Our last full day in Rome. Well, actually, just about our last day in Rome, given the 5AM departure on the next morning.
From the front of the Aurealia Gardens Hotel - a sheep dog guarding over its flock - definitely quasi-rural out here.
At the Sacred Steps - believed to be the steps which Jesus walked up when entering the house of Pontius Pilate. They were brought to Rome by the Empress Helena.
The Monument to Victor Emmanuel II, the king who united Italy.
The church was built under the generosity of an Imperial matron, Eudoxia, daughter of Theodosius the Younger and wife of the Emperor Valentinian III. The chains used by Herod to hold Peter were sent to Eudoxia by her mother, who had received them from the bishop of Jerusalem. To house the chains, the young Eudoxia built the basilica. The chains are held under the altar.
Looking towards the altar, showing yet another amazing ceiling. The crowd at the lower right are in front of Michelangelo's statue.
The ceiling.
Michelangelo's statue of Moses. This part of the building is undergoing renovations, thus blocking off the view of the upper part of this area. The statue was ordered by (the future) Pope Julius II, who ordered Michelangelo to build him a funeral monument, of which the statue of Moses was the first component. The statue was to be the central figure of an enormous mausoleum which was to have included 40 statues. The tomb was instead erected in the right transept under Pope Paul III (1534 - 1549) with only a few statues completed.
The potent sculpture is considered one of the most moving among western art. The strong and secure Moses is portrayed in a very simple position, yet emanates a sense of strength and majesty suggesting divine investiture. The two statues of Leah and Rachael were also designed by Michelangelo.
Neat parking only - in front of St. Peter In Chains.
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