Rome part 6

The Sistine Chapel was always at the top of my list of things to see in Rome. Michelangelo was a genius. To get to it, you have to go through a few other rooms with art by people like Raphael and Bernini. The whole Vatican museum was very impressive.

You’re not allowed to take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel, and it’s a rule they take seriously. I saw a few people try to sneak out their cameras and the guards were on them right away. You can’t get any good shots anyway unless you have a very good camera. The room is too dark without flash and flash won’t work because the ceiling is too far away. You can take pictures in the main hall of St Peter’s church, but they don’t want you to use flash.

After waiting in a very long line to get into the church, we waited in a very long line to go to the top of the huge dome. There’s an elevator that goes to the top, but that line was ridiculous. Instead, we waited in a shorter line to climb up hundreds of stairs. At the end you’re in a very narrow spiral staircase with hundreds of other people. It’s too small to stop and take a break and too crowded to let others pass. Getting to the top was hell, but the views of Rome were heavenly.

We went to St Angelo’s Castle on the way to St Peter’s, but it paled in comparison. It’s pretty good as far as ancient forts go, but St Peter’s is one of the architectural wonders of the world.


St Peter's Square

Michelangelo's Pieta

St Angelo’s Castle