Art can be found everywhere. Some people classify the graffiti of Rome as art, while others only count paintings and sculptures to be “true” art. Art is subjective, and it’s in the eye of the beholder.
If want incredible views of the Italian capital of Rome, decorative paintings on ceilings, and sculptures, look no further than Vatican City.
Vatican City, a 100-acre city-state, is a haven for art lovers. Michelangelo, Rafael and many more Italian artists and sculptors made their marks on the holy ground. It’s also home to the Pope of the Catholic Church, who has lived in the area for centuries.
The types of art you’ll see in Vatican City are limitless. Paintings and sculptures and the views of the “city” are just some of the types of unofficial art that I think tourists and locals should admire.
But first: a few introductory tips to give you an idea as to what Vatican City is like:
1. Subway and bus stops surround the area, so transportation isn’t an issue. Depending on the lines, buses come every 10 minutes and subways every five minutes. It’s also almost impossible to get lost. From the stops, A long, gray wall divides Rome and Vatican City.
(If you think you’re lost, just follow the border of the wall. You’ll find a subway stop, Ottaviano, nearby.)
2. Hoping to go to Vatican City? Well, Vatican City isn’t the church. You’ll notice people say they are going to “the Vatican,” although it could mean a lot of places. The “city” can be pretty confusing since there are two main attractions: St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museum.
Marco, a tourist office worker, said that many tourists are often confused on how to get to Vatican City. He also said that it’s easier to say one attraction or the other if you’re talking to locals.
Try to be clear on where you’re going if you’re asking for directions from a local. It would really stink if you say the wrong place you need to get to (they’re also about a 10-minute walk from each other).
The front of St. Peter's Basilica and the front of the Vatican Museum.
3. Columns line the circular square, and an extremely long line (Marco told me that people stay in the line for as long as seven hours). Pre-book your tickets at least a month in advance. The later you get your tickets, the harder it is to get a time slot to enter both the museum and basilica.
Now that you have somewhat of a picture as to what Vatican City is like, onto the small but little pieces of art every person should see:
Paintings and Sculptures
The artistic expressions of the Renaissance and earlier years are clearly shown through paintings and sculptures. Most pieces can be easily looked up on Google, but it's not the same experience as a computer screensaver.
The Vatican Museum holds an entire room filled with sculptures. Molds, heads and animals are displayed on every shelf. Marble and bronze statues catch your eye.
Walking through the hallways of the museum and the basilica can be crowded depending on the time you to go, but the walls aren’t the only places you should be looking for art.
“Look up every once in a while,” Marco said. “Sometimes, the ceilings say different stories than the walls.”
Some of the extravagant rooms have all four walls and the ceiling painted. Designs of all shapes and patterns decorate the space.
Different ceilings of rooms inside the Vatican Museum.
In the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican Museum, Michelangelo painted on his back to decorate the ceiling. Over the years, the paint from the ceiling dripped into his eyes, and Michelangelo became blind soon after. It’s nice to stand in the chapel and take in the work he did. Admire the room and wonder how something so intricately designed was painted in less than five years.
In St. Peter’s Basilica, there is no wasted space. The entire basilica is practically painted; every inch is covered in beautiful works of cherubim, saints and Jesus Christ. The religious aspect of Rome shines in the church.
Michelangelo's Pieta statue moves people to tears (literally, I've seen that happen). The marble statue depicts a sad Virgin Mary holding a dead Jesus Christ.
Although there are statues of saints in St. Peter’s, look at the Tomb of the Popes. There are some scattered throughout the chapel, but there is also another room below with some of the revered religious figures of the Catholic Church.
The entrance to St. Peter's Basilica and the Altar of the Chair of St. Peter's containing St. Peter's remains below.
Views
The Vatican Museum overlooks gardens, courtyards and some of the Pope’s property (although the current pope lives in a Roman apartment). The entrance to the Vatican Museum itself is also a nice view. The wall surrounds the door, but the white marble decorates the entrance in an authentic Roman style.
St. Peter’s Basilica is a view itself. Stand in the middle of St. Peter’s Square. It opens up into a circle, with the basilica taking up most of your view. It overlooks the piazza and the street leading to the Tiber River.
The dome of St. Peter's Basilica gives you a nice view of the whole city. For only a few euros, you can climb the stairs to the top, or (for about 10 euros) take an elevator 3/4 of the way up and climb about 200 steps. Either way, the view is spectacular.
Views of Rome showcase themes of art: uniqueness, culture and beauty. Various views of Rome include the Colosseum and mountains nearby, but Vatican City captures the essence of Rome. The antiquity is surreal, but modern Rome peeks through the ruins.
As a bonus, let me end off by telling you about the art no one should see: the art of deceit. Marco said that con artists and pickpockets flock to the religious sights to steer away tourists and steal their money. “Tour guides” will say to you that you’re going the wrong way to the Vatican. Sometimes, they aren’t real tour guides.
Fake tour guides (who are really pickpockets or people trying scamming you) will convince you that you’re taking the wrong route to get to Vatican City. After, they entice you to give them money in order to get directions or they pickpocket you as you’re speaking with them, Marco said. It’s a scheme that sucks in tourists daily. Rely on your map or look for a tourists’ office to get authentic directions.
This sacred place not only calls out religious meaning, but it also gives a new meaning to art. Art is expressed in an unlimited amount of ways. The theme of religion mixed with the freedom of art shows an imagination unlike anyone else's. Roman art and architecture is unbelievably spectacular, especially in Vatican City.
Komentáře