Rome - Day 1 - The Vatican Museum & Sistine Chaple

Jun 24

Jun 24 Rome - Day 1 - The Vatican Museum & Sistine Chaple

An finally after the craziness and spellbinding beauty of the south, first day in my most anticipated city ROME and I was trying hard to get out of the lazy beach relaxing Amalfi coast. Stepping out at Termini I just wanted to get to my hotel after the long morning hopping trains through the south of Italy. A good 20 minute walk in over 30 degree weather and I made my way to my boutique art hotel on Via Veneto and it really is worth the price. My little extra treat to myself for the last leg of my trip at Residenzia A The Boutique Art Hotel, la dolce vita indeed (the sweet life).

The realisation that I can actually unpack here was quite refreshing since it was the first place i was staying for a longer time - 7 days in Rome. I manage a quick shower (you seriously feel like it at least 2-3 times a day with the heat) and make my way to walk towards the Vatican museum for my night time tour.

My first views of Rome were at dusk and it was quite beautiful, I manage to stop by the Spanish steps and walk down Via Condotti towards the river to cross over. As I reach the water I get my first glimpse of Saint Peters Basilica, and it's big, right there crisscrossing through the bridges of Ponte Umberto I'm right in front of the tribunal court house (I assume) which is beautiful, then down and across Ponte Sant Angelo viewing them all as I walk past the Castel Sant Angelo which is massive. Then the final cross over from Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II.

Walking down Via Della Conciliazione you can see the rows of street lights on either side leading right to the Saint Peter's Basilica which adorns the end of the long street in all it's glory. And there I was, ready for my night tour of the Vatican Museum. My friend helped book the tour for me with Dark Tours and it was really good, the guide knew so much and it was so fascinating to hear the history and past of what has become one of the largest religions in the world.

The Gathering spot in front of St Peter's Basilica

The tour covered a lot of the Museum from the Sistine Chapel to Upper Galleries of the Vatican Museums including the Gallery of the Tapestries and Candelabra, as well as the Hall of the Maps, the Octogonal Court, and Raphael's Rooms, which were all amazing, that is of course if you like museums :)

Courtyard between building within the Vatican

The Sistine Chapel - I'm not really sure how to describe this, most of you would have read much better and deeper descriptions of this spectacular piece of art, but what i can say is Michelangelo was a genius. A glimpse here for you, I am clearly a lover of that era, even though I am not religious at all, I simply cannot help but marvel at how they went about painting such intricate designs on walls of buildings. I was left speechless after hearing how Michelangelo was actually tasked with this job and how he completed it, along with leaving some fun subtle signs of himself mocking the institution in his art, that millions of people stare at year after year.

This vast institution that holds some of the most prised art possessions in our history was my first visit in Rome and it was just one glimpse into the glory of Rome.