Welcome to 2015's A–Z Challenge. This year I'm taking you on a tour of one of my favourite cities!

Saturday, 25 April 2015

V – Vatican

If you can, include a visit to the Vatican Museums on your schedule. Even better than that, pre-book your tickets and avoid the queues.

As one might expect, the various areas become busy – very busy. You’re able to do little other than to go with the flow. But eventually the corridors open up and you have time enjoy the exhibits, especially the ceilings.

I’ve visited a few stately homes in my time. I’ve also been to Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle. None can compete with the ceilings of the Vatican Museums. It isn’t just one room or one section – all of the ceilings are beautifully ornate, each a masterpiece in its own right.

Eventually you are fed through a very narrow door and into what is possibly the most highly anticipated exhibit – Cappella Sistina, the Sistine Chapel.

This is the one area where photos are not allowed. As much as I love taking photos, I wasn’t prepared to be thrown out for disobeying that rule – so I am unable to share anything. Hopefully the other images offer some compensation.

Posted by
Labels:

10 comments:

  1. Anonymous25 April 2015 at 01:00

    This is a cool theme, are you a native of Rome? If not, you are quite the traveler !

    ReplyDelete
  2. Birgit25 April 2015 at 04:24

    Again I would love to see this. I have a beautiful book all about the Vatican and its art. I am so glad it is here but I giggle since they are supposed to take a vow of poverty. Oopsy for you that they threw you out. I know that taking pictures of art destroys the paintings-the flash ages the painting quickly like it is under direct sun.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Helen Baggott 25 April 2015 at 11:01

      I wasn't thrown out. You are allowed to take photos without a flash anywhere within the museums, except the Chapel. I wouldn't break any rules - as much as I enjoy taking photos, the rules are there to protect the art.

      Delete
    2. Birgit26 April 2015 at 00:57

      oops my mistake and glad you were not thrown out:) I read it wrong:)

      Delete
    3. Helen Baggott 26 April 2015 at 11:31

      Don't worry! There were plenty of people taking photos in the Chapel - and you often see unofficial ones on-line. But I have a clear conscience. It almost makes it more special that I don't have my own photo.

      Delete
  3. Faye North25 April 2015 at 17:53

    I always follow the rules too. But in many places they have loosened up (the Uffizi and Accademia Galleries in Florence now allow photos without flash). Those ceilings at the Vatican are amazing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Helen Baggott 25 April 2015 at 18:24

      Yes, it's lovely to be able to take the photos - and today's cameras don't always need a flash.

      Delete
  4. Tigermouse27 April 2015 at 23:04

    I just love the ceiling in the long map gallery leading to the Sistine Chapel - it's amazing, and to be honest far nicer than the chapel itself. I wasn't terribly impressed with that at all, couldn't see what all the fuss was about - and yes, there were loads of people taking photos.

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)