G is for Grandeur

There is only one scene that flashes in my mind when I think of grandeur. That view will remain forever etched in my memory, one that I will carry to my grave. It was breath taking, awe inspiring and even had the agnostic me believe in God for a moment. The only other time that I have felt that way was when I saw my little girl for the first time.

Source: Wikipedia

The St. Peter’s basilica. There was something about the moment that I stepped into the place. Maybe it was the light streaming through the dome or just the sheer size, the grandeur of it all. I felt light headed, like I was in heaven. I thought it was also rather symbolic to feel dwarfed in this magnificent architectural marvel. Check out the picture, look at how tiny the human beings look! We all are tiny aren’t we? Well, that's another philosophical discussion altogether, sometime later perhaps.

The Vatican skyline sports the iconic white dome, but don’t let it deceive you. For, inside the basilica it is another world altogether. I couldn’t get my head around how something could be so huge, yet so ornate. The architectural splendour, the finesse of every small detail was mind blowing. And to have done this centuries back! Phew!

If you haven’t already been to the basilica, you must. Everything else about the Vatican City is indeed grand, but this one is ethereal!