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Neither words nor pictures can describe the beauty, detail, and overall emotion of what I felt and saw during my visit to the Vatican City. If you ever get the chance to come to Italy you must go to the Basilica di San Pietro (St. Peter's Basilica)...it should be a goal in life. Sorry didn't mean to get deep and introspective. Anyways, I spent most of my third day at the Vatican City. I started off with the Vatican Museums (unknowingly saving the best for last). This place is just a maze of rooms and galleries filled with hundreds and hundreds of pieces of art such as sculptures, paintings, tapestries, and maps. I went through this place fairly quickly as I was eager to see the Sistine Chapel. However, some of the galleries were breath taking, one in particular was the Gallery of Maps. After going through what seemed like a labyrinte of art I finally made it to Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and wasn't allowed to take pictures! BOOO. Nonetheless, it was impressive. Want to talk about dedication, how about painting a ceiling for over 30 years! This completed my visit to the Vatican Museums, now it was time for my
Vatican Museum
Gallery of Maps emotional break down (not quite but still). I walked back down along the Vatican wall towards the Basilica di San Pietro and walked through the columns into the Piazza and was once again in awe. Bernini's colonnade encircles the Piazza and is lined with statues of 140 saints with the Basilica in the center. I was worried that the line would be horrendous because my "Let's Go Italy!" book said lines usually start at 6:30am and it was already 10am when I got there....but I guess I was lucky and went on a slow day! One of the main reasons I was so excited for St. Peters was to see one of my favorite sculptures that I have admired since Art History in 10th grade, Michelangelo's Pieta. I walk through the door and there it is on the right hand side behind bullet proof glass because some psycho took a hammer to it in 1972 and broke Christ's nose and Mary's hand, thankfully it's been repaired. Sorry, but I have to admit I am one of those people who cry over art and classical music. Yes, I cried when I saw the Pieta...hush. Anyways, I spent the next two hours
Vatican Museum
Gallery of Tapestries in St. Peter's. Every inch of the 187m x 137m building is adorned by marble, frescoes, columns, sculptures, tombs, windows, domes, etc. etc. In the center over the alter is Bernini's baldacchino (canopy) which towers over St. Peter's tomb which was down a flight of stairs and not really visible. Above this is a cupola by Michelangelo. I could go on and on about this place but I'll just let you see for your self or look it up on Wikipedia! Unfortunately, the Pope wasn't around..I just got a picture of him on the flat screens outside in the Piazza. Maybe next time! Hope you enjoyed my adventures in Rome! Off to Milan tomorrow for the weekend! Buonanotte!
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Aunt Debbie
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AWESOME!!!!!!!!!! So glad you are having a good time and seeing some awesome sights. I love looking at your pics--Be safe