Vatican City - The World's Smallest Country

Touring Vatican City was one of the most impacting experiences of my life. Not just because of all the beautiful artwork by one of my favorite artists, Michelangelo, not just because I got to experience the Sistine Chapel and not just because of the sheer history of the place. To be honest, I had no idea that so much of this country, the smallest in the world with only 900 residents, would contain so much history of and tribute to Jesus Christ. Now, I know that may seem naive and perhaps I should have known more about the Roman Catholic religion but I did not. Until my visit to the Vatican. And it was truly amazing.


We began our tour by crossing the Bridge of Angels. This was enough to brings tears to my eyes and gratefulness to my heart as I was once again reminded of the sacrifice that Christ made on the cross as he died for all of humanity’s sins. Each angel, sculpted by the Renaissance artist Lorenzo Bernini or one of his students, is seen depicting some stage of the Passion. That is, each one holds in their hand some significant item from Christ’s journey to his crucifixion. Read about them here.

Once over the Bridge of Angels we entered St. Peter’s square. St. Peter’s Basilica was simply breathtaking and standing inside the square was overwhelming, to say the least. This was also the first viewing of the Sistine Chapel although from the outside only. The Papal Apartment rounded out St. Peter’s Square and we were on our way inside to the Vatican Museum.

St. Peter's Square

St. Peter's Basilica

One of the views of the Papal apartment.

The Swiss Guards

The museum was also amazing housing some of the world’s greatest works of art. We saw many of Michelangelo’s sculptures as well as the artist Raphael‘s. I really cannot articulate the beauty that our eyes experienced that day so I will let the pictures tell the story.

Sculpture depicting the fall of the city Troy.

One of the ceiling Fresco paintings inside of the museum.

While I do not remember which artist sculpted this figure I do remember learning that this was Michelangelo's favorite sculpture during his lifetime. In fact, once he became blind from painting the Sistine chapel he would ask that this sculpture be brought to him and he would spend hours touching the sculpture feeling it's every line and indentation.

The climax of the day, for me, was the Sistine Chapel. I’ve wanted to visit the Sistine Chapel since I was a little girl reading about it in a text book in social studies! Something about the fact that Michelangelo painted this ceiling while leaning back for 4 years and then consequently becoming blind just blew me away. Then add to that the fact that the paintings depict God’s creation of man and the life of Jesus and I just couldn’t wait to experience what I knew would be something I’d never forget.

I also learned a few things about the chapel that I didn’t know before visiting. First, I knew that Michelangelo had painted the ceiling while on his back but I didn’t know that he was not lying flat painting the ceiling. He was actually leaning back and, after 4 years, not only was he blind but his body maintained the position he’d been in while painting. This meant that he could only move or stand by leaning back in the position that his body had molded into while painting the chapel. I also learned that one of the reasons that the chapel is so special and so famous is that Michelangelo was NOT a painter. He was all other things artistically, it seemed, but not a painter. But, somehow, he painted one o f the most beautiful pieces the world as ever seen. Unfortunately I have no pictures to share because inside of the chapel there is no picture taking or talking allowed. However, if you are interested you should Google it and take a look and learn a little bit about it. I guarantee you’ll be amazed.

Finally we were able to go inside St. Peter’s Basilica which was mind blowing as well. Again, I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

The tomb of St. Peter

If you are not Catholic you may be wondering about all of the emphasis on St. Peter. Well, according to Matthew 16:13-19 Jesus said, "So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my Church. And the gates of the underworld can never hold out against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven: whatever you bind on earth shall be considered bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth shall be considered loosed in heaven." The actual city emblem of Rome is St. Peter holding a set of keys apparently given to him by Jesus. You see it everywhere you look. As our tour guide reminded us, "Rome is just a little Catholic!" And, that, my friends is Catholicism 101; brought to you, in part, by a Christian girl who never knew the difference! (I just thought they had really long weddings ;) j/k)

All in all, a WONDERFUL experience from beginning to end. Although, after the two days in Rome I feel that I've digested about 15 history books! But I wouldn't trade this feeling for anything!