The Eble's Go to Europe: Wed, 4th of July, 2012

Wednesday, 4th of July, 2012

Happy Independence Day!

Today we had a private tour of the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. There is a strict dress code for the Basilica and the Chapel. No shorts, above-the-knee skirts, or bare shoulders for women, men and children. We were also told by our hotel manager that only sandals with a strap on the back were allowed, aka no flip-flops. After a couple clothing changes, we were out the door and on the Metro headed for the Vatican City.

The Pope's place, top floor 2nd window on the right

Swiss Army Guards

Place where St. Peter was crucified upside down

The Family w/ Irene

Our tour guide, Irene swept us through security and led us straight to the Pinacoteca (art gallery). The gallery has a collection of 460 paintings in 18 rooms, with some masterpieces of the greatest artists of Italian history, Giotto, Raphael and Leonardo to name a few. A little side note, there were tons of people wearing shorts, tank tops and flip-flops. I guess they didn't read Rick Steve's guide to Rome. :)

Next we explored the Vatican Museum. We viewed ancient Greek and Roman sculptures (as if we haven't had enough of those already), although all the naked men sculptures had fig leaves added to them centuries later. Further on were the tapestries showing scenes from Jesus' life. They were beautiful and so intricate, that some of the scenes seemed to follow you as you walked past them, almost 3-D like. Thanks to our guide, Irene we probably noticed more detail and obscurities than if we were on our own. She also picked out the highlights for us to see, otherwise we'd probably still be there.

Belvedere Torso (This ancient sculpture inspired Michelangelo and Raphael)

Fig leave man

Tapestry

Irene deciphering the tapestry map for us

Irene helping us understand floor art

Now onto see the big daddy, the Sistine Chapel. Up until now we could take photos without flash, but no cameras were allowed in the chapel, or at least that's what the 20 or so signs said before entering the room. Well low and behold we entered the chapel (which was amazing), and there were 50 to 60 people taking pictures and half of them had flashes going off. I guess the guards were tired this day, but I was really bothered by the whole thing. I thought the reason for no flash was to preserve this great treasure. Ughh!

Anyways, I wish we could have gone back just so I could spend 3 hours observing and pondering this amazing room, which by the way is the same dimensions as Solomon's Temple. Sorry we don't have any photos to show you! :)

We ended with St. Peter's Basilica. This too is a place that needs it's own day to properly experience it. This church is HUGE! It is filled with historical significance, architecural significance, biblical significance and spiritual significance. There are statues, alters, and tombs (oh my!)

The Holy Door is only opened during a Holy Year (Jubilee), which is every 25 years

Papal Alter

Statue of St. Peter

St. Peter's Tomb

The tours we have gone on have been pretty intense. We as a family don't do much talking while touring, other than a few comments here and there. Most places have been packed with people, and we are focused on understanding what we are looking at or walking through. I think that's part of the reason we are so wiped out afterwards.
Our meals still continue to be a time for us to relax, laugh, and reflect on the day. For the most part our food experiences have been delightful. Paris still kicks butt in the bread and pastry category, but the pasta, pesto and focaccia has been my Italian favorites.