Rome Day 3

15th Dec 2009

Today we woke up late... maybe its the late night movie in the hotel and too much munching. Anyway, I have pre-booked a vatican museum tour today and the timing is supposed to be 1030hr but as we woke up late, we only managed to reach the Vatican City around 1045hr. Anyway, we are told that our ticket is still valid for another guided tour but it will only start around 1200hr, so we just hang around that area and did some souvenir shopping. Our guided tour only includes The Vatican Museum or Musee Vaticani. You can either stop at the Ottaviano Metro or Cipro metro. The guided tour package includes the entrance ticket for the museum, so you don't have to pay any extras. The package is not cheap though at €30 per pax but the tour is worth it, otherwise, you will be wandering around wondering. The breakdown of the €30 package are as follow:

Full price museum ticket - €14.00
Group tour - Ear phones - €1.50
Reservation fee - €4.00
Guide - €10.50

Although it may be pricey, but let me assure you its worth your while and you can get it at the Vatican City's official site at here for official site and here for English official site. If you struggle to find where the guided tour is... it is here.

Some information regardin gthe museum in brief are as follow (Source: Wikipedia). The Vatican Museums are among the greatest museums in the world (According to my own source, the 3rd largest after The British Museum and The Lourve), since they display works from the immense collection built up by the Roman Catholic Church throughout the centuries. Pope Julius II founded the museums in the 16th century. The Sistine Chapel (Or "Sixteen". No photography allowed in side and the chapel where the election of the Pope took place i.e. Conclave) and the Stanze della Segnatura (Better known as the Raphael Room) decorated by Raphaelo Santi are on the visitor route through the Vatican Museums.

We spent the whole day in the museum and lets let the photo talk otherwise it will be a naggy piece of post.

Our Vatican Museum tour guide - Sarah


This shot was taken at the entrance... can recall the story.

Geez... Can't recall the story of this too!

Hah! I remember this one. This is Laocoon and his Sons
bitten by the serpents sent by Apollo! This is supposedly
the first piece of art that sees to the start of the Vatican Museum!

This is the torso of Belvedere, the earliest known
sculpture. Michaelangelo was said to draw inspiration
from this art piece for Jesus'body posture in his
famous "The Last Judgement" painting found
in the Sistine Chapel's altar.
**I personally found the Jesus'posture in
The Last Judgement to resemble more of Venus'**

Hercules cast in bronze. There are not many
huge statues that are cast in bronze like this one.
This statue has been struck by thunder and according
to old tradition, it must be buried. Fortunately,
due to that, this statue is preserved
in great condition!
**It is easy to recognise Hercules. He always has a
club and the famous lion's skin!**

The beautiful frescoes along the map museum

I am not into painting, so don't really recall
who's work is this... the only this I know is that, it is beautiful.

The same goes to this beautiful painting.
There is a head on the platter, I believe it is
St. Alexander or someone else... tempted to say
that it is John the Baptist.

The frescoes'maiden in Raphael's Room.
The following four maidens are supposed to be
the 4 pillars of the Popeship. First, Rulership.

Second, Justice.

Third, Education/Wisdom.

Fourth, Spirituality.
I hope I got it all correct, Sarah.

Beautiful stained glass window... Who's work is this?

The courtyard at the entrance to the Vatican Museum.

The spiralling exit staircase. Don't let your mind/structure fooled you.
It is NOT one staircase, but TWO! Didn't know staircase can be this beautiful!

DIY sandwich lunch at the Piazza St. Pietro or St. Peter's Square.
This place is littered with pigeons and its good to bring bread
whenever you go to have a good time feeding the pigeons.

Do enjoy the rest of the photos of the famous St Peter's church

The Interior of St Peter's Basilica is huge and there is no way to
take a complete picture of it except to chop it into pieces

The altar in St Peter's Basilica

The ordination of St Peter

The St Peter's Square on black and white

St Peter's Square taken at blue hour

**Note: All rights reserved. If you like any photos found in this blog or would like to engage me in any assignment, please e-mail me for more details at seage79@gmail.com.