The Vatican and St. Peters Basilica

Back in Roma, we decided to head out to the Vatican.  The Vatican guards are actually Swiss, hence the uniforms (see photo #1).  The map they include with your entry ticket is horrible so have a map of your own as your guide.  There are many, many museums and you must pick and choose your time wisely or you could be here for days.  We started with the Egyptian museum and headed to the Raphael Rooms and on to the Sistine Chapel.  I was surprised to find out that most of the frescoes are actually paint mixed into the plaster which is how the color remains so intact.  There are no photos allowed in the Sistine Chapel but we found a Dali piece in the rooms just prior.  At the back right side of the Sistine Chapel is an exit door specified for groups but you can sneak out that way and be only yards away from St. Peters Basilica.  Otherwise it is almost a mile walk to get back to the front of St. Peters.  So be aware of this before you purchase your audio guide to the Vatican Museums as you will have to go back to the front (instead of sneaking out the back) to return the machines and retrieve your ID. 

The line for security into St. Peters Basilica was the worst part.  But we had the Rick Steve’s audio guide that kept us entertained while waiting.  They really do a good job at adhering to a strict dress code here:  No shorts for men or women, all shoulders must be covered and skirts must be down to the knees.  You do have to pass through the “Fashion Police” after security.  The sun was passing through the windows at the back of the Nave which just made you go ahhhhhh.   My favorite piece in St. Peters is La Pieta by Michelangelo.  It is carved out of one piece of marble and he was only twenty-one when he did this.