Monthly Archives: August 2016

Vatican City and the Papal Audience.

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Fountains of St Peter’s Square,  this is one of two fountains created by Carlo Maderno (1612–1614) and Gian Lorenzo Bernini (1667–1677) to decorate the square in front of  St Peter’s Basilica.

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Crowds moving in with high security in place when entering the Square.

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Pope Francis arrives and moving freely around the crowd with his minders of course – it’s what everyone’s been waiting for since early morning.

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People Papal Audiences: Every Wednesday morning Pope Francis (when in Rome) holds a General Audience open to the public with thousands of people from all over the World.

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Not as crowded in early December and an excellent time of the year to visit. Summer is almost impossible …

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Christmas tree and Nativity Scene leading up to the usual festivities at this time of year.

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Message to the Celestial heavens, even priests need to be connected …

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On the 29th of April 2013, the coffin containing the body of Pope John Paul II was disentombed  before his beatification in the Vatican. The coffin was removed from the crypt below St. Peter’s Basilica as top Vatican officials and some of the late pope’s closest aides watched and prayed. Pope John Paul II was beatified on the 1st of May 2013 at the Vatican.

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On another of my previous trips and at the time of Pope John Paul II’s passing, it was time to chose a new Pope and the smoke (chimney on screen) would turn white when a decision had been made and about to be announced to the public.

The cardinals vote by secret ballot, processing one by one up to Michelangelo’s fresco of the Last Judgment, saying a prayer and dropping the twice-folded ballot in a large chalice. Four rounds of balloting are taken every day until a candidate receives two-thirds of the vote. The result of each ballot are counted aloud and recorded by three cardinals designated as recorders. If no one receives the necessary two-thirds of the vote, the ballots are burned in a stove near the chapel with a mixture of chemicals to produce black smoke.

When a cardinal receives the necessary two-thirds vote, the dean of the College of Cardinals asks him if he accepts his election. If he accepts, he chooses a papal name and is dressed in papal vestments before processing out to the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica. The ballots of the final round are burned with chemicals producing white smoke to signal to the world the election of a new pope.

Source: http://www.usccb.org

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Stairway down to the Pope’s Tombs within the Basilica.

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Inside the walkways underneath the Basilica – a must-see regardless of your faith or religious status.

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On this ancient bronze statue, St. Peter has his right toes worn down by centuries of pilgrims who traditionally touch the foot.
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The Baldachin is at the centre of the crossing and directly under the dome of the basilica. Designed by the Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it was intended to mark in a monumental way, the place of Saint Peter’s tomb underneath.

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Under its canopy is the high altar of the Basilica.

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Guards at the Vatican City gateway and time to say bye to Rome once again.

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Vatican City Post Box to send off those prized postcards.

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Buses to the airport and some information to note …

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Trains to/from the airport are easy to use and a quicker option to move through a traffic-congested city. See  http://www.rome-airport.info/in.html

Next stop Turin …

Rome, Italy

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Remember your first trip to Rome? How could you forget falling for one of the most romantic, sophisticated and yet historically significant cities in the world. Here at the Spanish Steps quite some time ago it was just delightful to hang about – considering it was my first European trip. However on this occasion, the area adjacent to the Steps were just being transformed and not yet complete … So I’ll have to show you around some other favourite spots of mine.

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Running shoes on and about to revisit one of my most-loved cities in Continental Europe.

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Undoubtedly, one of the big favourites – Trevi Fountain was designed by Italian architect Nicola Salvi and completed by Pietro Bracci. Standing 26.3 metres (86 ft) high and 49.15 metres (161.3 ft) wide, it’s the largest baroque fountain in the city and in fact one of the most famous in the world. It’s appeared in several notable films, including Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita.

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The Colosseum is an oval amphitheatre within the centre of Rome, built of concrete and sand it’s the largest ever built. A must see …
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Just situated just east of the Roman Forum, it could hold up to 80,000 spectators in its day and used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles such as animal hunts, executions, re-enactments of famous battles and dramas based on classical mythology.

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Not too far away is the Vespa Museum – Free Entry! Worthy of a visit.

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And you have the chance to view Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck on their Vespa from the movie Roman Holiday. The Mouth of Truth can be located at the church known as Santa Maria in Cosmedin.

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The Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and the Martyrs, Michelangelo achieved an unexampled sequence of shaped architectural spaces with few precedents or followers. There is no true façade – the simple entrance is set within one of the coved apses of a main space of the thermae.

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Additionally, this Basilica is used for many ceremonies including the funeral of soldiers killed abroad.

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Dedicated to the Christian martyrs – both known and unknown.

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The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  The National Monument of Victor Emmanuel II (Monumento Nazionale a Vittorio Emanuele II) is a remarkably large building made of white marble. Although not having towers in its general design, the medieval structure still attracts attention from almost all parts of Rome because its colour stands out in an array of other earth-coloured buildings. It is situated between the Capitoline Hill and Piazza Venezia and features some statues, columns and grand stairways.

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Basilica of St John Lateran (San Giovanni in Laterano), the present structure of the Basilica resembles the St Peter’s Basilica and the ancient church was residence of the popes until the coming back from the exile in Avignone (1377), when it was moved to the Vatican.

