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Member since:11.07.2007
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VATICAN INTRODUCTION ------------------------------------ Vatican Museums so called Musei Vaticani in Italian languague, famous for its art and sculptures. It dates back to 16th century.
MY TRIP TO VATICAN ------------------------------ We had been to Italy in the Month of June 2007. It was on a saturday we made our visit to Vatican City. We read lot of articles describing the queue hence we planned our visit sometime early morning (around 8).
HOW TO ------------ Rome is well connected. To get around rome by Metro (train) and bus is very easy.
There are basically two lines. Metroline B (Blue Line) and Metroline A(Red Line). Metroline A goes to Vatican City. You need to depart at Cipro/Musei Vaticani station.
MY EXPERIENCE ------------------------ We actually planned to take Metroline. But unfortunately there was some accident in the metroline on the day of our visit and Metroline A was closed. We had to look for an alternative. We anyway had enough details about bus routes. We then took Bus Route No.64 from Termini(main railstation) and got down near St.Peter's Basilica (worlds' largest Basilica).
St.Peter's Basilica and Vatican Museum are not too far. It is easy to locate. It was 10 A.M by the time we reached St.Peters Basilica. There is an information centre just outside the basilica and on the way to Vatican Museums.
QQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQQUEUE ------------------------------------------------- We proceeded further in just 10 steps we joined the Queue. Oh God !!! I have never seen such a Queue. It ran for miles. It was a sunny day and we had a tough time standing in the queue. You will have to Queue up on the pavement of main road and no place to rest you feet. We spent our time watching the traffic.
WHAT - WHILE IN QUEUE ------------------------------------ Lot of Gelatto (Icecream) shops located just opposite to the road. People were grabbing icecreams and passing time. Near the shop there are small walls where you can sit and relax your feet. If you are in a group you can cross the road and sit for sometime on a rotational basis (you have to have someone standing in the queue).
While in Queue, You can see vendors selling things, restaurant people advertising their restaurants to you. You can go through the article about Vatican Museums.
It took solid 3 hours for us to get into the Vatican Museums. No online reservations...too bad.
MUSEUMS --------------- There are lot of Museums inside like Egyptian Musuem, Archaeological findings - Etruscan Museum etc., It took 2 hours for us to go through the Musuem.
Have your snacks and drinks before entering the museum. You will hardly find a place to sit inside the Museum. Once you get in you will lose yourself... What an art ?!!!
NOT TO MISS: -------------------- Map Gallery (hall) view is amazing... Dont miss to take a snap here.
The Staircase on your way back is worth capturing too.
Sistine Chapel, the official residence of Pope - breath taking. You can find 'Creation of Adam' painting in the ceiling of Sistine Chapel. Wow!!! We did not close our mouths...astonishing.
DOs & DONTs --------------------
You are not allowed to take snaps inside Sistine Chapel .You are supposed to observe silence.
If you find a group tour, just stay back and let them go or go before them, otherwise you will find it difficult to see things in the crowd.
Get an audio guide. Markings are clear. But there are lots...anyway you will not have time to listen to each and everything. Concentrate only on important things.
Once you are out of the Museum dont miss to visit St.Peters Basilica. You are not allowed to go with short skirt and sleeveless shirts. Beware.
Either plan your visit early in the morning or late afternoon.
Jul 13th, 2007
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