February 20, 2013 Update Pre-Conclave Weeks in Vatican
Don't try to enter Vatican City in the next few weeks, security has been tightened up. If you are going to the Pharmacy, be sure you have a doctor's prescription...or the Swiss Guards, kindly but firmly , will send you away.
February is the best month for visiting museums in Italy, including one in the "foreign country" known as Vatican City State. Vatican has its own money, telephone and postal systems and even license plates like this one on a vehicle parked at the new Museum entrance.
SCV stands for Stato Città Vaticano or as malignant Vatican watchers say, "Se Cristo Vedesse", ("If Christ could only see!").
For years I have put off a nostalgic visit to the Museums due to tourists' tales of endless lines at both St. Peter's Basilica (my former "parish") and the Museums.
Forums are clogged with discussions on the best time of day to attempt a visit and tour agencies and private guides have become wealthy selling "skip the lines" tours.
The photos taken during our visit are evidence that Wednesday mornings in January and February are preferable for a leisurely, in-depth, independent visit.
Most of the visitors to the Vatican on Wednesdays are taking in the Papal Audience in the hall on the other side of the tiny country.
One can get upclose to the works of art, enjoy the frescoes and statuary.
The guards are not hassled and more lenient with the "one-way" rules.
Beyond the spacious atrium where audio guides are available, there are abundant souvenir and book stalls, new coffee shops and a new Vatican Archives shop with replicas of important historical documents.
I noticed letters from Abraham Lincoln, FD Roosevelt and replicas of coins and medals of emperors, kings and saints.
Vatican Archives researcher Barbara Frale, who lives in nearby Orte, found documents explaining the true story of the Templar Knights and the resulting special edition is available here for a mere 6000 euro.
Replica copies on vellum of the documents concerning King Henry VIII's divorce (of the 200 printed, one went to Queen Elizabeth II) are now out of print.
I am proud that the translator of the document used my library to help with her work .
How to avoid cultural indigestion and Stendhal Syndrome? My advice is to pinpoint one or two special places to visit and not try to see everything.
Don't forget to visit my website for more insider tips.
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| My local museum on a sunny February morning |
February is the best month for visiting museums in Italy, including one in the "foreign country" known as Vatican City State. Vatican has its own money, telephone and postal systems and even license plates like this one on a vehicle parked at the new Museum entrance. SCV stands for Stato Città Vaticano or as malignant Vatican watchers say, "Se Cristo Vedesse", ("If Christ could only see!").
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| The sun filled atrium, new Museum entrance. Where are the crowds ? |
Forums are clogged with discussions on the best time of day to attempt a visit and tour agencies and private guides have become wealthy selling "skip the lines" tours.
 |
| Time and space to enjoy the details |
Most of the visitors to the Vatican on Wednesdays are taking in the Papal Audience in the hall on the other side of the tiny country.
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| Masterpiece in the outdoor Sculpture courtyard |
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| Sistine Chapel without crowds: Michelangelo's Last Judgement and ceiling |
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| Raphael's "School of Athens" with philosopher Ipazia of Alexandria |
Beyond the spacious atrium where audio guides are available, there are abundant souvenir and book stalls, new coffee shops and a new Vatican Archives shop with replicas of important historical documents.
I noticed letters from Abraham Lincoln, FD Roosevelt and replicas of coins and medals of emperors, kings and saints.
 |
| Original Papal bull with wax signature seals concerning Henry VIII's divorce |
Vatican Archives researcher Barbara Frale, who lives in nearby Orte, found documents explaining the true story of the Templar Knights and the resulting special edition is available here for a mere 6000 euro.
Replica copies on vellum of the documents concerning King Henry VIII's divorce (of the 200 printed, one went to Queen Elizabeth II) are now out of print.
I am proud that the translator of the document used my library to help with her work .
 |
| Signposts show the way to many, varied sections of the Vatican Museums |
Don't forget to visit my website for more insider tips.
Last night, the Smithsonian channel on cable here had a special on Michelangelo. We were both surprised to learn he died at 81 and that he painted "The Last Judgment" on the Sistine wall when he was 61. Pope Paul III had this painted to warn all the reformers (like Luther) that they would be going to hell for walking away from the church.
ReplyDeleteMichelangelo was given special permission for Holy Year 1550 to ride a donkey to the 7 different churches,thus gaining the Plenary Indulgence, instead of doing the rounds on foot.
ReplyDeleteMore info on his life here: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo_Buonarroti#La_serie_delle_Piet.C3.A0_.281550-1555_circa.29
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