European Extravaganza-- Day Two-- The Vatican Museum & St. Peter's Basilica!

Perhaps the Vatican needs no introduction. The center of Catholicism, and encompassing the Vatican City state, as well as the surrounding Roman neighborhoods of the Vaticano, Prati, and Monte Mario, this small slice of the city is packed with more history and artwork than most cities in the world. Vatican City is the latest and only current Papal state in existence and the temporal seat of the Pope. The Vatican is the world's smallest state situated within the city of Rome.

 

 

 

 

 

The photographer (Ben) was told along with the rest of us no pictures could be taken

inside the chapel but of course the Benny we all know is a rebel so he secretly took some

-- hence the fuzziness! ;)

 

 

 Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope. They wear very colourful clothing, similar to the uniforms worn by Renaissance era soldiers. The Pontifical Swiss Guards is also the smallest and oldest standing army in the world.

 

Next, we hit St. Peter's Basilica. The centre of the Catholic world, this magnificent basilica has a dome designed by Michelangelo. This place is huge! The interior height is 38 1/2 feet from the floor to the top of dome. You can fit the Statue of Liberty underneath the dome with room to spare. Aside from going inside, you can take an elevator up to the roof and then make a long climb up steps to the top of the dome for an incredible view. There are a lot of stairs (323 to be exact) so it is not for the faint at heart (literally or figuratively) nor the claustrophobic as the very last section of the ascent is through a little more than shoulder-width spiral staircase. You can also go down into the crypt to see the tomb of Pope John Paul II.