Euroclub Schools - Michelangelo's Dome

The never-ending staircase
by Claudia

When I visited St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, it was a very hot day in August, so it was nice to go into the cool air of the huge church. In fact, it is the largest church in the world!

The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is very big and high. It was designed by Michelangelo. I thought I would just be looking up at the dome from ground level. But no! Instead, I discovered that there is a hidden staircase that takes you all the way up to the top. So, I decided to go!

(A view of the dome, from inside, looking up.)

A man asked if I wanted to take the lift. I replied 'No, grazie' because I've always been a very fast runner and good at sport. So I ignored the lift and started to sprint up the winding staircase.

'This is easy,' I thought. I kept climbing and climbing, going round in circles.

I started to feel dizzy and tired, so I slowed down.

Luckily, the stairs came to an end! Yippi! 'Sono arrivata!' (I've arrived!)

But no! Unfortunately, this was just a half-way point.

The stairs continued.......and this time they became narrower and narrower. The ceiling became lower and lower. I had to bend over and keep my body squeezed in. There was hardly any room!

I know it sounds exaggerated but I couldn't breathe! There didn't seem to be enough air. No wonder that everywhere there are security cameras and emergency buttons.
I thought that I might have to press a button and be rescued. I was feeling very faint. 'Mamma mia!'

I carried on up the never-ending stairs.

Oh no! Unbelievable! Non è possibile! Now the stairs were curving in the shape of the dome.
I was bent to one side, crouched AND squeezed in.
'Surely it won't get any more uncomfortable than this,' I thought. But, I was wrong.

Mamma mia! The final part was the scariest! Here, there is an extremely narrow staircase and a rope to help pull your body up.
I pretended to be a mountain climber.

'Will this staircase ever end?' I asked myself. I started to lose hope. What was going to happen next?

Finalmente!!! At last!!!!!!! The bright sunshine filled the air. My hard work was rewarded! The view from the balcony at the top of the dome was fantastic. It felt as though I was flying!

All around I could see the city of Rome.

(Above: view from the dome. Photo by David Iliff.
Source: Wikimedia commons.)

When I looked down below, I realised how high up I was because the people on the ground looked small, like ants, and my legs started to tremble through fear of the height.

And here is an interesting fact: Did you know that when you are standing at the top of the dome you are actually standing directly above the tomb of Saint Peter? Wow!

The dome was deliberately built directly above the main altar. Beneath the main altar is Saint Peter's tomb.

In other words - Michelangelo's dome marks the important spot!

In my opinion, the stairs of St. Peter's dome are very exciting because they lead you to a very special place and a fantastic view. They also provide very good exercise. I can strongly recommend them to anyone who wants to keep fit.