The Vatican

I scheduled a small group tour of the Vatican in advance of our trip.  Frankly, it was a little overwhelming. We toured the grounds, the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica.  I probably could have spent the entire day laying on my back and looking up at the frescos painted by Michelangelo.  I am currently reading The Agony and the Ecstasy by Irving Stone. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Agony_and_the_Ecstasy_(novel)

It is biographical fiction, but really gives you a sense of the time period and the political/socio-economic climate during Michelangelo's lifetime.  Here is a link to some information on Michelangelo [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo] and I will not get into great detail, but seeing the Sistine Chapel and considering that the frescos were painted by a 28 year old sculptor is incredible.

On the far wall of the Sistine Chapel is the fresco "The Last Judgment", which was painted by Michelangelo almost 30 years later.  It was awesome.  The kids loved the Sistine Chapel.  As you might expect, no pictures were allowed.

The Vatican museums were interesting.  Here are a few photos:

We then went to St. Peter's Basilica and the size of the cathedral completely took me by surprise.  [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Peter's_Basilica] Further, there are sculptures by Michelangelo and Bernini, including the Pieta:

[I had trouble getting a good picture.  It is behind glass and there were 100s of tourists pushing for position]

And the baldacchino designed by Bernini:

Here are some of the other pictures I took in the Basilica:

You can also go under the Basilica to tour the grotto, where the former popes [and St. Peter?] are buried.  Here is a viewing grate in the floor of the Basilica:

Unfortunately, the Swiss guard cleared out the area at 4:00 for mass and we were unable to go below.  We went out into the square and took a few more pictures [yes, I did the angle shot with the sun again]:

As you can see on Ella's face [above] the kids were done for the day.  We caught a cab back, hit the local gelato place and then went for a nap and a late dinner.  Tomorrow I am going to get up early and run back to the Vatican to see what it is like early in the morning.