This church was not on any of the tourist maps, and was only fleetingly mentioned in each of the guides, so we really had no idea to get there or even where it was. Shep messaged home, and came up with an adress which we eventually found (over a gelato) on the map, and we set off for this place.
We got off at the station and walked down the Via del Corso, a bustling city street where road rules and right of way are terms that dont seem very familiar to these people! After winding through a series of tiny back streets and laneways, we eventually were around the corner from Piazza del St Ignazio.
Now because this church was not easily found in the guides and stuff, we expected a tiny chapel which we were happy with. We turned the corner, and i think that our jaws simply dropped in unison. Rising out of the square was a huge front of a church that rose at least 35 metres into the air. It was so big, that it was impossible to fit the whole thing in one photo. We couldnt believe it, and we hadnt even gone inside yet. We all skipped through the door and iwe suddenly realised that the exterior was nothing. Inside this huge building was the most beautifully decorated and painted ceiling and walls i have ever seen. The frescoes were absolutely breathtaking. For me, this was far more impressive than the Sistine chapel. It was incredible. The cupola was supposed to be built with the church but they ran out of money and the artist painted in a cupola on a flat surface so that when you stand in the middle of the church everything in the church is in perfect perspective, and it looks at least twice as big as it is, complete with a complete cupola, rising out the top of the church, haha, or so it appears.
It was just the most incredible sight.
We couldnt believe this. We all wondered why we hadnt known about this and why it wasnt learnt about in our school. This was one of the most impressive buildings i had ever seen. The decoration was so lavish and luxurious, with the most beautiful stained glass windows and statues and pillars you have ever seen. It was absolutely magnificent. I just simply could believe i had never heard of this before, it was so glorious.
But as i said, we had come for a reason, and even though i had never seen the fellas so quiet, respectful, and solemn, we needed to break the photo taking session and find someone who worked there. I found some preists, and soon realised they were from Germany. Besides some good german practise f�r mich, that was a dead end. We were about to find a quiet spot, and do a little prayer service, which was not what we really wanted to do, but would have to suffice for now. Just as we were talking this over, a really tall black man dressed in a pimpin outfit, letting off a huge 'Mr. T' from the A-Team vibe walked up to the microphone and let off a huge 'shhh'. Watto looked at me and said: I bet he works here. I said i didnt think so. But he went over regardless and asked him. Within five minutes, we were being whisked back to the sacristy by Mike Tyson, and were told to wait. He told us someone was coming who spoke good english and could speak to us better. We thanked him and waited.