San Pietro....my first time

(I have tried to translate from German into english as good as I was able to)

Ich starte eine Reihe von "Momentaufnahmen" in denen ich besondere Augenblicke beschreibe.

Herewith, I start a few impressions to describe precious moments.

Also:

Am Nachmittag des 25. Mai 2006 beschloss ich, meinen ersten Blick in den Petersdom zu werfen (allein). Ich ging durch die Taschenkontrollen und hin zum großen Eingangsportal.

In the afternoon of May 25th, 2006, I choosed to get into St Peters for my first time- I was alone (it was not planned on this day). I went through the Xray Control and went in.

Ich stand nun genau am Eingang und schaute durch die Hauptpforte in das Innere hinein: es tat sich ein unbeschreibliches Bild vor mir auf: die Lichtstrahlen strömten wie goldene Balken von der Kuppelöffnung in diesen herrlichen Dom, hier könnt ihr es sehen:

I was now standing right in the entrance and watched through the main door in the inner heart of St Peter: a undescribable picture was in front of my eyes: the beams of light were streaming like golden columnes from the cupola down into the dome, here you can see it:



Ich schritt langsam, den Kopf in den Nacken gelegt und zur Decke blickend, in Richtung dieser wunderbaren, von Michelangelo geschaffenen Hauptkuppel, wie im Traum....und sah die Inschrift "Tu es Petrus...." (Du bist Petrus, auf Dich werde ich meine Kirche bauen"....

Slowly, I walked inside, laying my head in the neck and watching the ceiling,this fantastic Coppola made by Michelangelo....I felt like dreaming.. with open eyes and open mouth I walked, slowly...and then I saw the inscription: "Tu es Petrus..."[/i]

..

.mir liefen die Tränen aus den Augen, mein Herz bebte, ich schritt weiter und die Sonne die in die Kuppel schien blendete mich, sodaß ich nichts mehr sah außer dem Heiliggeistfenster über dem Stuhl Petri....ich richtete mein Auge auf die Taube , die in gleissendes Licht getaucht war, sah nichts sonst...

..tears ran down my cheeks, my heart was trembling, the sun which shined on me through the Coppola was blinding me so I couldn´t see anything else more than the Holy Ghost Window upon the Chair of St. Peter. ..i I fixed my eyes on the dove which was surrounded by brightest light, didn´t see anything else but that....

....


hörte die Gesänge des gerade dort stattfindenden Vespergebetes, das war solch ein erhabener, überströmender Augenblick, ich fühlte: Hier bist du mitten im innersten Herzen Deiner Kirche, HIER bist Du am Ziel Deiner irdischen Pilgerreise, am Puls deines Glaubens. Das Glücksgefühl überwältigte mich. Ich schritt in die Kapelle und fiel kniend auf eine Bank, betete die Vesper mit und schaute die ganze Zeit auf die Taube....

...I listened to the voices of the singing Priests whio just held their Vesper- prayer, this was such an amazing, gloryfiing moment, and I felt: here I am in the heart of my church, here I am at my destination of my pilgrimage, here is my home. Happyness overfelt me when I sank down on my knees and praised the lord...I stood there until fthe end of the prayer, always watsching the dove..

Das wird mir sowas von unvergessen bleiben, dieses Gefühl, das mir den Atem stocken und die Augen nass werden ließ.....WOW

It was so unforgettable, made me break off breath and my eyes wet...WOW.

Baldachine from Bernini



...grave of St Peter



Ceiling

Great pictures! Thank you. It is difficult to take pictures, cos it's rather dark inside.
It is typical play of light and shadow... Baroque is all about it, to create an illusion. I must admit, I don't like it. It is too much. Like everything is moving around me. I prefer gothic cathedrals with their painted glass windows. Or very dark romanesque churches. But I am crazy, don't take me serious. Each church has its special atmosphere. Well, I think if I say "I like churches a'la Sta. Maria in Trastevere", that's the best explanation of what I am talking about.

here's one from exterior I believe sword means that it is statue of St. Paul

And one from interior


Do you know by any chance who is it?

Its Pius XII. I guess....