St. Peter's Basilica REDUX (The Vatican)

Statue of St. Peter near the main altar of the basilica.

The day began with a visit to St. Peter's Basilica with the new group of priests who joined this part of the sabbatical program.  For the next three weeks we will be having conferences on the art and architecture of Rome. The conferences will be presented by Professor Liz Lev, a noted art historian who is an art advisor to The Vatican.  In our brief tour of the basilica, Professor Lev brought to our attention historical details which most people would either not know or be unaware of, as they walk through the basilica.  It was a very fascinating "re-introduction" to the basilica.  

Professor Lev begins her tour at the central door of the basilica.

The Holy Year Door, which is opened every 25 years.

Professor Lev in the shadow of the statue of St. Ignatius Loyola.

I ended the day with a delightful dinner with Deanna, Denise, Vin and Peter at a restaurant on a side street off of the Piazza di Spagna.  They are headed for a day in Florence tomorrow.  If the weather is anything like today, there will be brilliant sunshine, a perfect day to make the 90 minute train ride to Florence to visit the major tourist attractions and return to Rome at the end of the day.  As for me, it is back to the routine of morning conferences!