We were both really looking forward to visiting Vatican City or "Popeland" as we had fondly renamed it. We arrived to a ghastly long line for tickets that traversed a street or two! Lucky for our forethought in purchasing "skip the line" tickets, we missed the queuing and headed straight for our security checks as we entered. We were fearful of an extended 'talkfest' like we experienced at the Colloseum however we were pleasantly surprised and delighted that this tour guide actually took breathes, stayed on track to time and had moments of silence!
In the Vartican Museums there was so much to see. You could spend an entire week in these museums and still not see everything. They are a treasure trove of paintings, sculptures and architecture the likes of which I have never seen or experienced before, and we only visited 3 of the museums briefly. It is a feast for the eyes. Amongst the mass of cultural artefacts and commissioned works was a hallway leading to the Sistine Chapel. This hallway is called the Gallery if Maps where throughout the length of the hall are various maps that were commissioned in 1580 and were completed over 3 years by Ignazio Danti. The spectacular vaulted ceiling is covered in individual works from the Mannerist artisans of the time including Nebbia and Muziano.
As we walked into the Sistine Chapel we were advised no talking and no photos. We stood there in awe of Michelangelo's two works; The Ceiling and The Last Judgement. Of particular note is that Michelangelo had not formally painted before, and this was his first effort at a fresco. It took him 4 years to complete The Ceiling, and another 5 on The Last Judgement.
On the side walls are fresco paintings by a range of Fifteenth Century artists such as Botticelli, D'Antonio and Rosselli. From the Sistine Chapel we headed to St Peters Basilica, the tomb of St Peter, where we were able to touch the feet of St Peter's statue to absolve us of sins. Let's see how that goes...
For lunch we stopped at a little restaurant outside the Vatican before a spot of souvenir shopping. Again we spent a few hours at the rooftop pool in the hot Roman sun (it's a luxury to be in a hotel with a pool at all!)
In the late afternoon we visited the Trevi Fountain and threw in a few coins and made our wishes. For Rossco his wish became immediately true as we sat in a small wine bar; red wine in hand grazing on an antipasto platter!
We had a very late and light meal in the evening, and retired to bed early with a big day ahead of us.