St. Peter's Square

My first adventure in Rome was going to the Vatican.  There are five entrances to the Vatican, only two entrances can by used by the visitors.  This is one of the entrances leading into St. Peter's Square.  Look at the people, just think I was there during low season.  Which the books say that there is only about a three to four week period from mid January early February that is considered the low season!  You can see that the sidewalks are all cobblestone, many of the streets are cobblestone also, and many streets are basically closed to car traffic and the cafes set tables up in the street.



This is St. Peter's Square, it hold 700,000 people standing.  As you can see to the left is the Nativity scene and Christmas tree.  The square screens to the right and left of the pictures are used when the Pope holds mass at Christmas and Easter so that everyone can see him.



Look at the top row of windows, the second one from the right, this is the window that the Pope address the people on Wednesdays and Sundays.

The line to the right is the line to get into the Basilica.  I did not in on Saturday, I waited to go to mass Sunday morning.

St. Peter's Basilica. 
The Center balcony is where the new Pope is introduced to the people, whenever we get a new Pope.

 Two of the guards that were in the square.

In the upper left of the picture, the building with the triangle roof, with the antenna on top is the Sistine Chapel.  The window that is in corner of this building is where the black or white smoke comes from when the decision is being made about a new Pope.

The entire Vatican is surrounded by a wall.  It is the smallest state in the world with a population of only about 900 citizens.  They have their own money, passport stamp, and everything sold inside the Vatican is about 25% cheaper than in Rome.  (That doesn't include the gift shops!)  They also do not have to pay any  Roman taxes.

Vatican Wall.  I had no idea that the Vatican was surrounded by a wall!



A guard standing in one of the entrances for the residents or employees of the Vatican.  The buildings inside the Vatican look just like other buildings in Rome.

 

Guards without their coat.