Photographer's Note
They likely have a special name, but they are certainly a guard at the entrance under the St Peter Basilica.
Note from Wikipedia - after i heard their proper name.
Swiss Guards or Schweizergarde are the Swiss soldiers who have served as bodyguards, ceremonial guards, and palace guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century. Apart from household and guard units, regular Swiss mercenary regiments have served as line troops in various armies; notably those of France, Spain and Naples up to the 19th century. In contemporary usage, the name Swiss Guards generally refers to the Pontifical Swiss Guard of Vatican City.
Various units of Swiss Guards existed for hundreds of years. The earliest such unit was the Swiss Hundred Guard (Cent Suisses) at the French court (1497 – 1830). This small force was complemented in 1567 by a Swiss Guards regiment. The Papal Swiss Guard (now located in the Vatican City State), was founded in 1506 and is the only Swiss Guard that still exists. In the 18th and early 19th centuries several other Swiss Guards existed for periods in various European courts.
The use of Swiss soldiers as Royal guards and as the Pontifical guard stems from the reputation of Swiss mercenaries at the time of their formation. Since Switzerland was a poor country, young men often sought their fortunes abroad. Having a reputation for discipline and loyalty, and employing revolutionary battle tactics, they were considered the most powerful troops of the 15th century, until their methods were refined by the Landsknechte in the early 16th century.
mirosu has marked this note useful
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batalay
(41261) 2012-04-30 21:21
Hello Murray,
You took the photo that I wanted to take, to get a member of the Swiss Guard. Seriously, I was unable to get shot of these unique fellows. You must have enjoyed the Vatican Museum immensely, as I always do when I visit the Vatican.
Warm regards,
Bulent
pierrefonds
(114448) 2012-05-01 4:37
Hi Murray,
The guard is well placed in the frame. The point of view is showing the expression of the guard and the details and colors of his uniform. The name in french is "zouave". The good luminosity is bringing out the colors. Have a nice day.
Pierre
mirosu
(16313) 2012-05-11 5:31
Nice image, sharp with good details, well saturated colors and nice composition. Well done!!!
Photo Information
-
Copyright: Murray Lines (MLINES)
(12516)
- Genre: ÈËÎï
- Medium: ²ÊÉ«
- Date Taken: 2012-04-03
- Categories: ÈÕ³£Éú»î, Ceremony
- Camera: Canon IXUS 300 HS
- Exposure: f/5.3, 1/320 seconds
- More Photo Info: view
- Photo Version: Original Version
- Date Submitted: 2012-04-30 20:46