Our Italian Adventure: Day 2 in Rome- Vatican and Coliseum

After a good night’s sleep for most of us, we went to the roof garden of the Minerve for a fantastic breakfast with everything imaginable to eat. Choice of American or Italian coffee, cappuccino, eggs, bacon, cheeses, many different breads and sweet breads (Olivia chose chocolate muffin and chocolate croissant) and a variety of Italian sausages. Pat feasted on salmon with cream cheese. We couldn't linger over breakfast as we needed to be at the Vatican.

Roof tops of Rome from hotel roof garden

Museums at 9:30. All except Ron, Pat, Dorsey, Olivia, Annika and Theo. They were being brought later to visit St. Peter's only. The crowds waiting under what promised to be a scorching sun to purchase tickets was unbelievable with maybe a 2-3 hour wait just to get to the ticket office. Our guide, Louisa, was charming, friendly, and spoke wonderful English. She explained to us that the Vatican, formally called the "Vatican City State" is smallest recognized independent state in the world whose head is the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. The museum houses some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures, tapestries and furniture and mosaics throughout its seven miles of corridors. Louisa selected the most prominent of these to show us. She showed us paintings by Michelangelo and gave explanations of the Sistine Chapel before we entered it as it is a place of silence. Hardly silent, however, with 300-400 people inside a rather small space. Michelangelo painting of the Hand of God reaching out to Adam is a focal point of the ceiling. From there we met Ron, Pat, and the children who had waited so patiently in the heat. Louise quickly drew them in and explained that St. Peter's Basilica was built on the site where the apostle St. Peter was put to death and crucified upside down by his request since he didn't consider himself worth of dying in the same manner as did Christ. St. Peter is buried beneath the altar. The ceiling of St. Peter's is a coffered barrel vault with the largest unsupported dome in the world. The Pieta, sculpted by Michelangelo in 1499, depicts the agony of Mary, mother of Jesus, holding his lifeless body. The children all wanted to rub the bronze toe of St. Matthew which custom says will forgive 25 years of sins. As we ended our tour the children were able to see the changing of Swiss guards who serve as security for the Vatican City State.

The Vatican

Vatican Dome

Ceiling in Vatican museum hallway

Waiting with guide Louisa to go into St. Peter's

Main Altar in Vatican

St. Peter's Bronze Foot

Pieta

We returned to the hotel, washed up and went for lunch. Everyone with the exception of Ron and I then went for visit to the Colosseum. Awesome and they even saw gladiators! How can you not be awed by the Colosseum!!! Ate dinner in front of the Pantheon where Michele and Jeff had previously eaten several times while in Rome. Profiteroles and gelato for dessert. Except Bella, who stopped for gelato and their way back to the hotel.