Endlessly Walking

Monday was our first day of our "crash-course in Italian survival". We met at the Pantheon Institute office and were led by two of our professors through the neighborhood surrounding the city. We saw numerous things on our travels, including Piazza Navona, which is home to the Fountain of the Four Rivers. Our professors also pointed out useful stops and tricks to getting around and living in Rome. In total we probably walked about 6.5 miles, just in the morning alone.

Piazza Navona and The Fountain of the Four Rivers

 We headed back to the apartment, ate a late lunch, and rested our feet before heading back out. As the sun began to set, we walked along the Tiber River as we made the unexpectedly long trek to the Vatican. The large dome of Saint Peter's Basilica rises above most of Rome, so finding it isn't difficult. Its size however, created a deceiving perception of the distance that we had to travel in order to reach it. After over 40 minutes of walking covering almost 2.5 miles, we finally reached Saint Peter's Square. The obelisk located at the center of the square was surrounded by the larger than life size nativity scene and large Christmas tree. The line was short to get in the Basilica, so we went in and enjoyed being dwarfed by the grand spaces and elaborate details. No matter how many pictures I take, they will never do this space justice.

Tiber River and Saint Peter's Basilica Dome in the Distance
(Yes we walked to it!)

Bridge of the Tiber and Castel Sant'Angelo

Via Della Conciliazione leading up to Saint Peter's Square

Saint Peter's Basilica with its obelisk and nativity scene
The final design for Saint Peter's Basilica was developed by Michelangelo,
 but the square was designed by Bernini

Nativity Scene and Christmas tree

Obelisk

Obelisk and Christmas Tree

Life Size Nativity Scene

Inside Saint Peter's Basilica

Michelangelo's Pieta

Window and chair of Peter, located behind altar, designed by Bernini