Firewing Photography

A priest crosses Piazza San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square) in front of St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City, September 2016. While a lovely structure, I must confess to feeling that the Basilica was much smaller in person than I expected. Yes, it is “the world’s largest Basilica of Christianity,” but given the preponderance of ancient churches in Italy, it stands as a nice-to-see, rather than a must-see place. Fortunately, one can shoot the Basilica and the square (as I did) from Rome, without formerly crossing into the Holy See.

I found both the Pantheon (formerly a Roman Temple) and the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore far more impressive. Indeed, after seeing the latter structure, my wife and I no longer felt the need to visit the Sistine Chapel. Shots of those structures (minus the Sistine Chapel) on a later post.

Among that cluster of buildings, to the left rear in the photo, sits the Sistine Chapel. Note the long line of people. If you intend on visiting, consider buying a ticket online and reserving an entry time. Access is fairly simple using public transportation, but know that rush-hour in Roma is insane, so set an early-morning time at your own risk. These shots were taken in late afternoon.