Whose been to the Vatican?

[ChavezSpeakstheTruth]

We're gonna go there as part of our honeymoon. What's it like?

[trotsky]

1. So much opulence.

As an atheist, I looked at all the riches and artwork and architecture and was impressed but at the same time repulsed by what they could have accomplished with all that wealth.

Still, it is incredible to see some of that art in person. Nothing can prepare you for the Sistine Chapel.

[Wat_Tyler]

2. Ask Emad Aisat Sana.

She can't stop talking about the place. I guess she had a really meaningful spiritual experience there, or something.

[emad]

22. It's not so much The Vatican itself as a building or place of art

that I post about, more about the Administration - the Curia - that is a professional interest of mine as a journalist/writer specialising in Cold War corruption.

I have been there both privately as well as professionalloy. I recommend anyone wanting a private audience or special tour to write to their Bishop and ask if he can fix them up with something!

[Cary]

3. It's beautiful.

But Rome in general was not as nice as other places in Italy. If you've never been, do yourself a favor and go to Florence and Venice. The Amalfi Coast and Lake Como are awesome.

Italians are wonderful, joyous people. I'm jealous that you're going.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

4. very dramatic. opulent even garish. beautiful in its own way

vatican city has the best pizza!

[joeybee12]

5. Get up EARLY! Then stand in line to get into the Vatican Museums--you'll

see signs as the entrance is a good hike from the entrance to St. Peter's. Too much treasure there--almost obscene, but you gotta see it. Be sure to see all the Etruscan art and artifacts--best collection EVER! The Museums is where the ??? (cannot think of the damn name) Chapel is and Michelangelo's ceiling.

At the Basilica itself--spend a whole day looking at M's Pieta--only kidding, but some people miss it--to your right on the chapel as you enter.

AND be sure to pay to walk up the steps to the Dome. The steps are very narrow, but it gives you a great view of Rome, and you can see the statues (their backs) surrounding St. Peter's Square quite nicely.

[Lavender Brown]

6. Interesting

I visited on Easter, and the Pope spoke from his window. There were tons of people there even after the holiday. We went downstairs underneath the actual cathedral where the catabombs are, and it's quite creepy (I don't really know how to describe it - all the burial places of the popes and everything).

But the best thing is the Sistine Chapel. Of course, any place in Italy is nice to visit on a honeymoon!

[Florida_Geek]

7. Do not go in August

and if you go thru the museum look for little clues on which popes liked little boys.....

[Not Me]

8. I went there last year.

It was different from what I expected. And generally, not in a positive way.

St. Peters basilica is HUGE. And is basically a monument to past popes. There are coffins containing the remains of many of them on the sides of the building. There are only a few rows of actual pews for conducting mass at the central altar...unlike most churches I have seen with seating throughout the worship space.

The Sistine Chapel is in another part of the complex, you have to go out and around the block--past scores of homeless and physically handicapped people begging for money to keep them going. Once inside, there is a long queue to get to the Sistine, which takes you through the Sistine Museum. This was the most sickening display of wealth I have ever seen. Cabinet, upon cabinet of gold and jewels. Literally billions of dollars worth of precious metals and artwork. What bothered me was the arrogance with which it was displayed. When they would open up a cabinet, there were heavily armed guards nearby. Why bother?

Obtw, it costs $10 to get into the Sistine Museum/Chapel.

I was, however, blown away by the beauty of Michelangelo's work at the Sistine chapel.

Plan on a day there.
(Also, if you are in Rome on a civil holiday when the other sights are closed, that would be a good day to go to the Vatican, as they don't observe all the civil holidays.)

[DrZeeLit]

9. Italy... can be amazing!

Adore it!
The first time I went to the Vatican, it confirmed my status as a collapsed Catholic (way beyond lapsed). Just too much money while the poor suffer...

Tip: Go to St. Peter's in the morning and then the Vatican Museum (to see the Sistine Chapel) after 1pm. Always check if it's open. Lots of changes happen -- I took a day trip down from Firenze once and VI-OLA, the Pope was doing a big splash and everything was closed.... darn.

The book to follow -- Rick Steves. He has many. Go to your local bookstore (buy local!) and read through them. I do love "Mona Winks" for your own tour of any major museum in Europe. His tip is to cut it up and not take the whole book, just the pages you need.

Meanwhile..the art is fabulous. The ruins make your head spin. The traffic, the life, the whole feeling -- soak it in!

If you want a lot of info, go ahead and send me a personal email.
I was in Roma this time last year. Bellissimo!

[lil-petunia]

10. been there a couple of times.

Buy a tour of the Sistene chapel. The lines are way weigh too long otherwise. Mickie did good work on his back.

The Basilica is worth it alone. The art, the history, the bloody, evil hypocrites. Awesome. See if you can get into the library. (fat chance) especially the secret parts that are deemed to upsetting for mere mortals to read or study (Extraordinarily obscenely obese chance). They got stuff on black magic, spells, witchcraft, Hitler, how JC didn't really exist, the missing gospels, ie, the gay gospel, the happy gospel, the murder all jews gospel and the take over the world gospel.

