I don’t like to admit it, but I knew virtually nothing about the Vatican except it is where the Pope lives and it’s the smallest country in the world

I didn’t even know if The Vatican and Vatican City were the same thing, but after our time there, boy did I learn some stuff – and we are going to share that with you today.

Firstly, we tell you the best way to see the Vatican museums and St. Peters, and give you a couple of hints how to miss the crowds. 

Then we take you through the most spectacular rooms, galleries and courtyards full of history and artwork.  But it’s not all painting and sculptures.

Come with us as we walk through the 250m long tapestry room where the eyes in the tapestries follow you as you walk along.

Next is the map room where there are centuries old maps painted on the walls underneath a gold ceiling. 

The rotunda room has a gigantic ancient Egyptian purple marble bathtub, which is valued at 2 billion euros!

If that isn’t enough marble, then listen as we tell you about the marble zoo – yep, I said marble zoo – where the animals actually look like they have fur – because of the colours inside of the marble – they were beautiful.

Of course, we take you inside the Sistine Chapel to hear about the famous Michelangelo paintings, plus we give you some funny stories of how all that came to be – you won’t believe it.

Then if that isn’t enough stunning art and history, we walk through the massive St. Peters square with the incredible colonnades and then we share the opulence of the inside of the basilica – just think domes, gold, stunning, mind blowing and you might get close to what it is like.

Listen to the end to hear about which pope is embalmed in a glass coffin that you can see while in the basilica.

There is a lot to take in in this episode – but we know you will be blown away – so please enjoy Episode 65.

Oh, by the way if you know anyone planning a trip to Italy then please share our Italian series with them at beachtravelwine.com/italy

SHOW NOTES AND PICTURES BELOW

The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world ruled by the Pope. It is a walled city and probably one of the most popular historical and religious sites in the world with over 5 million visitors each year.

The walls around the city started being built between 847 and 855 AD and were later expanded to the current fortification through the centuries until 1644.

The Vatican has a population of 800 people. It is still guarded by the Swiss Guards who wear their historic uniforms. They can be seen around the Vatican and St. Peter’s Square.

When you enter the Vatican museums one of the first things you will see is a fabulous view of the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica. You can also see the gardens of the Vatican.

The first stop on the tour of the Vatican is the Pinecone Courtyard. Here in this 300 metre square open space you will see the four metre bronze pinecone that dates back to the second century that was designed by Michelangelo. You will also see the Sphere with Sphere in the centre of the courtyard. It is a modern sculpture. If you are having breakfast at the Vatican, then this is the area you will have it - weather permitting.

When you enter and walk around the Vatican museums you will be presented with many lavishly decorated hallways. The Vatican has 34 galleries which comprise of 1,400 rooms. Of course you won’t get to visit all of them, but we were blown away with the highlights that we saw.

A few of those highlights included the statue of Laocoon and his sons (picture 1 above). This became one of the most famous ancient sculptures since it was excavated in Rome in 1506.

The Rotunda room which was built by Michelangelo during the Pontification of Pope Pius VI and modelled on the Pantheon. In this room you will see The Bathtub (picture 2 above). It is made from deep purple porphyry marble that has only been found in Egypt. It was commissioned by the first century Roman Emperor, Nero, and is now valued as high as two billion euro.

The Animal Room - or Marble Zoo is another special highlight. Here there are many animals and creatures all made out of marble. The amazing thing about this gallery is that many of the sculptures actually look like they have fur or plumage because the marble chosen mimicks the real life animals. (picture 3 above)

There are many sarcophaguses throughout the Vatican museums including the one above. This is where Saint Helena who was the mother of Constantine the Great is buried. Her sarcophagus is made out of red porphyry marble with intricate designs. (picture 4 above)

Two of the highlights for me were the Gallery of Maps and the Gallery of Tapestries. The maps are in a 120 metre long room that has 40 huge frescos on the walls that detail the Italian regions and Papal Properties that existed during the time of Pope Gregory XIII. They were created by Ignacio Danti between 1580 and 1585. (pictures 1 and 2 above)

The ceiling along the room is decorated with stucco and gold leaf. It contains a mixture of saints, martyrs, apostles and other important figures in christianity.

The Gallery of Tapestries hold works by Raphael Sanzio. This room is 250 metres long and is divided in two with the tapestries on the left as you enter depicting scenes from the life of Christ and the tapestries on the right showing the life of Pope Urban VIII. (pictures 3 and 4)

Raphael and his students made large scale drawings that were sent to Brussels in Belgium to be woven in silk and wool. There are a couple of tapestries that used a special technique when they were made that makes Jesus’ eyes follow you as you walk past.

The ceiling although being completely flat has the illusion of a 3D appearance that is down to the genius of 18th century artists.

Before leaving the Vatican museums, the last stop is the Sistine Chapel. Unfortunately no photos could be taken in the chapel. This is the Pope’s private chapel and is where all new popes are elected. The ceiling is very famous as it depicts scenes form the old testament about the creation of life. The whole ceiling is painted by Michelangelo.

When you exit the Vatican museums through the Sistine Chapel, you are in the huge and stunning St. Peter’s Square. In the centre of the square is a 4,000 year old Egyptian obelisk. It has been in this position since 1586. 100 years later the square was designed.

There are massive colonnades, four columns deep on each side of the square that are 240 metres long. Each side has 284 columns that are 16 metres high. There are two granite fountains that are dominate in the square. On top of the columns there are 140 statues representing Catholic saints.

At the top end of the square is St. Peter’s Basilica. It is the burial place of St. Peter, and his tomb is directly below the high altar.

One of the most stunning parts of the basilica is Bernini’s canopy which sits above the high altar. Behind the altar and canopy decorating the back wall is the Aspe. This is a collection of gilded cherubs and angels, as well as sculptured clouds. Then there are rays of light that emanate from the central pane of stained glass window. With the exterior light illuminating the pane as well as the general glow of the gilded bronze, the entire sculpture appears to shine.

The basilica is massive and lavishly decorated. It contains 44 altars, 11 domes, including the largest dome in the world, 778 columns, 395 statues and 135 mosaics. The interior is mind-blowing with the gold leaf, gold mosaics and all the featured marble. One of the best ways to see the whole basilica is to climb the hundreds of narrow winding stairs to the second level. Here is where you can see the best views of the mosaics and the basilica below.

There are many Popes buried in the Basilica. Pope John XXIII’s body has been embalmed and now is on display in a glass coffin. (picture 1 above)

There is one chapel in the basilica that you can get married in. It is called the Choir chapel. There is a fresco of the Virgin Mary on the wall behind the altar. (picture 3 above) Mary wears an actual crown of gold and in 1904 an anonymous international ladies group donated a crown of diamonds that can be seen on the fresco.

(Picture 4 above is of the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel - no I didn’t take it as you are not allowed)

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If you would like to know all the details about our visit to the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica, then click one of the podcast players above. If you would like to know more about our Italian episodes and blog posts then click the button below.