Visiting the Vatican is something that I will never forget in my life. It was one of the moments when I was completely awestruck by the grandeur, history, ancientness, cultural significance, and beauty for hours. It is one of those places that I have heard of, read about, and seen on TV… but to stand in the square in the shadows of the Egyptian obelisk with St. Peters Basilica standing ahead… wow. As Tammy put it so well, this whole trip has been an out-of-body experience.
We went with a tour guide. Ours was a woman from Venice who was very fun and smart. We learned so much about the Vatican and the Church. On our tour we visited the Square, the museum, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica. The tour took over 3 hours. This place is huge. HUGE. So huge that you dont even know where to look.
Since we came on a Saturday, it was the Vaticans busiest day. The museum was awfully packed. I felt like a sardine inside, shoulder to shoulder with everyone. Almost everything we passed in the museum was at least 20 centuries old. Can you even imagine TWENTY centuries??? I have a difficult enough time handling a week sometimes! Haha· In the museum we saw paintings, statues, carvings, tapestries and so much more. The museum itself was a fine piece of architecture with ornate murals.
Some background info before I jump into the Sistine Chapel… My favorite piece of art has always been Michelangelos The Creation. Although Dali is my favorite artist, The Creation is such an adirmable masterpiece. I love it. Love love love it. When we finally reached the Sistine Chapel and I raised my eyes and saw that familiar painting – but the real one – right there above my head… I lost it. My eyes became watery and the nervous excited butterflies in my stomach turned into a knot in my throat. To gaze upon something I have always respected and admired… and to say that I was there… the gratitude I felt was beyond anything I know. I consider myself so fortunate.
Also fortunate, for the girl who usually cannot let go of her camera and is in the room of her most favorite painting where NO photography is allowed… the guards were on strike. Meaning that nobody cared about anyone taking photos. And nobody was there to stop anybody. At first I felt like it was sacreligious to take photos but that inner photographer could not resist. I snapped SO MANY photos. SO MANY. What a turn of good fortune.
St Peters Basilica was also beyond anything I could every express in words or photos. I never realized this, but there are no paintings in the Basilica. Strange, because it certainly looks like it! In fact, is is all marble mosaic. And the lettering on top of the chuch is at least 3 feel tall. I have seen the Basilica on those church stations when dad used to randomly decide to turn that channel on just to annoy Jenn and I… but there it was! The most beautiful manmade place I have ever been. I also never realized that some of the Popes bodies are on display in glass coffins. What was crazy to me was one of the Popes who was ‘untouched.’ His face looked perfectly normal, only slightly waxy/mummified in appearance. Mind-boggling that he had died years ago.
Even thought I’m not typically one for prayer, I did decide to get back to my Catholic roots and say a prayer for my family and friends. It felt good.
I am still blown away by the enormity of The Vatican. I feel completely honored (or shall I say blessed?) that I was able to go in and see with my own eyes this places.
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