Summary
Visiting Vatican City
Exploring Vatican City in Rome was a significant experience for us.
Having spent considerable time reading about it, viewing photographs, and absorbing countless stories, my eagerness was palpable by the time we arrived.
Preparation for the Visit
Moreover, it is crucial to adequately prepare before your visit.
One must wake up early to mitigate the crowd (which we did not manage very well—though we were up reasonably early, it was insufficient to dodge the long queues) and essentially arrange any necessary elements ahead of time.
First Impression of St. Peter’s Basilica
As our taxi approached the Vatican, catching sight of St. Peter’s Basilica filled me with an undeniable urge to exit the vehicle even before it came to a complete stop.
Joining the Queue
The magnificence of St. Peter’s Basilica lived up to expectations, and instead of immediately joining the queue, I took the time to stroll around the square and absorb the stunning beauty of the surroundings.
Climbing St. Peter’s Basilica
It was not until Lloyd highlighted the rapidly expanding queue that I proceeded to make my way toward the line to enter St. Peter’s Basilica.
Exploring Inside St. Peter’s Basilica
During our visit, it is significant to mention that carrying cash is necessary when contemplating climbing to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. Fortunately, I had just enough loose change to cover one admission (I had not considered withdrawing cash for Rome in advance, as we typically do not travel with cash). Therefore, since Lloyd had previously visited (this was his second experience), I ascended on my own.
Next Steps: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel
The stairs leading up to the dome are not excessively challenging to navigate, though they do have some narrow sections. Nevertheless, one finds oneself quickly ascending toward the roof area of St. Peter’s Basilica.
A further set of stairs leads you to the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, showcasing breathtaking views over Rome and the Vatican.
Ultimately, I returned to meet Lloyd before entering St. Peter’s Basilica once more.
Final Thoughts
One must acknowledge that St. Peter’s Basilica is equally stunning on the inside, perhaps even more so than on the outside.
It is a beautiful church and a remarkable architectural triumph.
Every angle reveals another beautiful feature awaiting your admiration, guaranteeing it to be one of the highlights of my journey to Rome.
I’m excited to continue sharing additional experiences from this trip, particularly our explorations of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.
