On Friday, Noelle and I decided to take a church tour of sorts since we are both positively addicted to them since arriving in Italy. So we prepared our maps and our church appropriate clothing (since there are very specific standards here) and off we went!
We took the Metro into the city (always an experience), fighting tooth and nail for a little space to grip onto as the subway conductor recklessly maneuvered the train through the twists and turns in the track. Once the doors opened at the Barberini station we raced above ground into the sunlight. It was a particularly humid day and unfortunately the first church we went to was closed for the siesta hours so we had to head to the next stop on our maps:
1.Papal Basilica of Saint Mary Major
This church was elaborately trimmed with gold from ceiling to floor. Aside from being gigantic looking, the outside of the Basilica looked relatively unassuming (for Roman standards, that is) but on the inside it was clear that contributers spared no expense on the decoration. Many of the churches in Rome have the similar feature of being comprised of a main church and several chapels as well as having a covering over the alter of the main church much akin to a gazebo in a backyard (except much more expensive). These coverings are all very beautiful in their own right but they tend to detract from the detailed mosaics painted on the domes and ceilings above the alters. This church was very decorated but not to the point of being overwhelming.
2. Saint Peter in Chains
This church was the definition of simple but gorgeous nonetheless. The entire inside was white-washed with the exception of a large painting in the center of the ceiling that was done in vivid colors depicting the building's namesake. Another of the church's claims-to-fame is the statue of Moses sculpted by Michelangelo. This church also had a large covering over the alter that made seeing the paintings that surrounded the alter and continued up onto the ceiling difficult to view without craning your neck around the monstrosity. In the pulpit, a case contained the chain's of St. Peter for visitors to view. The simplistic decoration of this church made it extremely easy to take everything in and enjoy your surroundings.
3. Basilica of San Clemente
In this church photography was not allowed with the exception of in the courtyard. While we were in the yard, two little boys ran to the fountain and splashed around. It was adorable! I had to snap a few photos. Within San Clemente was an amazing 12th century mosaic surrounding the alter at the front of the church. The colors were very metallic and rich looking consisting of shimmering golds, deep blues and warm reds. The mosaic was created out of millions of little tiles rather than paint as we saw in many of the other churches. This church is especially neat because when it was built in the 12th century, the basilica was put over top of the original church which was erected in the 4th century.
4. Papal Archbasilica of St. John Lateran
This was the final and the most extravagent church that we have seen since being in Rome. It was only later that we found out this church ranks as the number one church in the world outside of the Vatican and is home to the Pope's throne. The church had about 16 different portions: 2 main churches and several chapels throughout. In one of the main sections there are gigantic statues of each of the 12 Apostles. This basilica was almost too much as beautiful as it was. It was just so much to look at that no person could truly appreciate it in one visit alone. Hopefully, we will be able to get back there before we leave Italy in 4 weeks (*gasp*)! I think we'll manage.
On our adventure, we passed the Colosseum as well. We haven't had time to get there yet but judging by the lines we saw, that may be a day trip within itself!
Tomorrow we are heading to the travel agent to work out our trip to Paris! Best start brushing up on my French...
Je voudrais peanut m&ms, s'il vous plait. Bonne nuit!
No comments:
Post a Comment