Vatican Museum 1: Liz 0

It was gloomy and rainy today so I decided to go to the Vatican Museum. I only have three more sites on my list to do before I leave, the Vatican being one of them. I knew it would be packed, hectic, and overrun with tour groups and it was, but still amazing. All I remember about the museum when I was little and went with my parents was looking down a hallway that seemed to go on forever and being really, really tired whenever we got to the Sistine Chapel. I wish I could report that twelve years later I was tougher and didn't get tired, but once again the Vatican won. I managed to keep my spirits up until the Sistine Chapel, but after that my legs and feet hurt, and I was getting the museum look. You know, when your eyes glaze over and even if the most amazing artwork is in front of you, you don't care and just want to sitdown and nap. I almost saw everything, almost. Maybe in another 12 years I'll see it all.

The museum has two main sections: Egyptian/Ancient and Renaissance. The Egyptian rooms were really neat. Let's be honest, seeing an actual mummy in a sarcophagus is pretty cool. I also really liked all the giant statues of gods as animals.

Then there was the animal room, followed by ancient Greek and Roman sculptures. There were some beautiful mosaics. Speaking of mosaics I have decided that in my future home a simple, small mosaic is going to be necessary. I've become totally obsessed with them to the point that I may dedicate an entire post to the wonder of mosaics.

This is a bearded old River god, but more importantly, the pose inspired Michelangelo's Adam in the Sistine Chapel.

All that is left of an ancient statue of Hercules. Michelangelo loved it and would say "I am the pupil of the Torso."

After all this I began the quarter mile walk to the Sistine Chapel. This walk consisted of tapestries, the map hall, and finally the breathtaking Renaissance works. I actually gasped when I entered a few of the rooms, they were so beautiful. It was this walk that I remember from being a kid, the hallways seem endless. At least it was pretty, I especially loved the ceilings.

Then came the rooms Raphael painted for the Pope. They were incredible. Equally amazing is that Michelangelo worked on the Sistine Chapel just down the hall while Raphael painted these rooms. It is fun to imagine these artists working in the same building. I really liked Rapheal's rooms, especially The School of Athens. It portrays the philosophers of ancient greece, with Plato and Aristotle surrounded by thinkers and scientists. Also, this fresco was enormous, it is hard to get an idea of scale in these pictures. These were the final rooms leading up to the Sistine Chapel.

After these rooms, I finally entered the Sistine Chapel. Sorry, no pictures allowed. I didn't want to take sneak pictures because 1. they wouldn't turn out that great anyway and 2. I didn't feel like getting yelled at by the guards in the room and forced to delete my pictures. What can I possibly say about the Sistine Chapel that hasn't been said a thousand times before. It was enormous, bright, beautiful, and incredible. I spent about 30 minutes getting a crick in my neck staring upwards. One of the many things that makes it so amazing is that this huge ceiling was created by one man. Paintings and frescos are a mystery to me. I don't know how artists start with a blank canvas and then create these amazing, three dimensional works. A few facts: it is 5,900 square feet, it depicts the history of the world until the birth of Jesus, and took four years to finish (1508-1512).

At the other end of the room is the Last Judgment which Michelangelo also painted but twenty three years after the ceiling. It was also massive and depicts exactly what it the title indicates, judgement day for mankind. The souls are pulled out of the ground by angels and then sorted by a stern looking Jesus into two groups. The 'good' people go to Heaven, and then the 'bad' group well, I think we all know where they went. Again, no pictures allowed but it was also stunning and a bit terrifying. After this, I began the very long trek back to the exit. I will say this about the museum, it is a must see for a reason. There are incredible sculptures, frescos, and artifacts in a beautiful setting. Despite the crowds the Sistine Chapel really is amazing. I finally made it to the exit and back into rain. I got 'home' an hour later and was treated to another fabulous meal. I am really going to miss this woman's cooking.