Welcome to the land of Italy

1. Welcome to the land of Italy Flag of italy Map of italy Next

2. Let us travel to the Tourist spots in Italy Let’s start to Vatican city Let's move to St.Peter’s basilica Let’s visit The leaning tower Let’s Continue to Monte Nuevo Let’s go to Capua and Santa Let’s move to The Sistine chapel Let’s get to The  abbey of montecassinoLet’s visit to Vatican museum

3. Leaning Tower So this is the famous leaning tower of Pisa.When I first saw it I was impressed by its inclination. Looking around I realised that I was standing at one of the most beautiful squares in the world. This square is considered to be the most ambitious monument of the Tuscan Romanesque. If you ever happen to be close to Pisa in winter or early spring you have to visit this square, the 'Piazza dei Miracoli' as they call it here. Go there early in the morning and taste this 'Miracolo'! Back

4. Vatican city Within the city limits of Rome lies Vatican City, also known as the Holy See. It is owned by the Roman Catholic Church and is a separate country under the rule of Pope John Paul II Next

5. Next

6. The chapel is used by the College of Cardinals when a new Pope is to be elected. A Pope is elected for life, so this is an infrequent occurrence. Cardinals gather here from around the world and are isolated from any outside influences. Once per day, they send up smoke to tell of the progress in the election process. Black smoke means that there has been no new Pope chosen. White smoke indicates that they have made a unanimous decision and the announcement, "Il Papa",was made Next

7. A Brief History of the Vatican City Originally, the official residence of the bishops of Rome was not the Vatican, but the Lateran Palace, which once belonged to the Roman family of the Lateran, and was donated to the Roman Church.  St. Peter's was then an out of the way basilica reserved for burials.  The first to build at the Vatican was Pope Symmachus in 501.  He built two episcopal residences at the sides of the basilica.  In 781 Charlemagne altered, for his own use, a palace standing to the north of the basilica.  Eugene III built a "new palace", which Innocent III enlarged and enclosed within turreted walls.      Nicholas III was the first pope to adopt the Vatican as his permanent residence.  For this reason he began, but did not complete, a fortified residence with angle towers, built around the present Court of the Pappagallo.  He also built a defensive wall, reinforced by battlements and towers, which probably extended to the north as far as the Mount of St. Egidius, where two centuries later Innocent VIII was to build his Belvedere Palace.  Next

8. St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museum. The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo. The scenes begin with the creation of the world and end with the story of Noah and the flood. The back wall tells the story of the Last Judgement. Back

9. St.Peter’s Basilica  The Basilica of St. Peter is traditionally believed to have been erected over the spot where St. Peter was buried after his martyrdom in Rome around 64 CE. That he was indeed martyred, that it took place in Rome, and where it took place, remain controversial questions. Some scholars support the tradition that St. Peter was buried Ad Catacumbas (i.e. at the catacombs of San Sebastiano) on the Via Appia. Next

10. The Basilica also houses a collection of sacred artwork, most notably, Michelangelo's Pieta. This is the altar where the Pope celebrates daily Mass. Back

11. Monte Nuevo Monte Nuovo is situated near the center of the area known as the Phlegrean Fields. The cone was formed in less than a week during a violent eruption that occurred in late September and early October 1538.  Due to the composition of cone, it is known as a cinder cone (ash cone). Above is a panoramic photo taken from the top of the crater  That allows you to look down into the mouth of this extinct volcano. Back

12. Capua and Santamariacapua Vettere Capua is located on a bend of the Volturno river in the Campania region.  It is a few kilometers north east of Naples.  From the center of Capua you would not know that the river is there as the town is not situated to take advantage of the natural scenery.  This sleepy little town does not have much to offer the average tourist, however it does provide a fascinating glimpse into the past. Next

13. Above (center) is a picture of the tunnels under the main floor of the amphitheater in Capua Vettere.  This is one of the most spectacular amphitheaters that you will find in Italy.  I was so impressed by it that I have dedicated three pages to it. On the left is a direct shot of the church at Santa's Angelo in Formis.  This church is a fine example of a medieval basilica. Next

14. On the right is marble likeness of the head of Apollo.  It is just one of thousands of pieces being preserved at the Campano Museum in Modern Capua.  The most interesting items on display are the Capua Mothers; a collection of votive statues that predate Christianity.  An excellent example of the reuse of things from the past.  This keystone was once the center of an arch at the amphitheater in Capua Vettere.  Back

15. The Sistine chapel The Sistine Chapel was built between 1475 and 1483, in the time of Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere. Its basic feature is the papal function, as the pope's chapel and the location of the elections of new popes. It was consecrated and dedicated to the Assumption of the Virgin on 15th August 1483. The chapel has no architectural distinction, it is rectangular in shape and measures 40,93 meters long by 13,41 meters wide, i.e. the exact dimensions of the Temple of Solomon, as given in the Old Testament. It is 20,70 meters high and is roofed by a flattened barrel vault, with six tall windows cut into the long sides, forming a series of pendentives between them. Back

16. The  Abbey ofMontecassino This sketch of the monastery was most likely done in the 18th century. About 50 km south of Rome is the city of Cassino.  On the mountain overlooking the city stands the Abbey of Montecassino which symbolizes the endurance and resilience of the Christian faith.  This abbey is of special importance because it has been destroyed and rebuilt on four separate occasions, the most recent was in 1944 near the end of W.W.II.     The view from the top of the mountain is spectacular.  Unfortunately, on the day of our visit the weather was not cooperative, so there are no pictures of the beautiful view.  Next

17. The Monte cassino Monastery was founded by St. Benedict about 529 A.D. on the remnants of a pre-existing Roman fortification of the Municipum Casinum.  The heathen cult was still practiced on this mountain site in the temple of Apollo and in a nearby holy grove to which a sacrifice area was adjoining.     Montecassino became famous for the prodigious life and the Sepulcher of its founder.  Through the ages, the abbey was looked upon as a place of holiness, culture and art for which it became renowned on a world-wide level.      Around 577, the monastery was destroyed by the Longobards of Zotone, Duke of Beneventum, but early in the eighth century Pope Gregory II commissioned the Brescian Petronace to rebuild the monastery.     In 883, the Saracens invaded and sacked the Monastery and burnt it down, causing the death of Bertarius its saint Abbot, Founder of medieval Cassino.  The surviving monks first fled to Teano and later to Capua.  Monastic life was only fully resumed towards the middle of the tenth century, thanks to Abbot Aligerno. Historical outline Back

18. Vatican museum Here we begin the tour of the Vatican Museums.   I seem to be starting a trend here.  That is, I find myself wanting to say that we just didn't have enough time to see everything.  But we expected that at the Vatican Museums.   The collections of the Vatican are overwhelming.  There is something fascinating to be found with every step that you will take.     In the photo below you can see the new entrance to the Vatican Museums located on the Viale Vatican Next

19. Gallery ofthe Candelabra(Roman Sculpture) The Map Room Next

20. Thank you viewers Hope you enjoy our presentation? This Presentation is developed by: Sangeetha.L Sangeetha.C Vivek.G Kaliraj.G Kumar.R Back