"If no one ever took risks, Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor."--Neil Simon
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Day 5
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Rome and the Vatican |
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After a great breakfast in our hotel's rooftop restaurant, which actually has a view of the Vatican, we gathered outside, met up with our amazing expert guide, Paulo, and headed across the street and into the madness that is the Vatican Museum. Paulo was not just an expert on the art and architecture. He was invaluable in navigating our way through the maze of ticket lines, security, endless escalators, and narrow passage ways. The Vatican Museum's mosh pit eventually dumped us outside in a pretty plaza where we gathered to hear Paulo's explanation of what we will be seeing inside. Because there was no talking allowed in the Sistine Chapel, Paulo, went into great detail explaining the history and significance of Michelangelo's artwork. We then went back inside to experience one of the greatest art collections in the world.
Did you know? The combined length of the galleries at the Vatican museum is over 9 miles long. It is said that if you spent only 1 minute admiring each painting or sculpture it would take you 4 years to complete the circuit.
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The Vatican Museum
"Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle."--Michelangelo
St. Peter's Basilica
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Did you know? The Swiss Guard uniforms have been relatively unchanged since the Renaissance. The colorful version is for the guard directly outside St. Peter's and worn on other formal occasions. The blue uniform is for everyday duties. Both were quite dashing.
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As we left the Sistine Chapel, dazed and amazed, Paulo led us to St. Peter's, an equally overwhelming sight. Talk about feeling small, which I suspect might have been intentional. Paulo explained the key points of art and architecture and left us on our own to explore. We took in the massive 10 story tall altar piece designed by Bernini, whose bronze was nicked from the Pantheon's pediment. We marveled at the detailed mosaics that looked very much like paintings, but have survived the test of time unlike any oil painting ever would. We took the elevator to the base of the huge dome to get an up close look at its interior design and to get outside on the roof of St. Peter's. We wandered through St. Peter's Square on a beautiful day looking for the clues followed in Dan Brown's "Angels and Demons" and a cafe to quench our thirst.
Did you know? In letters six feet high the words around the inside of the dome at St. Peter's read, "...you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church...I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven"
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Along the Way:
Guess who David saw in the Sistine Chapel of all places? Jeremy Ronenick, retired Chicago Blackhawks All-star hockey player. While I was looking up at Michelangelo's masterpiece, David was staring at Jeremy. This was undoubtedly one of David's "Wow" moments.
Guess who David saw in the Sistine Chapel of all places? Jeremy Ronenick, retired Chicago Blackhawks All-star hockey player. While I was looking up at Michelangelo's masterpiece, David was staring at Jeremy. This was undoubtedly one of David's "Wow" moments.
On our own in Rome
Castel Sant'Angelo and the Tiber River
After being left to our own devices, we made a beeline for the first cafe we came across. All that art & history was exhausting. Pizza, pasta, and a nice cold beer did the trick and we're off again, this time to Castel Sant'Angelo, aka Hadrian's Tomb, another "Angels and Demons"
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destination. We circled this formidable 2nd century structure taking in the massive walls, multi-layered construction, and elaborate architectural exterior. From tomb, to baptistery, to fortress, and now museum, the Castel Sant'Angelo has been a part of the Roman skyline for over two thousand years. I can picture Robert Langdon, aka Tom Hanks, running down the secret corridor in a last ditch attempt to find the bomb and save the world!!!
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In Hindsight: I wish I had worked a little harder at overcoming my claustrophobia and climbed to the top of the dome of St. Peter's. Ironically I have no fear of heights, just the narrow closed in passageway through the dome.
