We spent nearly an entire day exploring Vatican City.
The Papal Swiss Guard, who protect the Pope and Vatican City.
The Sistine Chapel
"Without having seen the Sistine chapel, one can form no appreciable of what one man is capable of achieving."
-Johann Wolfgang Goethe, 1787
The Sistine chapel is absolutely breathtaking. Everywhere you look paintings grace the walls and ceiling depicting historical events, primarily, historical Biblical events. It was inspiring to view these events as the artists who lived before viewed them.
We were not allowed to take any pictures once we were in the chapel, so I had to steal this picture from Google so I can remember the magnificence of the place. When you think of the Sistine chapel, the famous Michelangelo's paintings "The Last Judgement" or "The Creation of Adam" might come to mind, but there are so many other marvelous works that also line the ceiling and walls. You neck starts to hurt from looking up so often.
One of the aspects that I loved about Italian culture was the respect they have for the many chapels and churches that dwell in the city. In the Sistine chapel, you are forbidden to talk. Even whispering will draw an angry eye from the guards that line the room. You also must dress modestly, girls cannot wear shorts or have their shoulders showing.
Would you believe that every time, I mean EVERY TIME we decided to visit a church that day I happened to forget my cardigan. I bought several for the occasion and left every one of them in the hotel room (and one I accidentally left in the seat of a Taxi)
So that's why I'm wearing lots of lovely plastic "shawls" in all of our pictures.
The Vatican Museum
The Vatican Museum leads the way to the Sistine Chapel. It houses many great pieces of art, sculptures, artifacts and other regalia. It's beautiful.
Mummys in the Vatican Museum
The crazy thing about Rome is you become so accustomed to seeing God's creativity. It's present in the architecture, the people, the sculptures, paintings. It's everywhere. God is an artist. I think I took it for-granted while I was there, because, like I said it was everywhere. Now looking back on pictures, can I really appreciate the beauty we were allowed to see.
This is a picture of the many Bibles that have been used throughout the centuries by the various Pope's.
This is a painting by Raphael called "The Disputation of the Last Sacrament". It depicts many historical figures such as popes, cardinals and Dantes.
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Bascilica is considered one the of the largest churches in the world, and one of the holiest Catholic sites. It is the burial site of St. Peter, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus.
Us, in St. Peter's Piazza
Can you imagine the excitement to stand in St. Peter's Piazza this past March when Pope Francis was announced as the newly elected Pope? What a day to be in Vatican City.
To say St. Peter's Bascilica is huge would be an understatement, it's massive. I've never walked into a church anywhere near as large.
This picture does not do it justice. Each hallway on the side goes into another area that is just as large as the first.
Known as the "Apse". The golden clock behind it is magnificent.
Behind us, in the distance is the altar where St. Peter is believed to be buried beneath.
What is absolutely amazing about Italy is that everything holds historical significance. Every piece of art, architecture, and ruin. The Italians live among history and do not bring attention to it. They leave it be, and let the history speak for itself.
For example, Jeremy knew the "Pieta", Michelangelo's famous sculpture of Mary holding Jesus, was housed in St. Peter's Basilica, however we did not know where. We were determined to find it and as we turned a nondescript corner, there is was. Simply named "Pieta". That's all. No description. No pomp and circumstance. Perhaps one of the greatest sculptures we will ever experience, and the Italians just let it speak for itself.
Everything in the Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter's Basilica was truly heart-stirring. The grandeur and splendor was like nothing I had ever seen. It really made me think about heaven. If places this spectacular exist on Earth, what will Heaven be like? How beautiful and awe-worthy will the place where our Lord dwells be? I know it will lead us to worship.
“You are worthy, O Lord our God,
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
to receive glory and honor and power.
For you created all things,
and they exist because you created what you pleased.”
Revelation 4:11
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