Had the most amazing day today.

First of all, a lazy bit of early morning.
Rang you, Mum.
Bonus to find you there as well, Daryl.
Then I caught up with Emily.
She was just catching the train back to Geelong after dinner in the city.
Hi Emily!

So ... what to do today.
I had walked past that very big church every day on my way to The Colosseum.
So I decided to explore that.
Off I went, down the long avenue of trees with the huge ruins of an old wall on my left.
People dog walking, jogging, drinking coffee ...

On to the St John Lateran Basilica.
Wow!
It really looks nearly as big as St Peters.

I wandered about inside for a bit and then found the souvenir shop. I was able to find a book/ brochure on the place and sat down in a very comfy pew for a read.

Now, I am a little lost without the Internet to investigate things so this is what I learnt from the brochure.

Ready?
It's amazing!

The Sacrosanct and Patriarchal Lateran Archbasilica is the Roman Pontifical Cathedral, and also a mother church, but above all it was the first building of public worship erected in Rome and in the entire Christian world: a model for all that followed.

As the cathedral of the Bishop of Rome, it ranks above all other churches in the Catholic Church, including St. Peter's Basilica. For that reason, unlike all other Roman Basilicas, it holds the title of Archbasilica.
It is the cathedral church of the Diocese of Rome and the official ecclesiastical seat of the Bishop of Rome, who is the Pope.
The official dedication of the Basilica and the adjacent Lateran Palace was presided over by Pope Sylvester I in 324.

( Can I find places to visit or what?)

How amazing is that?

The first building of worship in the entire Christian world!
And, it is fascinating.
I spent 3 hours in here.
I was only in St Peter's for an hour.

This used to be the main church.
The Popes resided here.
Kings were crowned here.
This was the church pilgrims came to.

I did an audio tour and it was brilliant.
There is a Cloister, with a well in the centre dating back to 900AD.
So many relics.

Then I read about The Holy Staircase.

The Holy Stairs are a set of 28 white marble steps located within a building in southeast Rome under the management of the Vatican.
The steps, long encased in a protective framework of wooden steps, are located in a building that incorporates part of the old Lateran Palace. The stairs lead to the Sancta Sanctorum (English: Holy of Holies), the personal chapel of the early Popes known as the chapel of St. Lawrence.

According to the Catholic tradition, they are the steps leading up to the praetorium of Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem on which Jesus Christ stepped on his way to trial during the events known as the Passion.
The stairs were, reputedly, brought to Rome by St. Helena in the fourth century.
For centuries, the Scala Santa has attracted Christian pilgrims who wish to honor the Passion of Jesus.
This staircase may only be ascended on your knees.

So I asked directions and The Staircase was in a building directly across the road.
And as it would close between 12 and 2pm, I left the church for a while and headed over there.

You walk in the double doorway and directly in front of you is The Staircase.
Walls on both sides and the stairs ascending.
While I was there, 50 or 60 people were going up these stairs on their knees.
It was an amazing sight.
No one comes down.
They only go up.
And people are obviously praying as they make their way very slowly up.

There were so many people/tourists watching the people on the stairs.
I felt we were intruding and shouldn't really have been there.
But people were taking videos, flash photos.
I knew I shouldn't but I did take one photo.
It was just such an amazing sight.
I think, to the people on the stairs, it was such a religious experience that they wouldn't have seen anything else.
I hope so anyway.

There were two other sets of stairs, one on the right and one on the left.
You were allowed to walk up these and view the Chapel.
Quite small but very ornate.
Pretty.

Had some lunch at a little cafe across the road.
Sat at a table outside and watched the passing traffic.
Very busy intersection.
Cars going everywhere, tooting.... Lots of tooting.

OK back to the church.
And then the walk home.

Had a bit of a read and then realised that I needed food for tea.
Didn't really want to head out and walk anymore but I knew I would be hungry later.
So off I went again.
Back up that tree lined walkway with the huge old stone wall and ruins on my left.
Walking directly back towards the Arch basilica.
I'm headed to the lovely little cafe 3/4 of the way along the walkway.
The area next to the big old wall is a huge 'off lead' area for dogs.
And there are lots of people and dogs enjoying a walk.

Bought a roll and some snacks and a Red Bull.
Boy, did that help!
Sat in the shade of the trees at this little cafe.
Had a ham and salad roll.
It was lovely.
Went down a treat.
And a peanut type snack bar ... Delicious.
Went back and bought 4 more for the plane.
Funny conversation with the man at the counter.
Four?
Yep.
Four.
And another Red Bull.
And another roll.
Walked back to the hotel with a definite spring in my step.

Then sorted out the case etc.
Rang and confirmed the bus to the airport.

All ready really.

I have had the most amazing trip!
Met so many wonderful people.
And been to so many incredible places.

I am so glad that I have done this blog.
I was looking back through it the other day
and it was incredible the things that I needed to be reminded about!

I have loved it.
I think I may be a lot fitter than when I left.

I can't wait to get home now!
See you all soon.

Xxx