During my October 2014 trip to Italy, St. Peter's became alomost a daily sight at different times of the day, since I often took the bus home at a bus stop nearby.
The big difference, the crowds, don't get me wrong the area is always full of tourists, but the lines at were always long every day at all different hours.
Today (3/1/16) I noticed the increased security, armed soldiers, mutiple check points.

Just a little taste of what I'm experiencing right now. I'm sitting at a small park surrounded by olive trees, there's a guy playing the harp, the sun is shinning, it's a gorgeous day, and from here you can see the beautiful Tuscan countryside.

It is said that Saint Peter in Chains is located in the spot where Saint Peter was condemned to death during Nero's ruling. Built around 442 it houses the relics of the chains that bound St. Peter when he was in prison in Jerusalem and another set of chains that held him while imprisoned in Rome. I learned while I was here that both sets of chains were placed together they miraculously united. The church also houses another one of Michelangelo's masterpieces, The Moses.
Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is another one of those hidden gems in Rome. Here is were Saint Catherine of Siena is buried, or I should say where her body "senza testa" is buried, because her head is a relic at her homonymous church in Siena. The church gets it's name because it is built in 1280 over the ancient Roman temple dedicated to Minerva. Located near the Pantheon, don't let it simple facade fool you, and don't get distracted by the elephant sculpture in the piazza.  Inside you will find, Michelangelo's The Redeemer, and many frescoes by Fillipo Lippi.

The image of the Christ Pantocrator (Christ Allmighty , Christ All-Powerful, or Christ Ruler of All) is a very iconic one that shepherds over many cathedrals, basilicas and churches with Byzantine art. The Pantocrator holds the New Testament on his left hand and is right hand is held in a blessing position. 
Most of the ones I've seen are usually at the main apse displayed as a half dome above the altar, but I've also seen some circular ones. Regardless of the shape these images created in mosaics will take your breath away. So far my favorite one is the Pantocrator at the Cathedral in Cefalú, Sicily, a close up of which is seen above. I like it for two reasons: the cathedral itself is very simple so this image really captures you, and also because it is an image where Christ looks most human.
I hope you enjoy these images...

Since tomorrow is Easter, I thought I share with you some of the Easter Eggs you can find in Italy, beautiful confections that put  peeps and other commercially produced Easter candies to shame.

Today I visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore, it was built in 432 by Pope Sisto III, and it's the oldest and largest Basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary. There's a museum and archeological sites that can be visited. The Basilica holds the remains of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and as part of the Loggia tour you can admire the Bernini staircase,  a helical staircase that will make your head spin! Also you can closely admire the mosaics in the loggia, which are the work of Filippo Rusuti and the center of the mosaics display an image of the Cristo Pantocrator. The museum holds relics from the Holy Crib, the Holy Cross, as well as from Christ Crown of Thorns. 
Entrance to the Basilica is free, but if you want to tour the Loggia, the Archeological site and the Museum it will cost you 11 euros. There are separate tickets for each area in case you don't want to do all three.

From Roma Termini Bus H takes you to Trastevere (past the Tevere), this is a neighborhood that I've never visited and another rainy day was not going to stop my plans. My goal to day was to visit two basilicas; Santa Maria in Trastevere and Basilica San Paolo.
Santa Maria is the oldest basilica in Rome, dating back to 221, and it was rebuilt by Pope Innocent II in the 12th Century. Well the Pope didn't actually rebuilt the church but you get what I mean. In 1870 the Basilica underwent another renovation by Pope Pius IX. The basilica is decorated by beautiful mosaics and frescoes. 

Today I decided to join a crowd of 100+ thousand people to listen to Pope Francesco I first Angelus. I have to say it was a refreshing experience. This guy approaches the crowd like he's been your parish priest forever, starts with a brief sermon, he can tell off the cuff jokes, and then go on with the Angelus. Very casual, very down to earth, honestly I like him! I read today that after the mass this morning at St. Peter's, which he delivered at one of it's smaller chapels, he stood by the door and greeted all the people that attended mass as they exited the church, really I don't think any other Pope has ever done that. That's what your local parish priest does after Sunday mass. So in my book he is off to a good start, but I don't expect him to change the world, or be Pro-Choice, and support Gay Rights anytime during his papacy, but who knows he may have a few surprises under his sleeve.

Yesterday my travels took me to Bologna, once I got there I was greeted by a bus strike which meant that I had to walk from the train station to the city center in the rain.

Its amazing how time flies when you don't want it too, I've been exploring this wonderful country for the last month.
The days have been filled with beautiful sights, wonderful images, sculptures and paintings, and awesome food & wine!
I've expanded my knowledge of Giotto, and satisfied a curiosity about his work which was born when I visited the Scrovegni Chapel last year. My eyes were opened to the works of Fra Bartolomeo, Fra Lippi, and Cimabue to name a few. I have explored every corner of the Uffizi and Museo San Marco.
I've learned that the train system sometimes is not as perfect as I thought it was, and I'm not taking about the unexpected strikes in Italy. The bus system can be a little tricky if you don't know where you are going. I have validated what I've know all along: "I suck at reading maps"! , so thank God for the little blue dot on my google maps app that tells me where I want to go and if I'm going the right way.