After the Concordat was signed in 1929 between Mussolini and Pope Pius XI, Via della Conciliazione was created to link up the capital of the Italian State with the Vatican State.To make this street, the ancient Spina di Borgo was detroyed.The destruction carried out to create the new street, an expression of pre-war rationalization, has never ceased to be the cause of controversy.
In any case, it must be said that its creation did solve one problem: the street opened up the view of St. Peter's Dome which had been taken away when Carlo Maderno lengthened the nave of the basilica and covered it up with the façade.
From a distance, in Via della Conciliazione you can see the whole Basilica and dome but it is not until you are actually at the end of the street that the extraordinary St Peter's Square opens in front of you.
This piazza, the basilica and the whole area inside the Leonine walls make up the Vatican City, capital of the world's smallest independent state.
The Vatican has the Pope as its sovereign ruler and has its own administrative bodies and gendarmes. The Swiss Guards, founded in 1527, are responsible for the Pope's protection and guard the access points.

St. Peter's Basilica (Italian San Pietro in Vaticano) is a major basilica in Vatican City, an enclave of Rome. It remains one of the holiest sites in Christendom.

Ancient tradition has it that St. Peter's Basilica was built at the place where Peter, the apostle who is considered the first pope, was crucified and buried; his tomb is under the main altar.

After ten years of living in Italy, finally, this year, I was able to visit Rome(thanks to a wonderful and a very loving person). A very beautiful city and lots of historical places to visit that for sure would leave you in awe. Two things that has attracted me in Rome is there pizza, its crust is very thin and crunchy and has fresh toppings cut very finely and most of all, is the slush coffee with whipped cream on top and under..hmmm! mamma mia! che buona!!! ..really delicious!!!..Ooops!.sorry, im talking about food again..lol!

Anyway, I'll take you with me and let you see what we have visited in Rome so fasten your seatbelt...hehehe!

First destination is Trevi's Fountain or Fontana di Trevi

This is the most imposing, scenographic and artistically worthy of all fountains not only in Rome. When, at the beginning of 1730, Pope Clemente XII decided to substitute the beautiful fountian designed by Leon Battista Alberti in 1453 with one of imposing majesty, he invited the best artists of that time to present their projects. Nicola Salvi was chosen and work was begun in 1735 and concluded under the papacy of Clamente VIII Rezzonico. The fountain was inaugurated on the 22nd May 176. It covers the whole of one side of Piazza Poli being 20 metres wide and 26 metres high. The Coat-of-arms of Clemente XII carved by Paolo Benaglia is placed at the top, four statues by the sculptors Corsini, Ludovisi, Pincellotti and Queirolo symbolise the four seasons are on the balustrade. In the centre is a coach in the form of a shell pulled by two sea-horses driven by two tritons from which a majestic statue representing the Ocean emerges. The whole group was carved in marble by Pietro Bracci. To the side of the niches is the "Salubrity" on the right and "Abundance" on the left, both works by Filippo Valle. Above these two sculptures is a bas-relief by Giovan Battista Grossi and Andrea Bergondi, reminding one of the legend of Agrippa who approved the project of the aqueduct to that of the virgin who indicates the source to thirsty soldiers. The large basin built on street level symbolises the sea and it is here that tourists throw their coins to wish themselves a pleasant return to the Eternal City. Legend tells that, in order to block the view of work from an excessively critical barber, the architect Salvi placed a large and heavy travertine vase, ironically similar to a soap-dish, immediately in front of the barber's shop. The external left side holds the "Fountain of the Lovers", a simple rectangular basin which receives water from a small pipe.

Next visit will be Saint Angel's Castle so watch out!!!