Rome: Vatican City





























































Serenity



Further to my last post.. Here are a few shots of the walk up to the Vatican City showing the beautiful hazy glow from the fading sun... The lamp lights in the first image are 'lit by sunlight' Thank you Mother Nature for your contribution!!! .. It really was a spectacular moment.  A moment filled with  awe and admiration for the grandeur and sheer scale of St Peter's and the surrounding architecture... A grandeur that achieves serenity,  rather than bedazzle and opulence..


Although I have seen this sight before, there was still a feeling of anticipation and expectation.. The lateness of the day and absence of crowds gave the square an almost abandoned quality... yet  something else had taken up residence.. The empty spaces were filled instead with an effervescent glow..  and I swear I could see nature come out to play with the statues atop the colonnades .. The tourists had gone and it was finally their time of day. Their time for play ..  to stretch their legs after hours of rigid duty.... My expectations were delighted!





'Angel With The Tassles'


Well.. I wanted to include another angel from Ponte Sant'Angelo.. and this guy looked so serene in his profile shot, sunlight tickling his feathers..  I thought he fit the bill.. Until I researched his name.. 'Angel With The Whips'... righty oh!!! and there I was thinking he was the 'Angel With The Tassles'... Too late to pick another angel from the pack.. This one was already suited up.






Have A Wonderful Week Everyone

And work up some anticipation for the weekend
your expectations just might be delighted!! 





IMAGE SOURCE & CREDITS:
ALL Text, Original Photography & Artwork [copyright beingRuby©]
Shots taken on the Ponte Sant'Angelo and St Peter's Square, Rome, August 2011


27 comments:

**Anne** said...

Such beautiful images. Thank you.
Anne xx

Splendid Sass said...

Oh wow, Julie, I know that this was moving! Such beautiful images. I love sculpture so much, and these are breathtaking!
Have a great week yourself, and thank you for sharing.
Teresa
xoxo

helen tilston said...

Hello Julie

The light is spectaular in these images and one can feel the peace radiate. I love your thought of the angels stretching their legs following the departure of the tourists!!! That so describes the scene.

Helen xx

Ann said...

Angel With The Tassels is pretty darn cute!

Did I ever show you the pic I took while sitting in a cafe in Siena? Our waiter was David reincarnated. We gasped when we saw him.

Sandi @the WhistleStop Cafe said...

Beautiful!
I've seen these before ~ but your photography is special!

cathypentonatelier said...

Your images just get better and better - BELLA!!!!!!!....Roma is such an amazing city....full of life and spirit...You are constantly an inspiration...I am going to buy myself a decent camera one of these days....Love to you Cathy xo

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh dear, you really capture the spirit and beauty of this empire that RULED almost the entire world!!!!!! LOOK at those structures and statues....fabulous! Anita

michelle said...

More stunning photos my friend. That first photo is absolutely breathtaking, as I am sure everything there is.
Enjoy your day!
xoxo

I Dream Of said...

Such a lovely day dream you just took me on -- soaking up the sunlight in Rome, admiring all the beauty around me! Gorgeous photos.

rjerdee said...

HEHEHEE, angel with whips...really nice whips, I'd say. However, I could see where they could hurt if flung about!

Thanks for another beautiful post, Julie...you take me away to another world, a magical world where only beauty and simplicity exist.

Jen Beaudet said...

HaHa! The angel had to spice things up a bit! Gorgeous shots, perfectly serene. Thanks for stopping by my blog...to answer your question, things are slowwww but I'm excited about my future. I'm going in a circle, back where I started and it's a good thing!:)

Ange said...

Haaaaaaaaaahaaaaaaaahaaaaaaa. Have you never heard of Opus Dei?? ;-) Angel with the tassles so close to the Vatican??? You do make me giggle dear Julie!! LOL. Say 20 hail Mary's and tassle yourself a bit ;-)

Stephanie @ La Dolce Vita said...

When gorgeous light and inspiring sights come together - wow! You captured such beauty, as always, and made it your own. Well done, friend!

June said...

Absolutely amazing to come over to your place and see such beauty Julie. I just feel something from the last two posts and I think I would describe the feeling as 'reverence'.

I think you know about my love of angels and the statues here are awe-inspiring. The light and angles in your photos make them a joy to view.

Julie I hope you are enjoying your spring-time. I am sure it is beautiful there.
sending hugs from here...

Loree said...

For some reason your pictures are not loading. I will come back to check them out. Can't wait to see today's angel.
PS yes I have always lived in Malta except for one year when I lived in St Louis.

Gypsea Nurse said...

As always.. beautiful.

Gloria said...

Julie! Bellísima Roma!!!! Y tus fotos espectaculares como siempre.... toda la monumentalidad y la belleza en tus ángeles!!!Besos, Gloria.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

THANK YOU JULIE for you kind words and visit!!!! Yes, teaching is exhausting but those sparkling moments really make it all worth it.

Anita

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

Oh Julie dear, thank you for your KIND comments last night! It is such a pleasure to have you visit me! AND I CANNOT get over the thrill of seeing your renditions of these top cities of the world...you really are an artist my dear...Anita

the old boathouse said...

Hello my friend, I hope you still think of me as a friend, i am such a bad commenter of late..he he. I am loving your posts and said hello to you via looking at the moon the other night...xxx Katherine

savvycityfarmer said...

just found you today via isa ...

how do I follow ...

love at first sight

Blondie's Journal said...

Breathtaking photos, Julie! Thankfully, Mother Nature was cooperatig with you. These are just lovely!

XO,
Jane

Lynne with an e said...

The angels, whips notwithstanding, are lovely; the fountain and water glisteningly soothing and exciting at the same time; but that first picture of the walkway and the lamps leading us right into the heart of the Vatican City captures the very essence of the place. The serenity, yes, and the quiet magnificence, imposing history, and incomparable reverence. Your pictures go right to the heart of the matter.

elena nuez said...

thanks so much for this awesome trip, those pictures are superb!!!

Angie Muresan said...

Absolutely breathtaking images. This post reminds me of a little story by Oscar Wilde, about the statue of a prince who comes to life each night.

Life love, clutter and other beautiful things. said...

playing catch up again!!! I love this post a roma and the VC lovely xox

soyq said...

Are you a Pro. Photographer? really nice image's Thanks for sharing this blog with australian attractions.