Vatican City

Admissions	Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, 12 Euro; St. Peter’s Basilica, Free but must call and schedule ahead
Hours	Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel, March to October, Monday to Friday, 8:45 am to 4:45 pm, Saturday and last Sunday of the month (except holidays) 8:45 am to 1:45 pm; November to February, Monday to Saturday and last Sunday of the month (except holidays), 8:45 am to 1:45 pm; St. Peter’s Basilica, April to September, 7 am to 6 pm; October to March, 7 am to 6 pm
Phone	:Vatican Museum, 06-69884947; St. Peter’s Basilica, 06-69884466
Website	www.vatican.va

The religious significance of Rome captures the interests of millions of sightseers every year. However, Vatican City’s drawing power extends well beyond those of the Catholic faith, as it is a historical and cultural gem.

Inside the Vatican museums you will come across religious works of art from many generations. Paintings and sculptures line the rooms and hallways, as do artifacts from past Popes. After viewing the various works of art, the tour culminates with the Sistine Chapel. In the Chapel, guards continuously hush the whisperings of the crowd, out of respect for the holiness of the Church. Not much time is spent talking, as your attention will be immediately grabbed by Michelangelo’s ceiling frescoes, which are arguably the most magnificent ever created. The paintings depict religious scenes such as Creation and the Last Judgment with such intensity, that you will find yourself standing with your neck craned upwards in an effort to see every detail.

Equally important to Catholics, art lovers, and history buffs alike, is St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. When you first enter the Piazza in front of the Church, you will have to walk through massive columns. The impact of the enormous columns that surround the Piazza, are a sort of preparation for the vastness of the space and the Grandeur of the Church. These columns form an elliptical shape around the spacious Piazza. While the Piazza is the perfect place for a picture, be sure to visit inside the Church as well. The line to enter the Church is well worth the wait. After you enter, you will see Michelangelo’s Pietà on your right. Even behind glass, the statue still commands the attention of the large crowds that are constantly gathered around. Walking further into the Church will lead you to another great work of art, Bernini’s Baldacchino. This great four columned bronze canopy structure, which may only be used by the Pope, stands underneath Michelangelo’s dome. Underneath the Church itself, are the Vatican Grottoes, home to the tombs of past Popes. This is the spot where, Catholics believe, St. Peter was laid to rest.

The architecture, paintings, and sculptures of St. Peter’s and the Vatican make it worthy of being an independent city. You can spend an entire day within the walls of the Vatican, trying to capture the vast richness of every detail. Michelangelo, Bernini, Bramante, and a score of other artists, have spent centuries creating this collaborative masterpiece.