Vatican City State was founded following the signing of the Lateran Pacts between the Holy See and Italy on February 11th 1929. St Peters Bascilica - over 150 years passed from the decision of Nicholas V Parentucelli to enlarge and restore the ancient basilica to the completion of the
Renaissance building with the façade (1612). The Vatican grottoes contain chapels dedicated to various saints and tombs of kings, queens and popes, dating from the 10th century. The holiest placeis Peter’s tomb, containing the "memory", built in the 4th century by the Emperor Constantine, on the spot were the Apostle’s tomb was venerated.

The Sistine Chapel is named after his commissioner, Sixtus IV della
Rovere (1471-1484), who decided to have a large room built where the “Cappella Magna” once stood.According to some scholars, the dimensions of the hall (40.23 metres in
length, 13.40 metres in width and 20.70 metres in height) are copied
from Solomon’s great temple in Jerusalem, which was destroyed by the
Romans in 70 A.D. Arched windows light the chapel, while lunettes and triangular webs join the ceiling’s barrel vault with the side walls. Painted on the walls are the following: on the left, looking at the “Last Judgement”,scenes from the Old Testament, with the Stories of Moses, saviour of the Jewish people; on the right, scenes from the New Testament, with the
Stories of Christ, the saviour of all humanity. These scenes are therefore parallel. Originally this wall also included the “Finding of Moses” and the “Nativity of Jesus”,but Michelangelo later obliterated them in 1534. This cycle ends on the main entrance wall with “Disputation over the Body of Moses” and the “Resurrection of Christ”, both re-painted in the 16th century.

An emotional experience visiting the Vatican City.....such a special place. The Sistine Chapel
is breathtaking but you cant take photos. How much would Dad have enjoyed this.