Vatican Tour

                                     Tuesday the 21st

       Here are some pictures I took during our tour of the Vatican.

Below is one of my favorite pictures! This jaw dropping art stretches the length of the Vatican museum ceiling. Even in this picture you can appreciate its detail. Definitely a sight to see.

Funneling out of the hallway depicted above, we entered into a room with a beautiful dome ceiling. That is the image you see to the right.                                                                                     Shortly after, we entered the Sistine Chapel! Photography is not allowed so I do not have pictures to post, but take my word, it was magnificent. The back wall displaying the famous "Last Judgement" was so much larger than I had expected!  

Being such a holy place, we were not allowed to speak once we had entered...and the guards stationed inside were strict on enforcing the rules. I even saw one woman get yelled at for taking a picture and her camera chip taken away! 

Before entering, our tour guide told us a little bit about Michelangelo. His competitors at the time (Bramante & Raphael) conspired against him, telling the Pope he would be the best person for the job... therefore placing themselves in position to design St. Peter's Basilica. For 4 years he laid on his back painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, impairing his far sighted vision due to the paint dripping into his eyes. However, in completing this task, Michelangelo created perhaps the most famous pieces of art known today.                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

This picture is taken after leaving the Vatican museum, before heading into St. Peter's Basilica. This is the Holy Door, opened the first day of the Holy Year (every 25 years).