One thing that struck me rather strongly about the Vatican is how well it blends in with Rome. I don’t know how to explain it really, but in all the pictures I’ve seen of the Vatican I never really associated it with Italy. I was always taught that it was an independent country inside Rome, and thus I thought of it as such. However, the buildings are built in such a Roman style that it becomes barely separable from the rest of Rome. The dome shaped structure of St. Peter’s Basilica, the beautiful columns; I felt that the entire style reminded me of the Pantheon or many of the other churches we’ve seen. Of course, the size is incomparable, and as is the enormous amount of work that went into the church.
An international flare crops up everywhere as the church floor compares the size of the church to many other humungous churches found worldwide. Also, almost every sign was also in English, which is the language many other people would know. Although Italian is one of the official languages of the Vatican (Latin being the other), I must admit I was surprised more were not used, especially Spanish. There is definitely an effort within the entire Vatican including the Basilica to make all Catholics feel welcome. I did not feel so obligated to speak Italian here, and I was amazed by the diversity around me. It seemed that you could tell everyone was from somewhere, and yet there was a religion in common. St. Peter’s Basilica is an incredible place to visit and I will never forget it.
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I completely agree with your observation about the style of the Basilica. Its outside structure, as well as its inside decorations, seem to be exactly of Roman traditions. However, I also noticed your observation regarding the welcoming feeling at the Vatican. It was clear to tell that many people were from different places across the globe, and it was really awesome to have some common ground with these strangers.
RispondiEliminaI also agree with your observation of the basilica looking like it fit right in with Roman styles. I notied the English everywhere too. I was almost surprised when I heard many of the people speaking it and I almost forgot I knew English myself until I remembered "Oh yeah! I speak that language!" Ha, I am so used to hearing Italian everywhere. It was nice to be able to understand everyone and it definitely made me feel welcome and at home.
RispondiEliminaFor some reason, and you can ask Gina, this blog was really hard for me to wrap my head around. I pretty much though too hard about it and made it too hard. I didn't even think about the stars down the middle of the church comparing it to the other big churches of the world. If that's not universal I don't know what is.. good call triSarahtops!
RispondiEliminaHa Tina.. I feel ya! I find myself trying to translate English all the time when I see it or hear it. Then it hits me that I actually know that language and I feel like an idiot.. good stuff.
Great post. I also thought of the Vatican as some unique entity far removed from society as we know it. However, the Vatican fits in quite nicely and has a very welcoming atmosphere. The enormous size of St. Peter's is incredible, and I like how they mocked other churches by marking the floor with their puny, inferior dimensions, haha kidding.
RispondiElimina