Outside, find and climb down to see the chapel of skulls. (an underground Roman era chapel build out of skulls. Also, the bridge with all the statues.

Hey, heading out of V-city, cross the first major bridge. Continue in the same direction as the street gets a bit smalle. Just as the street makes a severe left turn start looking for a little tratoria right in front of you. You have to climb some stairs down. Bring cash, they take no plastic. They also serve the best meals, great drinks, and are wonderful hosts. Lots of the powers that be from V-city sneak in there for their most impotent meetings. Listen closely, if you speak Latin, Old Greek, or an obscure dialect from Rumanian.

[Beware the Beast Man]

11. I hear the streets are paved with the skulls of P2's enemies.

and the fountains gush red from the blood of infidels! :evilgrin:

[asthmaticeog]

13. It's true!

I found Danny Casolaro's fillings embedded in a side street.

[Beware the Beast Man]

14. And the palace of the Queen Spider is just breathtaking!

---great South Park episode, by the way!

[DrZeeLit]

12. Oh, p.s.

Lots more art in Roma than what you can find (and it's a lot) in the Vatican.

St. Peter in Chains -- Michelangelo's Moses -- is near the Coluseum. It's fabulous.

And yes, the Pieta... stunning. It ALWAYS makes me cry. I have no idea why... it's the awe of human creation. He was 23, I think, when he did this and supposedly the only piece he signed. Look on the sash across Mary.

Have fun! Eat! Drink!
OOOOH, eat gelati!!

[Bossy Monkey]

15. When I first saw St Peter's, the sun came out from behind a cloud

and I said, "Oh, hi God." :D

On the other hand, I went in and this American youth choir, who were identified by their t-shirts as some kind of evangelicals (sorry to be vague, but this was upwards of 15 years ago) got into formation in one of the side chapels (or maybe alcove would be a better word) and sang a little song to nobody at all. I could just tell that in their advertising back home, they were going to say, "We sang at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome!" Kind of robbed the visit of any majesty or pleasure.

[Say_What]

16. There in 1984 well worth going there IMHO

St. Peters Basilica: A lot of my education was in art/architecture so it was important for me to see it for those reaasons. Also for the art--the sculptures within St. Peters, etc. I climbed the stairs up to the cupola as well. On the way up you can go onto the roof where the statues are--they are huge, but standing in the piazza they look small. Best part--see all over Rome from the top. A LOT of steps, however.

Vatican Museum: Also went to the Vatican museum and the Sistine Chapel--it's very big and one could probably spend days there depending on interests. Here's a link to the museum that may help you decide.

http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html

Also, if you have the time and interest, about 20 miles outside of Rome is Ville d'Este--one of the finest examples of Italian Renaissance architectecture and gardens in Europe. When I was there in 1984, one of the 500 fountains still played Baroque music and the water works were just incredible. I got our there via a tour that also included Hadrian's villa--both were incredible for their history, sculpture, and fountains.

http://www.romeguide.it/MONUM/DINTORNI/tivoli/tivoli.htm

[Phillycat]

17. Little tip: women must wear a skirt (maybe pants) but not shorts.

And men cannot wear a sleeveless shirt.

[flamingyouth]

18. Totally freaking amazing

Incredible, opulent art. The size is overwhelming. La Pieta is sadly far behind glass after that lunatic attacked it.

I had a stiff neck for a week straight after being in the Sistine Chapel. I'd seen photos for years, but nothing compares to seeing in in person.

It is truly amazing. I was there in 2000 - the Jubilee year. The Pope drove by us when we were coming back from visiting the Catacombs. Rome is fantastic!

While you're there, don't miss Campo de Fiori. :hi:

[jonnyblitz]

19. me.I vaguely remember since it was the 80's when I was there.

I DO remember lots of art.

[no_hypocrisy]

20. What nobody else will tell you: lots of dead Popes under fireplace

mantles.

I mean it. Decomposing bodies surrounded by glass. Dressed in velvets and satins and gold. But still, dead Popes nontheless.

Other than that, La Pieta and the Sistine Chapel took away my breath.

[liontamer]

21. garish but interesting

good pizza. Women need to cover up to enter so keep that in mind. There isn't more than a day's worth of things to do.(maybe just a few hours?) the rest of rome is so much more beautiful.

[bif]

23. Right near the Vatican is a Capuchin monestary

That's not to be missed. It's quite small and the whole place is decorated with monk's bones. One room is filled with fingerbones which make a herringbone pattern. They use skills for oil lamps. It's truly one of the strangestt things I've ever seen.

[trigz]

24. Small, full of tourists, and there's a big church there...

If you want to see the Vatican Museum, be in queue before 7.30am or else prepare for a 150 metres long line awaiting you on arrival.

The Peter's Church is beyond description, the piazza is nice, but that's about it really.

...you'll have more fun in Rome which, as I hope you know, isn't too far away :D