Vatican City

VATICAN CITY:

On the next to the last day, Kelly, Mary Jo and I braved the crowds to visit Vatican City. We quickly learned that the wait was up to three hours to just get into the Vatican. There is shortage of street vendors selling tours. We were convinced to join a tour for a nominal fee and we were guaranteed to be able to \”go to the front of the line.\” Once we joined the walking tour, it took us about an hour by the time our group walked to the ticket office, purchasing tickets and getting our audio device, we were on our way to tour the Vatican Museum (which was closed to the public and only for the Pope\’s pleasure until recently), then the rest of Vatican City and St. Peter\’s Basilica. Our tour guide was very informative and there is no way I could have absorbed even half of what he told us. I know he made the tour much more meaningful, although there were times where the crowds inside was a little over-whelming. If you are planning a trip to Vatican City, I would strongly recommend \”What a Life Tours.\” You can obtain further information by going online to whatalifetours.com.

Photographs were not allowed inside the Sistine Chapel, but I will share some of the photos from inside St. Peter\’s, and especially some of the art work. The ceilings were amazing. So much of our time was spent looking upwards. I wonder how Michaelangelo was able to complete his work without causing extreme back pain. The story goes that he painted the ceiling while laying prone on scaffolding, but our guide told us otherwise. He actually stood on the scaffolding and bent backwards. It took him four years to complete the ceiling after having been commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1508. The detail of the artwork was beautiful as it told the story of the creation of mankind and the world and the ultimate downfall of mankind. After leaving the Sistine Chapel, we walked through some of the apartments of the Popes and actually walked down the stairs that a newly elected Pope uses to walk to the balcony to greet the crowds. Please enjoy the photographs.

Artwork on the Ceiling The Alter at St. Peter\’s Basilica LAOCOON and HIS SONS

On January 14, 1506, a farmer was digging in his vineyard and began to uncover pieces of marble which were the statute of Laocoon and his sons. Eventually Pope Julias II was able to secure the sculpture for his collection. One problem with the sculpture was that Laocoon was missing an arm. Michelangelo, and an architect were sent to inspect the discovery. Michelangelo refused to assist in the restoration because he felt the sculpture was beneath his abilities. It was eventually restored with Laocoon\’s arm outstretched. Michelangelo disagreed with the outstretched arm and felt, because of the muscles on the Laocoon\’s back, that the arm was bent. Eventually the arm was found and Michelangelo was correct, the arm was bent which is the way it displays today.

Inside St. Peter\’s Basilica

After spending hours walking through Vatican City, we sought out the closest restaurant (away from the crowds) and enjoyed a nice glass of wine and a much needed rest.