Email us at:
pej@pejnron.com
ron@pejnron.com

Click the sun to see the
weather in Buenos Aires!

The present day Saint Peter's Basilica was begun on 18 April 1506, and completed on 18 November 1626.  But going back roughly 2000 years before, when Nero's Circus was all the rage for those who loved chariot racing (which was pretty much the populous of Rome), Christianity was outlawed, and the Christians were persecuted.  At half time during the chariot races, the Romans killed Christians, by forcing them to fight wild animals and gladiators, or they were simply crucified.  Some were tarred up, tied to posts, and burned - human torches to light up the evening races.

  I'm sure most people will recall the exciting chariot race from the 1959 movie Ben-Hur with Charlton Heston.



  This is the Circus Maximus on the far side of the Palatine Hill from the Colosseum.  This is a clay modeled reproduction.

         This is Nero's Circus with the obelisk that today resides in St. Peter's Square.                          The obelisk base now rests upon the backs of
                                                                                                                                                     four bronze lions, thanks to Pope Sixtus IV

It is easy to see the importance of chariot racing in Rome during the first couple of centuries around the birth of Christ.  Their were many elaborate racetracks built to advance the sport, and there was also much competition between various wealthy families, along with wagers, and all the various side effects that come with such things.

One of those Christians killed here in about A.D. 65, was Peter, Jesus' right-hand man, who had come to Rome to spread the message of love.  At his own request, Peter was crucified upside-down, because he felt unworthy to die as his master had.  His remains were buried in a nearby cemetery located where the main altar of St. Peter's is today.  For 250 years, these relics were quietly and secretly revered.

Peter had been recognized as the first "pope," or bishop of Rome, from whom all later popes claimed their authority as head of the Church.  When Christianity was finally legalized in 313, the Christian emperor Constantine built a church on the site of Peter's martyrdom.  "Old St. Peter's" lasted nearly 1,200 years (A.D. 329-1500).

But before we go back inside the church, let's take in some more of the views of Rome from the top of the dome.

 Rome is a beautiful city, with many wonderful sights, well manicured parks and marvelous architecture everywhere.



  Pete was in heaven.  Here we were, both of us on top of Saint Peter's Basilica and neither of us had been struck by
  lightening, nor cast down from this very holy place.  I can only suppose that our transgressions are not all that bad.



 Rome stretches out for miles in all directions from the Vatican.  It was a very beautiful day.  How lucky can we get?



 The Vatican gardens are so peaceful and serene.  Perfect for quiet meditations or contemplating the mysteries of life.



   The covering of the dome is thick sheets of lead, as are the coverings over the windows.  Each window covering
   has an intricate shield and the name of some saint, or bishop, or pope (I imagine) molded into its lead covering. 



       If I'm not mistaken, that intricately and perfectly manicured garden art is the Vatican Cote of Arms.



That garden sculpture at about 2 o'clock from the center of the photo looks like something out of Dr. Zeus' "Cat In The Hat".



         This scene certainly belies the serious economic difficulties Italy is experiencing these days.



     Wouldn't it be great to own an apartment down there among those beautiful building off in the distance? 



   Back down on the roof, we get a closer look at some of Bernini's ten foot high saints.  They are pretty awesome.

It is time to end this chapter.  In the next chapter we'll take you back inside the church for some more photos and facts.