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Happy Thanksgiving, everyone.
We have moved on to Italy even though I have yet to make my final report on Split, Croatia, which I will get to soon – hopefully. I have more time to write when the weather is bad and we spend more time in our lodging. Lately, we’ve been very busy. First in Rome then Sorrento. Tomorrow we leave for the curious town of Matera, just to give you a closer to “Real Time” update.
In celebration of Thanksgiving, today’s post is all about Vatican City.
So we bought a tour package “Exclusive Access to Vatican City” starting at 8AM. So early in the morning, I’ll bet it’s quiet and not crowded. Nope and nope. We arrived at our meeting point at 7:30 and there were several groups mustering to attack the Vatican, some as large as 50 or 60. Ours was a tidy group of 13 with the colossal 6’4” leader, Marco, who handed us receivers and earbuds and we made our way to the entrance.
First we marched through the Pinecones Courtyard, listening to Marco’s anecdotes. The enormous bronze “Sphere within a Sphere” sculpture impressed everyone, but not Tom. Personally, I though it looked like a Death Star.
Then the real magic happened. Incredible displays of sculptures and paintings – a literal art history deep dive. And the floors, only to be outdone by the ceilings. My neck is still sore from craning. Such beauty. The Gallery of the Tapestries, followed by the even more lavish Gallery of the Maps. In both galleries, the ceilings were the showstoppers.
Next we saw Raphael’s “School of Athens”, a very famous work of art. Did you know it has many cameos? Raphael himself appears, as does his rival Michaelangelo (as Heraclitus) and da Vinci (as Plato).
The Sistine chapel was next and was not the sacred space I was expecting. Cameras and talking are strictly prohibited, but apparently not this day. Oh well. The ceiling was impressive as advertised. The Last Judgment was Tom’s favorite and mine too. It was a little scary.
St Peter’s Basilica was our last stop in the Vatican. Apparently Michaelangelo was assigned this project at age 71 when the original architect passed away; and he died before it was completed. Pietà, one of Michaelangelo’s first sculptures, and arguably his best. It was completed when he was just 24 and is now on display here behind security glass, because apparently people can be jerks. Also the Pietà was the only piece Michaelangelo ever signed. I tried to get some photos of it and you can almost make out Michaelangelo’s scribe.
One of the chapels was curtained off inside St Peter’s and we finally found our quiet, sacred moment, for which I am very thankful. We hope you find a quiet moment of reflection today and know we are grateful for your virtual companionship on our meandering adventure.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Amazing!! Thx for sharing your fabulous trip!!
🥰❤️🦃
Missing the Thanksgiving colors of our yards. Hopefully not all of our leaves have blown into your yard. 🥰
Loved Rome. So much to see, almost over whelming . It is truly amazing all of the Art work. So glad you are having a great time. Miss you!
Rome is buzzing with energy and SO much to see! I also loved seeing the art, and I’d could spend much more than 3 days immersed in it. We have been so busy in Italy, I have fallen behind on blogging. Hope to catch up on the train rides. I miss you too! 🥰
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