All three of these are within Vatican City. I want to share a few things I learned, and may give an opinion or two. I am not Catholic by faith, and so my observations may be different from that of a devout Catholic.
First I need to explain our visit was in the middle of tourist season, and it was HOT! Along with that are throngs of people. You can visit without a tour guide, but the wealth of information, and the experience of maneuvering about cannot be replaced. Ours was a three hour tour and was arranged by the Hotel Alimandi.
As you walk to the Vatican you will see many street vendors. One of the items they sell are scarves. That is not by accident. I read the information about the tour, so I was not taken by surprise and did not need one of those scarves. But many did. Shoulders were not allowed to be bare, and knees could not be showing. So the quickest solution for many was to buy a scarf or two to cover up.
There are also rules about where pictures can be taken. Mostly, it is okay everywhere except for in the Sistine Chapel. We saw them being taken there, but we didn’t. But for some reason after we got into the lobby, and some of the group had scattered to go to the restroom before returning to the meeting place, a guard came up to Daren, (my photographer husband), and wanted to see what was on the camera with the pictures he just took. The guide came back before the guard saw it, and then when he did, he said okay. ?? She said it wasn’t against the rules, and sometimes a guard wants to feel important. And sometimes in the different areas of Vatican City they are real strict, and sometimes not. In the Sistine Chapel some of the employee guards would yell something occasionally, but since they only spoke Italian, and the whole world was there, most don’t understand what they say.
The architecture was fabulous, the sculptures, and paintings covered the entire area, on walls and ceilings. I am glad they have been preserved to view today. But, I couldn’t help thinking about all the money that was spent to make the Vatican city a showplace of art. Much of it was done for one pope to outshine the previous pope in the ostentatiousness of the decoration. What if that money would have been put to good use to help the people in charity, and leading them to God?
The Pope who reigned at the time of Michael Angelo, insisted he paint the Sistine Chapel even though Michael had not touched a paint brush since he was 14. As you will remember, he was known for his sculptures. Michael turned the appointment down, only to be told by the Pope that he would attack Michael’s hometown of Florence if he didn’t do it.
Michael started, but had never painted on plaster before and wasn’t familiar with the technique. His paint would not stick, and sometimes fall off the ceiling in large pieces. Michael Angelo was known for his temper, and threw all his paints and brushes at the ceiling, and returned to Florence.
When the Pope found out about this, he called Michael to return and meet with him. They came to an agreement that 60 helpers would be hired. Apparently he learned the secret of mixing some plaster in with the paint so it would adhere. But because of his temper, within a month he fired all 60 helpers and continued to paint on his own. It only took him four years to complete his paintings. Later he was hired to do sculptures.
Temper or no temper, I am glad he completed the magnificent work. Here are some pictures of Vatican City.
After the visit, I was waiting for Daren to retrieve a bag from the check in room, and was standing near the entrance. The Vatican employees at the entrance do not speak English and would not allow visitors with bare shoulders to enter, and were trying to explain it by motioning something draped over the shoulders. For two separate parties, I had to explain what they were saying, and suggest that maybe draping a scarf would be the answer. Okay, I found a new job, but would I be hired by the Vatican, or the street vendors??
Globe Trottin Granny
Would I make a better Vatican employee, or an undercover vendor employee?
Related Post: Hotel Alimandi
Kathleen, you are way too funny, and your post is sooooo entertaining. Just like being there with the tourists. Thank you for sharing with us your wonderful tour of the Vatican. I must agree with you regarding cost investment in the art as opposed to actually doing the godly thing giving to charity for those inmpovrished. But that’s the ways of the world, isn’t it? Those in power versus those in dire need. Nothing new there. Even the bribery of the artists by principalities, same today. Looking foward to the end of the age. (oppression and enslavement) 2012. Even the Mayans knew this age had to end and 2012 is a good year. Afterward, a New Age begins with the People free and peaceful as was intended. Will see Liguria and the Gulf of Poets by year’s end. Celebrating the beginning of new age in Italy, where else.