How perfect is it to share my travel post with you on a
Sunday! This is my later part of the day in Rome. After touring the Colosseum, we then visited the
Vatican City.
(photos from top--clockwise: tickets to the Vatican Museum, museum sign, the Swiss Guard outside the St. Peter's Square, introduction/map/guides of the Sistine Chapel's )
Once we stepped inside, we couldn't help being marveled at the floors, ceilings and displays....
After a really fast walk-through, before you know it, we were outside the museum. A glance from the St. Peter's Square.
Next stop is the famous
Sistine Chapel
Inside the chapel, it was dark and very crowded...we were also advised to keep
very quiet because it is a holy place . Therefore, we were in a room
full of hundreds of quiet tourists....I must admit, it was not that pleasant!
Here is a
virtual tour of the chapel ,
allowing visitors a close-up view of figures in the frescoes. Apart from the sweat and steam the tourists (like me)
bring into the chapel, the sheer number of visitors has been criticized
for giving the space the feel of a busy train station, complete with
pickpockets (watch out!)!
The Creation of Adam is the most well-known of the Sistine Chapel fresco panels, and its fame as a piece of art is rivaled only by the
Mona Lisa by
Leonardo da Vinci. The image of the near-touching hands of God and Adam has become one of the single most iconic images of
humanity and has been reproduced in countless imitations and parodies. So.very. awe-inspiring....
After the Chapel, we were scurried off to the majestic
St. Peter's Basilica. I was speechless as I entered the Basilica as it is absolutely massive!
In the following photo, the
balcony (above the door) is where
Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowds and gives his speeches. Alas, Pope was not there that day...
The Holy Door or 'Porta Sancta' is only open during a Holy Year (Jubilee), which
occur every 25 years (the last one in 2000).
The Pieta by Michelanglo in the north aisle
close-up
A glace outside the St. Peter's Square
Are you amazed?
I didn't know how much I could take in one afternoon after seeing such these magnificent buildings, paintings, sculptures. It was definitely
an afternoon to remember.
Have a blessed Sunday!
