Looking for the Pope at the Vatican City

The Vatican City (known as the Apostolic Palace)

Although we have read about it books....nothing prepared me for the real thing. Home to the biggest church (size of building) in the world, its seems to be a place where religious, cultural, arts and history meets.

The crowds visiting the Vatican daily (except on days it is closed) are enormous.....better to wake up early and line up or buy a prepaid ticket....in order for us to get in quickly we paid DOUBLE the price for a tour group entry ticket!!! (we had initially thought that the ROME PASS could get us in but the Vatican is not part of ROME!)

The Vatican Museum was interesting with a vast collection of art pieces from some of the greatest artists that ever lived - paintings, sculptures, tapestry...in fact, there's a large tapestry based on Leonardo Da Vincci's The Last Supper (a piece that was mentioned in Dan Brown's fiction - the Da Vincci Code).

Transport for the Popes!

Around the Vatican grounds!

Ar



There were some compartments in the Vatican City (they call it the apartments) where the pope stayed ...and the walls and ceilings these apartments are painted by legendary painters, among them Michaelangelo.

The Sistine Chapel's roof is drawn by the famous Rapheal ......right in the middle is the drawing of Man and God. It's really funny, there was suppose to be no photographs allowed in the Sistine Chapel, but when we were there...the place was SUPER CROWDED...and everyone was just clicking away. The guards shouted a couple of times " NO PHOTOGRAPHY PLS "....but were ignored...even by us.....we just couldn't resist!!! ....the ROOM WAS AMAZING!

p/s Did anyone notice that the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are named after famous painters!!!!????!!
We spent about 6 hours at the Vatican City, but I could have happily spent more time there, although nope, I couldn't say that I have met the Pope. :)