The Cupola on top of St. Peter’s Basilica

The Vatican City looking down from the Cupola on top of St. Peter’s Basilica

Ever wondered where the Pope actually lives inside the Vatican City, what his house looks like?  Have you been to the Vatican City or seen inside St. Peter’s Basilica and then made the courageous climb to the very top of the Cupola?  The first time I visited Rome, just like everyone else a trip to the Vatican City and St. Peter’s Basilica was a must see, I queued up with the masses until I finally arrived at the turn gate only to be ushered back to the end of the line again and told firmly to cover up!  Like many tourists on their first trip to see this sacred place adorned amongst the angles, too much flesh in the form of shoulders and knees were exposed.  La Signora at the little tourist shop sold me two very over priced sarongs, one for the upper and one for the lower half.  Back in line for another 20 minutes draped in imported Indian sarongs and I was finally making my way through the grandest of doors, when upon entering tears emerged uncontrollably with no rhyme or reason!  
Rome was my calling card, I moved there to live just next door to the Vatican City which is the smallest country in the world and surrounds St. Peter’s Basilica.  After many return visits to this incredible place I finally plucked up the courage to climb the narrow spiral staircase all the way to the highest point overlooking the Vatican City.  Words can’t describe the panorama accept for saying ‘e bellissima’, truly breathtaking gardens with only the highest quality of work completed to exceptional standards.  As far as the eye can see this is one of the best views in Rome.  If you don’t like heights, suffer from vertigo or subject to feeling faint in confined spaces the climb to the top could start your heart pumping ‘presto’!  Trust me the climb is well worth it once you arrive to the circular balcony surrounding the very top of the Cuppola!

Face outward overlooking Rome to its entirety, look to your left inside the Vatican City and all the way down to capture a snippet of what is almost another world. Remember if you climb up, you have to climb down again and its a one way staircase so make the most of every second as the wait can be a long one. xmm