Rome part 2 - The Vatican - photos of sightseeing in Rome on Worldisround

Rome part 2 - The Vatican

Open me first & minimize to have background music: http://www.imeem.com/people/hD9877/music/vc_yypNM/connie_dover_ubi_caritas/

This photo journal, the 2nd of two in my Rome series, features the Vatican, specifically the Vatican Museums, & St Peter's Basilica. We visited the awesome Sistine Chapel but we were not allowed to take any photos at all.

VATICAN CITY: ... (more)

VATICAN MUSEUMS - at or near
the entrance to the 2nd floor galleries. The Vatican Museums are a...

Tapestry Gallery (tg) - ceilings
The tapestry gallery has an exquisite collection of 15th to 17th...

tg2 - closeup of ceilings
These intricately frescoed ceilings are painted in Trompe L'Oeil*...

One of many sculptures
I don't remember which room this was in. We saw a lot in a short...

The Map Gallery (mg) - my favorite
The Gallery of Maps, with its breathtaking frescoed ceilings, takes its name...

mg2 - another section
The gallery is 120m long & it took Danti three years (1580–1583) to...

mg3 - closeup
The decorations on the striking vaulted ceilings here are the work of...

I think we saw this dome
just before we entered St Peter's Basilica.

ST PETER'S BASILICA - Michelangelo's
famous dome. It was only completed to the base when he died. It was later...

Another dome
At over six acres in area, St Peter's is the largest church on...

Awesome ceilings
The vastness & beauty of the interior is almost indescribable. The total...

Ornate walls & arches
Some of the gigantic paintings inside the Basilica may look like oil...

St. Helen
was the mother of Constantine. She converted to Christianity & performed...

St Andrew
St. Andrew was the brother of St. Peter & the first disciple called by...

St Peter's Square, courtyard
St. Peter's Square, in front of the basilica, is perhaps one of the most...

St Peter's Basilica facade
The front entrance to the basilica has a wide flight of steps in three tiers...

Closer
The Basilica has 5 doors. The central one, preserved from the original...

Another angle

Clock corner

One of the ornate clocks.

Another part of the square
The lighter building on the right is apparently the Popes' residence.

Vatican guards, in the small square
outside the Vatican walls. The Pontifical Swiss Guard was founded by...

This time helping a priest

Typical area building in the square

article published 10/10/2008

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A masterpiece, Rainy!
Words cannot describe the majesty, variety and intricacy of the Vatican museums, but you have done an exceptional job of it. I'm sure every reader will thank you for these photos and the references you have included with the texts and captions.
— Fred Perry, October 15, 2008

I also love the gallery of maps as well. Your photos are stunning and convey the opulence of these institutions well.
— Ben Hsu, October 13, 2008

These photos are some of the best I have seen taken at the Vatican Museums and corridors. Great outdoor shots as well despite an overcast sky. Well done Rainy .
— Margaret Sherwood, October 11, 2008

Jon,
The Pope was out of town..... ;o)
— Lorraine Brecht, October 10, 2008

gallery of maps is my favorite too.. kinda makes me feel i am in a space ship..i see you observed the loose rule of not taking photos in the sistine chapel.. i didn't really appreciate the swiss guard's uniform.. too 'clowny' for such a prestigious position..:-) ... and where's the photo with the Pope????
— Jon J. Tan, October 10, 2008

Beautiful photos
Awesome pictures. Well done.
— Jimmy, October 10, 2008