Yes, living in Rome means I get to see these things often which is lucky for me, as I almost always see something new! I agree it can be overwhelming to visit these sites. This is one reason i try ti just share a little at a time in hopes people find it more interesting that way! Thanks for your kind words. Glad you enjoyed the video!

I think I've seen some of the removed canvas paintings inside Santa Maria Degli Angeli at dei Martiri. They were rolled up on the floor a few years ago. Probably up on the walls by now.

So glad you enjoyed it Peter! I'm happy if you learned something new - that's one of my goals! I love sharing all these wonderful things :)

Thanks for watching! Glad you enjoyed it!

Thank you so much for your kind comments. Yes there are so many wonderful things to see inside Saint Peter's basilica including the beautiful sculpture of Veronica and her veil. And yes, the actual veil is brought out for the public to see on her feast day. Thanks again for watching!

Glad you like them!

Thanks so much for your kind words. I especially appreciate them since you are a seasoned traveler. I'm glad I could share something new with you! Thanks again for following and for your feedback.

Very true! It's a constant discovery!

Thanks for letting me know! I hope you enjoy your visit!

Ahhh thank you so much!!!

Awww thank you so much!!

Yes, they are amazing places to visit! You may be interested to read this official website of the Vatican about the mosaics: www.basilicasanpietro.va/en/saint-peters/the-mosaic-studio.html

@@Romewise thank you very much! 👏

@@goodrich06 My pleasure!

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for watching.

@@Romewise No, thank you! I've watched a few videos and found some very interesting tips and ideas I've not seen elsewhere yet.

Thanks so much for noticing! I work hard to make original content that I hope people find interesting and I really appreciate you letting me know you enjoy my videos!@@AndyAdventuring

Thanks so much! I hope you enjoy these tours. There is a lot to see. Let us know if you find all the gems in this video!

Hope you enjoy!

Thank you so much Zoey!!

Thank you so much as always!

Thank you! That was my aim - to share things not everyone knows about. I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

Thanks so much! I'm glad you found the video interesting :)

Thank you so much for watching. I'm glad you find my videos helpful. I have a whole page about visiting Pompeii here: www.romewise.com/pompeii-from-rome.html

Thanks so much for letting me know you find the video useful! I hope you have a wonderful visit in October!

Thank you for your comments. I'm glad you enjoy my videos! Have a great visit!

The basement of Saint Peter's Basilica is where the so-called Vatican Grottoes are located. This is where many popes are buried. You can easily visit it from the main level of the basilica. There is a staircase just behind Bernini's baldachino (canopy). It's free to visit the grottoes and it's easy - the space is large and not claustrophobic. When you are down there, you can see remnants of the original Constantinian basilica.

Thank you! Yes, you are right, those doors are amazing. I am not sure what you are talking about regarding St. Peter's dome. Maybe they are doing some maintenance on it. There is alot of work in Rome this year to prepare for the Jubilee in 2025.

I'm afraid so much of what was once important in Ancient Rome has been re-used as something else as "spolia". Even parts of the Colosseum were used to make many churches in Rome including Saint Peter's Basilica, On the other hand, at least it was not lost for good, as you pointed out, so having a use for it meant it was preserved. The best example of this is the Pantheon, which was turned into a church in 609, which meant that it was no longer pilfered and further dismantled. Anyway thank you for watching my video and for your kind words!

​​​@@Romewise Another great video Elyssa! Something I dont think a lot of people have a sufficient appreciation of about Rome is about how unpopulated it was during the "dark" and middle ages. Century after century of it being nearly empty, I hear maybe 40-50,000 people. Not to say that all of the various baths and other great sites being broken down was a good thing, but, after generations of complete disuse, if I were a poor Roman and I had to fix my little home, I suppose Id head on down to the ruins of the Baths of Caracalla (for instance) and pick up a few things to patch the roof or rebuild a wall....like Home Depot....but free! Anyways, hoping and praying to get back to Rome this December. Was there last over 30 years ago when I was a teenager. Your videos have been great!

@@andrewrolwes6034 Thanks so much for your comments. Yes you are right, Rome was really dismal in those days. There were moments in time during the early Middle Ages when there were fewer than 1,000 people here! I highly recommend an excellent podcast, The History of Rome, by the historian Mike Duncan: thehistoryofrome.typepad.com/the_history_of_rome/ He really goes in-depth in his descriptions. Anyway, as you say, a lot of how people lived in those early days after the fall of the Western Roman Empire was simply by trying to survive. Thriving was barely an option. So I do understand their complete lack of interest in preserving old monuments and buildings! I hope you'll make it back to Rome soon. Thanks again for watching and for your comments!

At this point it's hard to say. If you are here on a weekend, you can still expect ling lines. And sometimes there is simply a very small line, but at other times, times when I would not expect a line, like 3pm on a Tuesday in early February, there can be a huge line! But overall, early February is quieter than other times of the year in Rome, so you should not have to wait too long in line. Have a great visit!

Thank you! I am glad you find my videos helpful. Here's everything you need to know about visiting the Vatican, including the official websites: www.romewise.com/visiting-the-vatican.html

In Sept you can walk right in to St Peters, Pieta on right and several Elyssa tips in this video. MUST See ancient ruins go down street and walk up equally interesting Capitoline Steps and be blown away. Many of Elyssa's guides are the "unknowns" with less crowds. We did a guided bike tour from other side of Colosseum, best thing I ever did. Pantheon and Spanish Steps a must. Enjoy! Florence Uffizi is amazing and great Gelato place under Uffizi on right. Pitti Palace and if time permits Siena :-)

Thanks a lot for your lovely answer @Godlvr008!

You can take the shortcut from the Sistine Chapel into the basilica. That will save you a lot of time. I have alot of tips here on this channel, plus many more on my website. Links are in the description of this video. Have a wonderful trip!

Ah you are right, I didn't specifically say that. Yes, the importance of the disc is that it's where Charlemagne knelt as he was crowned emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. As I mentioned, from antiquity through the Renaissance, porphyry was only used for very important people, so it would have been a perfect sport for Charlemagne to kneel as he was being crowned by the pope. The reason it's at the entrance to Saint Peter's Basilica now is specifically so that everyone can walk on it - it's meant to symbolize that the church is for everyone.