The Vatican

Vatican Courtyard

Today we took a private-guided Vatican tour.  It was fabulous for two reasons - reason one, we didn't have to wait in a two hour line to get tickets (they say this is the slow season so you can imagine that line when it is the fast season) and reason two, our guide gave us the history of Rome and the church in simplistic terms.  The Vatican museum was impressive but it was the Sistine Chapel and St Peter's Basilica that really stole the show. 

I have seen pictures of the Sistine Chapel but up close, it is even more breath taking!  Standing in the middle of the room, the hairs on my arms were standing on end!  The detail, the foresight and the skill of Michelangelo ... all I can say is WOW.  We learned that he was not a painter, he was a sculptor and he didn't want to do the project, which makes it even more amazing that he was able to apply his talents, learn fresco painting and then spend four years (1508 to 1512) creating something that is so brilliant!  You aren't allowed to take pictures so here is a link to images:  Images of Sistine Chapel .

St Peter's Basilica

St Peter's Basilica is HUGE...the largest church and to prove that they have plaques on the floor where the size of other chapels would end.  It can hold 60,000 people and covers 5.7 acres! The interior is decorated with marble, reliefs, architectural sculpture and gold gilding.  Very impressive!