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The central bronze doors are Roman originals from the Curia (Senate House) in the Imperial Forum.

Well, I’m just a tiny bit short these days from 183 cm/6′ tall, so you can imagine the height and weight of this pair of metallic slammers …

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It’s for real. And not being used to seeing historical artefacts on display whilst walking around the streets, I’m thinking it’s not at all like my usual neighbourhood’s street art at home … Pleasantly surprised of course.

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Time for a snack, hot-roasted chestnuts this time.

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Followed by a proper Italian lunch of pasta, I just have to choose my sauce.

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Not forgetting to call into the entrance of the Vatican City to check there’s still a ticket available for the Papal Audience which is held on a Wednesday morning in front of the Basilica. If you need less than 10 tickets you can normally pick them up without a reservation from the Swiss Guards at the “Bronze Doors” located just after security at St Peter’s Basilica.

For tickets and information see website http://www.papalaudience.org/tickets

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Just checking the seating arrangements this time around as it’s been busy in the past, especially when it used to be inside the Basilica. I just happened to be lucky enough on my first visit to be in the front rows with Pope John Paul II officiating.

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At the end of the day it’s time to go home and rest up. I’ve decided to stay an extra couple of nights now I’ve my ticket to the see the Papal Mass for the People.

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Happy to have my ticket on show and looking forward to attending once again.

More of Rome to follow …

Palermo, Sicily – Italy

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Anyone who remembers Cannoli at school will be drooling at the sight of these … Originating in Sicily it’s a favourite doesn’t matter where you go.

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Walking around the centre of Palermo, it’s a photographer’s dream, an architectural adornment having weathered the test of time. All statues proudly showing off all their bits and pieces …

For cultural, artistic and economic reasons, Palermo is one of the largest cities in the Mediterranean and is now among the top tourist destinations in both Italy and Europe – easy to see why!

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Yes sculptures galore, particularly in the central area and the city has a population of more than 676,000 people. Many will be delighted to see these beauties basking in the sun on a daily basis – which incidentally would be most of the time during the year.

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Interesting doorways have become ‘my thing’ of late. Wondering who had passed through these now closed doors?

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The inhabitants are known as Palermitani or, poetically, panormiti. The languages spoken by its inhabitants are the Italian and Sicilian language including the Palermitano dialect.

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The Cathedral and Roman Catholicism is very important in Palermitano culture with the Patron Saint of Palermo being Santa Rosalia whose Feast Day is celebrated on 15 July.

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Lovely street scenes with florist shops full of colour and variety. Sicily is where you can pass through medieval villages and pristine historic centres; doesn’t matter if you’re on your way to crystal-clear waters lapping at white sandy beaches or just take a stroll through enchanting streets, stopping for an espresso or vino rosso and enjoy some people watching.

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Did someone say food?

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Although many traditional Sicilian dishes are termed Arab legacies, it is more accurate to say that they were born in Sicily and incorporated both Sicilian and Arab traditions as it’s renowned for its flavoursome derived ingredients.

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However, I found a cute little café, which as usual full of people with a mix of traditional and notably antipasti … And here at 4.00 euro, this was one of the best I’d encountered while swanning around Europe! Yum, couldn’t wait and starting eating before taking the photo … bit naughty!
Antica Focacceria Del Massimo – Da Basile Via Bara All’Olivella, 76, 90133 Palermo.

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A quick trip to the Post Office with its monolith exterior is a reminder of the power and might of what was once the communications centre. Once inside, it was quiet and echoing with silence. No lining up at all.

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Back on the tourist trail to visit some of the better-known areas such as The  Chiesa di San Cataldo at the central Piazza Bellini. It’s an exceptional  example of the Arab-Norman architecture which flourished in Sicily under the Norman domination of the island.  In the 18th century the church was used as a post office, then in the 19th century it was restored and brought back to a form which was more similar to the original Mediaeval edifice.

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The Regional Archaeological Museum Antonio Salinas possesses one of the richest collections of Punic and Ancient Greek art in Italy, as well as many items related to the history of Sicily.

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Just out of the city centre Palazzo dei Normanni and highest point in the area. Great for shopping, eating and just taking photos.

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The Palazzo dei Normanni or Royal Palace of Palermo. It was the seat of the  Kings of Sicily during the Norman domination and served afterwards as the main seat of power for the subsequent rulers of Sicily. The building is the oldest royal residence in Europe, the home of the rulers of the Kingdom of Sicily and imperial seat with Frederick II and Conrad IV.

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Must be in season … The area attracts significant numbers of tourists each year and widely known for its colourful fruit, vegetable and fish markets in the heart of Palermo, known as Vucciria, Ballarò and Capo.

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Located on the western side of Palermo, popular ferry destinations include Sardinia, Naples, Genoa, Tunisia and Malta.

Bus, car and taxi are the best methods of getting to the Palermo Ferry Port which is located on Via Del Mare. It’s possible to walk from Palermo’s central train station to the port but beware of pick pockets.

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Heading to Palermo’s Falcone–Borsellino Airport (IATA: PMO, ICAO: LICJ), formerly Punta Raisi Airport is located at Punta Raisi, it’s 35 kilometres (22 miles) west northwest of the city. Buses are inexpensive and taxis available and quoted around A$50.00 one way.

Next stop Rome …