This morning we all took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep. Our tour guide, Michael, picked us up at our apartment for our visit to the Vatican. Michael used to work at the Vatican so he was incredibly knowledgeable. We spent about three and a half hours there, stopping at many of the paintings, tapestries and sculptures throughout the facility. We first entered a courtyard with ancient sculptures. Michael seemed to know the symbolism for every possible detail so he made the trip incredibly informative. Because visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel, there were photos in the courtyard depicting Michelangelo’s Last Judgement and the chapel ceiling so that Michael could explain them before we entered. On our way to the Sistine Chapel, we walked through the museum section, gazing at priceless art. Of course, the Sistine Chapel was breathtaking. (It was closed on our last trip to Italy, so it was our first time seeing the magnificent works of art.)
(Above is the courtyard at the Vatican that sees an average of 17,000 people a day. Only 900 people live in Vatican City (including 200 women), which is technically the smallest country in the world. Below is our tour guide, Michael, and a statue he felt bears a striking resemblance. The inscription states the familiar saying 'practice makes perfect.')
Above is inside the infamous Sistine Chapel (this is a poster – no cameras are allowed inside). Below is inside the Vatican museum on the way to the Sistine Chapel.
The next stop was Saint Peter’s Basilica that surrounds you with so much beautiful artwork, it is hard to take it all in. Directly inside the Basilica was Michelangelo’s famous Pieta showcasing Mary holding Jesus in her arms. We spent a good amount of time gazing at the artful displays before leaving Vatican City.
(Above is Michelangelo's famous Pieta as you enter Saint Peters Cathedral and below is inside Saint Peter's Basilica and the picture below is one of the many domes inside)
(There is only one actual painting inside Saint Peter's Basilica. All of the surrounding artworks are actually mosaic)
As we headed back into Rome from the Vatican, we stopped for a few photos at Circus Maximus, which we had seen yesterday but not taken much time to see.
We asked Micheal to drop us off at San Giovanni in Laterano – a seventeenth century church. It was beautiful and contained the tombs of several popes. There were also thirteen huge statues depicting Jesus and his apostles and, until 1870 was where the crowning of all popes took place.
After a brief stop at another small church, we were ready for a big meal. We stopped to eat outside at a restaurant called “Merulana Café” near our apartment. We started with appetizers of bruchetta, caprese, baked cheese and squash blossoms, and followed that up with an assortment of entrees, most of which were pastas. Then, we shared a trio of desserts – chocolate cake, strawberry crème and, what else but Tiramisu.
After dinner, we headed back to the apartment to rest up for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be our last full day in Rome, so we plan to make the most of it – a local market in the morning, a tour of the coliseum, a walk near the forum and, if the girls are lucky, maybe a little time for some shopping!
This morning we all took the opportunity to catch up on some sleep. Our tour guide, Michael, picked us up at our apartment for our visit to the Vatican. Michael used to work at the Vatican so he was incredibly knowledgeable. We spent about three and a half hours there, stopping at many of the paintings, tapestries and sculptures throughout the facility. We first entered a courtyard with ancient sculptures. Michael seemed to know the symbolism for every possible detail so he made the trip incredibly informative. Because visitors are not allowed to take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel, there were photos in the courtyard depicting Michelangelo’s Last Judgement and the chapel ceiling so that Michael could explain them before we entered. On our way to the Sistine Chapel, we walked through the museum section, gazing at priceless art. Of course, the Sistine Chapel was breathtaking. (It was closed on our last trip to Italy, so it was our first time seeing the magnificent works of art.)
(Above is the courtyard at the Vatican that sees an average of 17,000 people a day. Only 900 people live in Vatican City (including 200 women), which is technically the smallest country in the world. Below is our tour guide, Michael, and a statue he felt bears a striking resemblance. The inscription states the familiar saying 'practice makes perfect.')
Above is inside the infamous Sistine Chapel (this is a poster – no cameras are allowed inside). Below is inside the Vatican museum on the way to the Sistine Chapel.
The next stop was Saint Peter’s Basilica that surrounds you with so much beautiful artwork, it is hard to take it all in. Directly inside the Basilica was Michelangelo’s famous Pieta showcasing Mary holding Jesus in her arms. We spent a good amount of time gazing at the artful displays before leaving Vatican City.
(Above is Michelangelo's famous Pieta as you enter Saint Peters Cathedral and below is inside Saint Peter's Basilica and the picture below is one of the many domes inside)
(There is only one actual painting inside Saint Peter's Basilica. All of the surrounding artworks are actually mosaic)
As we headed back into Rome from the Vatican, we stopped for a few photos at Circus Maximus, which we had seen yesterday but not taken much time to see.
We asked Micheal to drop us off at San Giovanni in Laterano – a seventeenth century church. It was beautiful and contained the tombs of several popes. There were also thirteen huge statues depicting Jesus and his apostles and, until 1870 was where the crowning of all popes took place.
After a brief stop at another small church, we were ready for a big meal. We stopped to eat outside at a restaurant called “Merulana Café” near our apartment. We started with appetizers of bruchetta, caprese, baked cheese and squash blossoms, and followed that up with an assortment of entrees, most of which were pastas. Then, we shared a trio of desserts – chocolate cake, strawberry crème and, what else but Tiramisu.
After dinner, we headed back to the apartment to rest up for tomorrow. Tomorrow will be our last full day in Rome, so we plan to make the most of it – a local market in the morning, a tour of the coliseum, a walk near the forum and, if the girls are lucky, maybe a little time for some shopping!
Steph! These blog posts with your trip details and photos are amazing--As Benson would say "Ilohvit"!! This is so fun to be able to follow along with your trip. The pictures are amazing and I'm drooling as you list the food your eating. I'm just sitting here living vicariously through you guys. You look like you're having a great time. And did I mention the food sounds awesome? ;) Continue to have a wonderful time and to let us know about all of it...especially the food. Ha ha! I love you guys! :)
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