We started the day by getting up early and crossing the city by subway for a 3 hour tour of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. More on those in a moment.
The tour started with the Vatican museums.
* Lots of great artwork focused on the Trinity - expected and amazing
* Lots of great artwork on Biblical figures and stories - expected and amazing
* Lots of great artwork on the Catholic saints and church history - expected and amazing
* Paintings where the saint's face was actually that of the commissioning Pope - not so expected, but not so surprising.
* Statues of pagan gods - not so expected
* Raphael's works (the size of a full wall) that include religious leaders, political leaders, and Raphael's mistress - whoa, no so expected
* One official was critical of the nudity in Michelangelo's paintings, so his image landed naked in hell in the Last Judgment in the Sistine Chapel. Surprise - don't hack off the artist.
The idea that Catholic church leaders over 2 thousand years are imperfect people who are trying to find God and meaning in their lives just like the rest of us comes as no surprise. That so much gritty detail is captured on the walls and in the statues in its most important building comes as a bit more unexpected. I guess I've forgotten some detail from my college humanities class.
As for the Sistine Chapel, the ceiling. The room could probably comfortably hold 2000 people, and there were probably an extra 2000 in there. That the ceiling is 68 feet above you and you are reminded that it was painted 500 years ago on fresco (which requires speed as the plaster dries) - the entire thing is a masterpiece of astonishing scope, scale and difficulty.
In the cavernous St. Peter's Basilica, is Michelangelo's Pieta. He made 4, but this is the one everyone thinks of. Sadly now behind glass, I remember in 1972 when it was attacked. So also I remember thinking at the time I would never see any great work of art such as this (you don't imagine going there when you live in the U.P - at least I didn't). So seeing it so close was quite overwhelming.
In the afternoon we went to the Colosseum. I found it to be a bit like going to Mount Vernon - not like a museum - an opportunity to be immersed in history.
In the evening we walked from the Forum (which had closed) to the Trevi fountain (which was under scaffolding being restored). It was a beautiful evening for a walk - and we happened upon lots of cool ruins along the way.
I want more and more pictures! They are amazing. I had forgotten that there was a complex of passages underground in the coliseum. Can't wait to hear all that you learned about everything!!!!!!
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