Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Travel Wednesday - Sistine Chapel - You Don't Have to be a Cardinal to Visit


The conclave of 115 Cardinals in the Sistine chapel have a lot more room to move around than most visitors to the room Michelangelo turned into an artistic wonder. 

Some days 20,000 visitors get kinks in their necks staring up at the ceiling.  Don’t be surprised when someone bumps into you in their attempts to walk and gawk upward.  Or you may get your toes stepped on by someone with the upward viewing affliction.

A view to mediate over if you don't have hundreds of near & dear friends stepping on your toes!
 
It is amazing the number of people who can’t read and/or are deaf, too.  Signs prohibiting pictures are everywhere and announcements of ‘no picture taking’ are made often.  The shocked expressions on the faces of violators can be pretty funny.  A big guard shouting at them for the sneaky shot they attempted may not be fun to them, but to those trying to abide by the rules, the guilty ones attitude of offense is pretty entertaining.

Still, having the opportunity to view this amazing work of art, even if not able to do so undisturbed, is wonderful, and yes, I’m glad to have accomplished the viewing.  If you end up in Rome, make the Sistine Chapel a must see on your list of places to visit.  But, the need to book in advance may become necessary.  There are rumors the Vatican is considering limiting the number of visitors and one critic is especially keen for this to be done.  Pietro Citati, an Italian literary critic contends all the humanity squeezed into the room at one time leads to damage to the frescos.

Limited access or not, the visit is worth the effort and cost to see the masterpieces.  But if your goal is peaceful meditation, forget about it…at least for now.  Unless you’re lucky enough to be a Cardinal locked in the room with 114 of your peers.

8 comments:

Sharon Ledwith said...

Okay, Lizzie, so did you 'take' that photo, or did you get it elsewhere? Just wondered if you're a rebel or not! Yes, hubby and I would love to tour Italy, but I'm thinking of waiting until the new Pope takes his seat! Thanks for sharing your adventure. Cheers!

Patricia said...

Someone sent me a link several months back that allowed your to view the Sistine Chapel via virtual tour. You used your computer's arrow buttons to go any direction you wanted and you could zoom in and out. It was awesome, short of being there, that is.
Patti

Lizzie said...

No I didn't take the picture Sharon. Bought the postcards instead. They were better than any picture I could have done a blind shot on...LOL.

Lizzie said...

Wow, Patti, that would be cool. The room really is beautiful, even with hoards of near and not so dear friends.

Sloane Taylor said...

Love your Wednesday posts, Lizzie.:)

Vonnie said...

Agree about all those crowds, Lizzie. Claustrophobic. Often wonder how The Master's neck and back were in later life.

Lizzie said...

Thank you, Sloane. Wait until this summer when (hopefully) I can post from a planned trip. Those should be fun since they'll be sort of 'in the moment' if all goes well with logons.

Lizzie said...

LOL, Vonnie. Good point. I have problems sitting in front of a computer, let alone looking up at a ceiling all day.