surrounds the Vatican 


Directions to Vatican City


The tops of the buildings are lined with statues


The ornateness of the work is breathtaking


The front of the Cathedral


Fountain in Vatican Square


The Christmas tree is still up and beautifully decorated


Note the detailing of the statues


Part of the Nativity -- we thought is was the Good Samaritan


The manger Scene


Wisemen


another section of the nativity


More statue images from the tops of the buildings


Here is a lovely view of the Square and Cahtedral


Vatican Square Scenery


Street leading out of the square


Catherine of Seinna Statue


Bridge of the Angels with the Castle in the background


river and city scene

6 comments:

  1. Enjoyed the picture tour! Haven't been there. Have a wonderful time!

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  2. Enjoyed the picture tour! Haven't been there. Have a wonderful time!

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  3. What? No private audience with the Pope?
    Love your pics Karen! That Nativity Scene sure is something else ........ Next pic set needs to have Edmund eating Gelato ......... or pizza! :) Sarah

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    1. We won't be here on the day that he holds an audience unfortunately. And we did have Gelato I just did not include that pic on the blog!

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