The Seventy-Seventh Day: Rome part 2: The Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Saint Peters Basilica, Spanish Steps

Friday, April 25: 

We explored the Vatican today. Boy is THAT an overwhelming thing to do. There's SO MUCH there. Check this place out:

We were there just a few days before the canonizations of Pope Joh XXIII and Pope John Paul II. Probably one of the busiest weeks in Vatican City OF ALL TIME.  It was a pretty big deal. 

While we were there, we stopped into a small traveling exhibit about how Christianity spread throughout the world. It was very interesting. The photo below is the entrance to that exhibit. 

Vatican City Policemen? Security Guards? Something official and important. 

Seriously, look at all these chairs they set up for the canonizations. SO MANY HUMANS.

While in Italy, every meal was the best pizza, pasta, or panini of my life. Always followed by plenty of gelato. 

We went inside the Vatican Museum of Art, which houses the Sistine Chapel. And LOADS of other really important works of Christian Art. An overwhelming amount of important works of Christian Art. Like, ALL the important works of Christian Art.

I can't get enough of these domed ceilings.

Okay, these ceilings?! SO CRAZY. I will never in my life be able to study all the pieces housed in this building. Ridiculous. 

One of my favourite pieces in the museum because I never  expected to see anything like it. 

They don't allow photos inside the Sistine Chapel, so I didn't take any. To be honest, I didn't even think about trying to sneak some because I was so overwhelmed. I may have gotten a little teary when we walked in. It's so beautiful. Definitely one of the highlights of Rome. 

Even more mesmerizing (for me) than the gorgeous ceiling is the mural of the Last Judgment that Michelangelo painted later in his life. I could stare at that thing all day. Interesting to be in a room with so many people, each having their own emotional reaction to such profound works of art. Beautiful. 

After leaving the museum, we went to St. Peter's Basilica, yet ANOTHER overwhelmingly beautiful place.

This giant statue of the Pope is in a sneaky side exit that led us from inside the museum RIGHT TO THE DOORSTEP of St. Peter's Basilica. We were supposed to take a different exit that would have forced us into a giant line. Just a little bit of rebellion in the Holy City!

This is the Holy Door. It's sealed from the inside so it can't be opened regularly. It's only opened on Jubilee years where pilgrims to the Holy City enter the Basilica for a plenary indulgence (which, as I understand it means they are permanently absolved from the temporal punishments that sinning would typically bring about.)

We stepped inside the Basilica, and beams of light were streaming in through the dome. Breathtaking.

Just look at those lovely beams!

The highlight of the Basilica, other than standing where one of the original 12 Apostles was martyred, was seeing Michelangelo's Pieta. This is the only piece the sculptor ever signed. 

They've placed it behind bulletproof glass, a reaction to an attack on the sculpture years ago. Very sad. 

Put a unicorn on it! 

This stained glass was so much more stunning in person. 

I'm a pro at asking random strangers to take photos of us. Chris hates it.

After seeing the Basilica, we went to the Spanish Steps. I didn't take photo of the actual steps, but here's the view from the top! :)

YOU GUYS. After the Steps, we were STARVING. We walked to the #1 rated restaurant on Urban Spoon. SO WORTH IT. He gave us this cheese and honey flan with prosciutto. Easily the best thing I've ever eaten, ever. EVER. I crave this all the time now. Stupid Rome and your delicious food. 

Just look at it. It doesn't look like much, but MAN. Delicious.