Vatican, Sistene Chapel, St Peter's Basilica

The entire day was set aside for the Vatican visit.  It was an easy walk from the apartment on a gorgeous day.  We arrived early and entered about 9:30 am.  We toured the Vatican Museaum, enjoyed a leasurely lunch,  explored the remaining rooms at the Vatican. We had a long, long walk to the Sistine Chapel. No photos were allowed.  It was just as beautiful as all of the photos that you see.  We couldn't take the shortcut to St. Peter's Basilica, so we had to exit the building and walk around on the outside.  We toured the Basilica, took some photos.  We had timed the tour to bring us here for the 5PM Mass, so we waited in line and quietly took a seat.  No photos during Mass, but I did make an audio recording.  I am trying to figure out how to post the sound file to the blog, so it is not here yet.

Beautiful blue skies as we approached the Vatican.

View of St. Peter's from the Vatican Museaum courtyard.

Hall of statues

Lacoona - in the courtyard

Quick stop for lunch and some pizza.

Ceilings in the Papal Apartments

 

Raphael Rooms at the Palace of the Vatican
"School of Athens"

Mosaic floor

Walkway to the Sistine Chapel

This staircase was amazing to look at and to walk down.

This struck me as a very funny sign.
It sounds like it is made-up Italian.

Apartments in the area around the Vatican.

Swiss guard

Michelangelo's Pieta

Bernini columns.  We attended Mass in the
area beyond the columns but couldn't take pictures.

Looking up at the Dome.

Night river view

Fresh tomato and mozzerella at a neighborhood restaurant.

Shared a find bottle of Italian wine.

Waiter brought a little apertif to the table after the meal.

And also taught us a new word in Italian