St. Paul is the last stop on a short tour of the U.S. for the
Vatican Splendors.Expectations were high as we inched toward the timed entry point. Promises of Michelangelo artifacts, papal mitres and venerated relics drew us through the darkened maze.
"Exhibition designers want visitors to feel transported to the Vatican, from the underground catacombs where the remains of Saint Peter were discovered to the magnificent papal chambers found above ground," according to the website. Had I viewed the site before attending, I would been more forgiving of the dim lighting and sketchy details that accompanied some of the displays.
One of the highlights (I thought) was the Tiara of Pope Pius VII.
THE BEST OF THE STORY: The tiara was presented to the pope in 1804 by Napoleon to mark his wedding to Josephine. Some of the jewels and decoration for the multi-tiered tiara came from earlier tiaras that were smashed and stolen by French troops in 1798.
Ever attempting to compensate for his short stature Napoleon used this occasion to let the pope know who was really in charge - the tiara was deliberately made too small, and at 18 pounds too heavy, for the pope to wear.
