It is not certain whether the view is the brainchild of Giovanni Battista Piranesi, one of the most famous engravers and architects of his time, who in 1765 built the monumental portal and redesigned Piazza Cavalieri di Malta as we see it today.
It is hard to imagine that this was pure coincidence.
What is certain is that before Piranesi’s intervention two rows of trees already framed the dome like a picture.
It was Piranesi who had the trees replaced with laurel, which creates the effect called ‘telescope’.
In fact, if you walk from the gateway toward the dome, it will move away instead of closer.
From the Gospel of Luke (Lk 24:13-35)
13 That very day two of them were going to a village named Emmaus, about seven miles[d] from Jerusalem, 14 and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. 15 While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation which you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since this happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning 23 and did not find his body; and they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said; but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish men, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
28 So they drew near to the village to which they were going. He appeared to be going further, 29 but they constrained him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is now far spent.” So he went in to stay with them. 30 When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said to each other, “Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures?” 33 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 who said, “The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.
...“Did not our hearts burn within us...”. The disciples of Emmaus walk alongside Jesus, sensing something inside them but unable to decipher this state of mind, and only after Jesus breaks the bread before them are overwhelmed by this great astonishment that restores their energy and hope, even to the point of giving them the impetus to set out again, to go all the way back to Jerusalem.
Draw a keyhole on a piece of paper and cut it out, then with this observe what you see around you and describe what strikes you most and why.
In light of what has been read, experienced, reflected upon, shared... insert words here that summarize the experience.
A journey that knows how to make a pilgrimage to the Jubilee of Young people, from 28 July to 3 August 2025, with a rich program and an experience proposed by the Branca R/S for all young people and their communities of reference: Tracce di Speranza (Traces of Hope).
traccedisperanza.agesci.it available to all, born in the Jubilee Year!