Spanish steps and the Vatican and Angels Unaware

‘Spanish Steps’

Walked over to the famous Spanish Steps which have little to do with Spain really and were commissioned by Louis 14th of France.     They climb a slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the bottom and Piazza Trinita dei Monta and the church of the same name at the top.   Only 135 steps but beautifully designed, to link the French church and the Spanish embassy below.   Lovely views over Rome and as Jeff discovered an interesting tea room at the bottom - Babingtons which was opened in around 1890 by two English ladies who introduced the notion of tea drinking to Rome.    We nearly went in to introduce our Yorkshire Teabags but alas will have to save that for another day.

The Vatican

We thought all the self-guided slots at the Vatican were booked but Jeff suggested we just went anyway and 'knocked on the door' so to speak.     Amazingly they had just had a group cancellation and 9 tickets were available for today!    It was so interesting to see the many museums, artifacts, Sistene Chapel, and St Peter's Square and the Cathedral which amounted to many miles walking and 104 pictures taken.    Some of which are posted below.   Much to think about today.

Sphere within a sphere 

Arnold Pomodoro 1990

Sistene Chapel 

St Pauls

'Angels Unawares'

Last thing we saw in St Peter's Square was a beautiful although haunting sculpture.    It has been there since 2019 as part of an initiative to raise awareness of the plight of migrants and refugees.   Pope Francis celebrated a special Mass for its installation.