Did I really want to go to the Vatican Museum? Expecting nothing I took the metro to Ottaviano. It was not difficult to know which way to go, I just followed the crowds and after about five minutes I was confronted with the huge walls of the Vatican City.
Signs point you in the right direction, which is following the wall up a gentle slope to the entrance of the Museum. The first thing that struck me was how modern the interior was the second was the length of the queue (about 40 mins). While waiting in line you get a taste of how efficiently run the Vatican is, this was the only museum in Italy where the staff seemed not only regimented but very neatly turned out in a Vatican uniform.
Unlike all the other museums around Italy there is no free entrance for students, although I did try. There are over four miles of galleries to go through before you get to see the Sistine Chapel. I had read that there are short cuts but I didn’t see them. If this is a first visit don’t be tempted to skip the whole tour.
There is only one way round and doubling back is not easy. There are many different rooms to go through as you wind your way round – the Sistine is the Holy Grail and it seems from listening in to others that it was the main reason for their visit. I will briefly tell you that there is a mixture of Egyptian, Roman and Greek statues, tapestries and paintings that did not have any real impact on me. Something that did was the Map Room. The huge maps painted onto the walls date to around 1580 and show an amazing insight as to what was known of the world then, and are stunningly beautiful, the colours and gold used are as alive as when they were first painted. These are one reason why I am glad I did not choose the short cut.
There is a gallery which houses comptemorary paintings and statues but I think the 70’s is a better description. As you wander through the galleries all the windows were open and I followed many people’s curiosity and peered out hoping to see a couple of Cardinals taking it easy on sun loungers with a cocktail in their hand but sorry to report nothing except immaculate lawns and a litter free well maintained buildings. As you walk round do not forget to look up the ceiling are beautifully painted and decorated.
Finally, I came to the Sistine Chapel, a word of warning here you will not be allowed in with bare shoulders or shorts (I had read that knees should be covered). Photographs are not allowed in here due I read to a clause by the Japanese television company who funded the restoration. The Sistine chapel after all the other treasures is hard to appreciate entirely I felt. The Chapel itself is dimly lit and is packed with people looking to the ceiling and admiring what took one man Michael Angelo four years of his life to paint.
The Vatican Museum is run as a business and everything is beautifully displayed. One area that they seem to fall short on is the Café/snack area, which is situated half way round and is located by a side door into a small two level outdoor court yard. Seating and tables are worn white patio sets and the food and drink are bought from one main counter where there is a choice of soft canned drinks and cellophane wrapped rolls, ice creams and a couple of other snacks which are reasonably priced.
Opening hours and entrance fee. I suggest you check both these before going as they tend to change from time to time. Another tip, which is worth checking out, is that the last Sunday in each month is free.
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