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Our Blogger: Wanda

Rome celebrates the 29 June of every year the feast of its patrons Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Special ceremonies are organized in all the churches of the city, especially in those entitled to the Principles of the Apostles.

According to the tradition both saints were confined in the Mamertine Prison (pictured above), in the skirts of the capitol, a place that still exists and can be visited. There St. Peter succeeded in converting the guards and baptized them, and when he realized there was no water, he hit the ground where a fountain magically appeared.

St. Peter was brought to the ancient Neronian Circus located on the area where St.Peter’s square is now. He was crucified there with his head down to the ground.

St. Paul instead was conducted "to aquas salvias", in the actual area of the Three Fountains, on the Laurentina Street, to be beheaded; the story goes that his head bounced three times, creating every time a fountain: one of hot water, one of warm water and finally one with cold water.

On June 29th solemn rites are celebrated and, many of the dedicated to St. Peter. An interesting tradition is to kiss the feet of the great bronze statue of St. Pietro placed in the central aisle St.Peter’s basilica.

As commemoration of the party of the Roman patrons there’s as well a procession on which the chains of St. Paul are brought: they are preserved near the basilica ostiense and consists of 14 iron rings.

To enjoy many other Roman traditions, stay at Hotel Des Artistes or Yes Hotel in Rome. Both will offer you all the comfort you need in the heart of the Eternal City.

This church houses what are supposed to be the chains of Saint Peter, which were used in his imprisonment in Judea and Rome. The miracle of the chains is supposed to have happened in the following way. The wife of the emperor at the time had the chains brought from Judea to Rome. Then both sets of chains miraculously interlinked themselves to each other.

They can be seen in the church underneath the alter. Another remarkable piece of art is the sculpture of Moses which was sculpted by Michelangelo. The sculpture was originally for the funeral monument of one of the popes, which was supposed to have been placed in the middle of St Peters Basilica. However Michelangelo only ever got to finish one side of what was supposed to be an enormous tomb.

Other interesting features are the fresco on the wall of St Sabastiano and the tombstone situated in the wall on the left side of the entrance. When you are in the church please try to be quiet or you will be treated to the care taker coming out and shooooooooing everybody into silence