The Vatican 2024

[Owen Lucas]

A few pictures from my trip to Italy. We started off at the Vatican. It is truly an amazing place. Spending 1 whole day is not enough to see everything.

I highly recommend a private guided audio tour. Our tour provided access to the dome at St. Peter's Basilica, the crypt below the church, Vatican museums, and Sistine Chapel. We met at 7am at the rotunda and a line was already forming, the line moved quickly though.

Sistine Chapel

Hall of maps as part of the museum.

 

[vavavroom]

Very nice. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Patman]

My ex girlfriend is on an amazing Mediterranean cruise right now and she was at the Vatican a few days ago and the pictures and videos she showed me were amazing! It’s a trip that I want to make myself someday

 

[gman2304]

Wow! Amazing! Watched the midnight mass on TV last night.

 

[Owen Lucas]

Here's a few extra from the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and Sant'Ignazio Church.

I noticed a staircase in the ticket office which the agent confirmed provided roof access to the dome. She would not let me go up, I presume VIP only access.

Trevi Fountain. Best time to go is early in the morning, like 2 am. Otherwise getting a picture is very difficult.

"The waters of the Trevi Fountain are supplied by the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct built by Agrippa, the art patron of Emperor Augustus, in 19 BC, to supply water to his baths. This connection to ancient Roman infrastructure highlights the continuity of Rome's history into the present."

Sant'Ignazio Church

Amazing artwork throughout. What is notable is the faux dome, painted into the ceiling as the project ran out of money for a real dome, so a simulation was painted instead.

 

[CharBaby]

Very nice photos. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Carmudgeon]

The Vatican is an amazing place, just for the art and grandeur. Like a lot of places in Europe.

But I'd advise against going anytime during the high seasons, if possible, when places are insanely crowded, like a zoo and booking a tour, any tour, is the only way to get in, unless you've reserved tickets well in advance.

The Trevi fountain has just reopened, and they've instituted crowd control measures.

The Colosseum and Roman Forum are also impressive, in their own ways.

Seeing places like these, from history long passed, puts a lot into perspective.