After watching so many of movies related to Vatican City, such as Angels and Demons, sequel to the Da Vinci Code, I've-finally-had-a-chance-to-see-Vatican City-MYSELF!
Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee~~~
乂⍲‿⍲乂
In essence, the Vatican City is one of the most sacred places in Christendom, filled with great history and unique collections of artistic and architectural masterpieces.
One of the places we visited was Saint Peter's Square (Italian: Piazza San Pietro). It houses St. Peter's Basilica and the pope's residence. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is a veritable gallery replete with the works of renaissance’s greatest artists, such as Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno.
St. Peter's Square
Photo taken in year 1909
(photo credit to Wikipedia)
Next, there's the Obelisk. This 25-meter-high sculpture stands tall right at the center of St. Peter’s Square. The Obelisk came from Egypt, and was brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula back in 36 AD. It was later installed at the heart of the square and now serves as a sundial. How? Tourists are able to tell that it’s noon already when the shadow of the obelisk falls on the white marble discs on the pavement.
The Obelisk
As for the Colonnade, this attraction was made by Bernini as the entrance to the square itself. It stretches up to 340 meters. Its balustrade carrying 140 sculptures of saints illustrates, for Bernini, how the church embraces the entire humanity.
The Colonnade
Well, let's put an end to historical facts and move on to our journey!
Our first stop: Vatican museum
Yea~~ Our entrance tickets
This is what Sistine Chapel looks like
My apologies for having this illustration only as
we weren't allowed to take photos in the hall
A little note:
The Sistine Chapel is the most famous building in the Vatican, after St. Peter’s. Frescoes by Raphael, Bernini, Botticelli and others adorn the walls–and on the ceiling, one of the great masterpieces in the history of art: Michelangelo’s early 16th century depiction of scenes from the Book of Genesis.
Sistine's Chapel ceiling is covered with
Michaelangelo's frescoes
The Last Judgement Day
Amazing view of St. Peter's Dome behind. The dome was crafted by Michaelangelo
Drinkable water from fountain
Amazing carvings
and sculptures
Beautiful tapestry
Another hallway
Such marvelously carved ceiling with golden hues
Entrance to Sistine Chapel
A little peek inside
We were in St. Basilica
Photo taken with Carmela ♥
Oooo!
I caught Crepuscular rays in St. Peter's Basilica!
Interior of the Dome
The altar with Bernini's baldacchino
Out of the museum, two cute Swiss Guards spotted
Maderno’s façade
Here's a closer illustration of Maderno’s façade
Interesting huh?
Statue of St. Peter in front of Maderno’s façade
Us at St. Peter's Square
It's beautiful!
Do click here for more information about St. Peter's Square and area.
That was an eventful day in Vatican City. Oh! One more thing, make sure you have your legs covered before your will be let in. Also, do google on how to avoid long queues like this:
Cheers people!
*wink*
