Silently, the STILL RX 50 forklift truck enters St Peter’s Basilica through a side entrance – it almost seems to glide across the opulent marble floors. On its way, it passes works of art and tombs, including that of Pope Alexander VII, which dates back to the 17th century. The sight of a STILL forklift truck in one of the world’s most famous churches still comes as a surprise to many. After all, the heavy, bright orange truck does stand out from all the splendor around it. But recently, this has become a more familiar sight, as the truck’s driver, Giovanni, works for the Reverendae Fabrica Sancti Petri, the Fabbrica di San Pietro, also known as the Fabric of St Peter’s. Founded in 1908, it is responsible for the preservation and decoration of the world’s most important Catholic church.
The STILL truck is deployed on a wide range of tasks. “We use it a lot for masses and liturgical feasts, but also for general decorating,” Giovanni says. The truck has become an important tool in maintaining what must be one of the most-visited church in the world. And thanks to its electric motor, it goes about its work quietly. According to Giovanni, the many pillars and statues that cross his path are easy to navigate around, as the truck is small and compact. “The STILL truck is very easy to steer,” Giovanni adds, “and it didn’t take me long to get used to it.”