Kilts and visiting churches in Europe

**Joe Gondek** · 19th May 06, 12:54 PM

Let me know,If you get in
I'm planning a trip there next spring

**Rex_Tremende** · 19th May 06, 01:00 PM

Originally Posted by Joe Gondek

...but do the Swiss Guards Know that?

Some clown dressed
like this should say
whether a kilt is
in good taste??

Harrumph!

**macwilkin** · 19th May 06, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

Some clown dressed
like this should say
whether a kilt is
in good taste??

Harrumph!

I wouldn't call the Swiss Guards "clowns". The whole reason why the Swiss were chosen as the personal army of the Pope was because the Swiss, like the Scots, were well-known for their fighting abilities and served as mercenaries in a number of armies.

I'm not a fan of Wikipedia, but their article on the Swiss Guard does a pretty good job in summing up their history:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_Guard

Regards,

Todd

**Ruanaidh** · 19th May 06, 01:19 PM

Originally Posted by Rex_Tremende

Some clown dressed

like this should say
whether a kilt is
in good taste??

Harrumph!

Legend has it that their uniforms were designed by Michelangelo!

**Rex_Tremende** · 19th May 06, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

I wouldn't call the Swiss Guards "clowns".

I'm kidding, of course. I couldn't find the tongue-in-cheek smiley.

They are regal uniforms and I know they have a storied history.
Taken out of context, however, they do look a bit silly to me.

Regards,
Rex in Cincinnati

**TechBear** · 19th May 06, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by bangkok kilt

You should have no problem kilted in Europe at the churches. I was just in Barcalona a few months ago (right before my first kilt) and saw multiple people wearing kilts. Spain especially is used to large amounts of tourists from the UK. Valencia Kilted might have the best insight on Spain for you.

Barcelona is one of the places I'm particularly itching to see, and it would be a shame if I had to decide whether seeing the inside of that glorious cathedral would be worth wearing pants for the day. If I go that trip, I would be taking the train along the Med to Marseille and flying back from there. Another itinerary is Milan/Florence/Venice and, again, I don't want to have to choose between seeing the churches and being comfortable in August. Thanks, everyone, for your help.

**macwilkin** · 19th May 06, 01:35 PM

Originally Posted by Ruanaidh

Legend has it that their uniforms were designed by Michelangelo!

From the Wiki article quoted above:

common misconception is that the dress uniform was designed by Michelangelo. In fact, guard commander Jules Repond created the present uniforms in 1914, taking inspiration from the work of the painter Raphael. The working uniform is more functional and consists of blue coveralls and a black beret. Original colors (blue and yellow) were issued by Pope Giulio II taking his family (Della Rovere) colors: Pope Leone X added the red.

Originally Posted by Rex

I'm kidding, of course. I couldn't find the tongue-in-cheek smiley.

They are regal uniforms and I know they have a storied history.
Taken out of context, however, they do look a bit silly to me.

Sorry to appear "crotchedy"!

T.

**auld argonian** · 19th May 06, 01:57 PM

...Cajunscot: I hope that you mean "crotchedy"...if you're "crotchy"....

And of course...don't they give the toughest guys the most sissy looking uniforms? That way they get to kick the $#!+ out of the guys who make fun of them.

Best

AA

**macwilkin** · 19th May 06, 02:20 PM

Originally Posted by auld argonian

...Cajunscot: I hope that you mean "crotchedy"...if you're "crotchy"....

And of course...don't they give the toughest guys the most sissy looking uniforms? That way they get to kick the $#!+ out of the guys who make fun of them.

Best

AA

Oh good grief!

Yes, that's what I meant.

Same with the Greek Evzones:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evzones

Tough troops. The Italians found that out in World War Two.

T.

**davedove** · 19th May 06, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by TechBear

I will likely be going to Europe next year. Spain is a strong possibility, but it might be France and/or Italy.

My question has to do with visiting churches. From the various guide books I've been reading, many Catholic churches prohibit entry to people wearing shorts and other such "immodest" clothing. Am I likely to encounter any problems if I wanted to see the inside of a church while wearing a kilt? Any suggestions on how to handle a frantic docent who is trying to shoo me out because of my "skirt"?

You could always carry a light pair of slacks in a backpack or something just in case. I know if I were travelling that far I would hate to miss out on seeing one of the cathedrals just because someone didn't think the kilt was appropriate. While you're visiting another continent is not the time to push for your "right" to wear the kilt.