Rome Photos April 2011 Page 11

Italy Page 11
The Dome of Saint Peter's Basilica

The beginning of the 323 steps that lead up into the dome.
Your journey begins with a steep, narrow spiral staircase.
If you are claustrophobic, this isn't for you.

A view outside, partway up into the dome.
Several screened views are provided on the way up.

The spiral staircase is followed by a series of long staircases that wind their way around the dome.
A view looking back down one of those stairway sections.

Another screened window to the outside.

This photo is not crooked! The walls of the passage are sloped according to the curvature of the dome.
The inside of the dome is on the right. The window on the left affords a view of the outdoors.
The stairway in the background provides a true perspective of horizontal and vertical.
That stairway is the beginning of a section of zig-zag, switchback staircases that lead you on top of the dome.

Jodie inside the dome's walkway.
After the zig-zag stairs, there is one last spiral staircase.
I was unable to shoot a photo of that staircase because it was way too cramped and steep.
There is a large rope in the center of that very steep staircase to use as a hand-hold.

A view from the dome. The dome of Saint Peter's Basilica is the highest point in Rome.

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