The
Vatican City (the smallest country in the world) is located in the very heart of
Rome. It is the pulse of Catholic life. It attracts millions of
pilgrims from all over the world, who come every year to gather in prayer and seek the blessing of the Pope. A beloved destination for all those visitors attracted by the magnificent artworks in the
Vatican Museums, its foremost monument is
St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church on the globe, the imposing dome of which stands regally over the rooftops of the
Eternal City. The Basilica overlooks St. Peter's Square, designed by
Bernini in the 17th Century, who realized the imposing lateral colonnades, consisting of 284 Doric-style columns that are topped by 140 10.17-feet-tall statues of saints and six large coats of arms of Alexander VII Chigi. Thanks to the genius of Bernini's architecture, the columns are arrayed perfectly one behind the other; positioned on their porphyry disks, as if by magic they seem to move. The piazza's longest diameter measures to 787 feet in length, while the central
obelisk stands at a height of more than 82 feet. Taking the front stairway, renovated by Bernini and consisting of three levels, visitors enter the portico, with five gates arranged along its 233 meters. Each of them corresponds to one of the front portals of the Basilica. The portico and facade were both realized by Carlo Maderno. While entering the Basilica, the visitor is immediately struck by the artistic profusion of the
interior and the spiritual evocations of thisis masterpiece. At the end of the central nave is the
statue of St. Peter giving his blessing, with his foot worn by the public's caresses. In a chapel on the right nave is the famous
Pietà by Michelangelo, a marble complex of sublime expression, completed by the artist at the age of 23. Symbol of the Catholic Church and of the city of
Rome is the main
dome, an impressive work designed by Michelangelo, and completed after his death by Domenico Fontana and Giacomo della Porta. The
Vatican Grottoes, located under the Basilica's floor, guard the
tomb of Saint Peter and those of other popes, including Pope
John Paul II. Not very far from the Basilica, walking along the walls, visitors arrive at the entrance to the
Vatican Museums, housing incomparable works of art. Among the various exhibition halls, the Museum of Egyptian Art displays numerous examples of sculptures, sarcophagi and mummies, Mesopotamian cuneiform tablets and seals. The Painting Gallery (Pinacoteca) contains works by
Giotto, Caravaggio, Beato Angelico, Perugino, Leonardo,
Titian and Raphael. In the Apostolic Palace, visitors are allowed to enter the
Raffaello Rooms that are decorated with beautiful frescoes realizsed by the artist between 1508 and 1524. Nonetheless, the main attraction is the
Sistine Chapel, a wonderful masterpiece brought about by the efforts of many artists, particularly Perugino, Botticelli, Rosselli and Ghirlandaio. Although the most famous contribution was undoubtedly that by
Michelangelo - i.e. decoration of the ceiling and the realization of the
Last Judgement behind the altar.
pmiami54
Once in a lifetime experience!
Rosanna is the BEST!
Excellent communication while booking and leading up to tour.
PRIVATE tour for three of us: Pick up at hotel by Rosanna with driver, Luigi. AMAZING seats along the main aisle. Rosanna remained with us during mass. She was fun to be with, and very knowledgeable! After, Rosanna and Luigi delivered us back to our hotel, but offered to drop us wherever we wanted to go. Can’t say enough good things! Will be using Rosanna again on our next trip to Italy.
From Viator/Tripadvisor – December 2019