The Pristine Sistine Tour

We spent the early morning touring the Vatican today. Frederica our guide led the way starting at 7:30 am. First we cruised through the Vatican Museums, the long building on the left, and ended at St. Peter’s Basilica (right). We got to spend 20 minutes in the Sistine Chapel …no photos, no talking…just craning our necks to meditate on the ceiling…mesmerized the work of Michelangelo. The Vatican is filled with incredible art and artifacts collected by the Popes over the centuries…from Ancient Roman mosaics to Matisse. Some Popes couldn’t abide by the naked Roman statues so commissioned that fig leaves cover the penises (extra). In the art history world, there is a controversial movement to remove the leaves and check out what is underneath. The Popes commissioned the greatest artists to decorate and build the Vatican. There are 4 incredible rooms painted by Raphael (extra). In this painting, he includes several portraits of his mentors and a selfie…including Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Can you find them?