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.
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| From the internet |
A lot of days up to 20,000 visitors get kinks in their necks
staring up at the ceiling. Don’t be
surprised when someone bumps into you in their attempt to walk and gawk
upward. Or you may get your toes stepped
on by someone with the upward viewing affliction.
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.
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| Can't find my pictures, but found these on the internet. |
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, or are important enough to have the
pull for a private viewing. Now that would be my dream!
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