Vatican City on a Saturday Afternoon

Saturday, March 19, 2011 (Part 3)

On Saturday afternoon, after a pizza lunch at a cafe just north of the Piazza Navona, Katherine and I parted company with Dad and headed for Vatican City. We entered St. Peter's Square and took our bearings. The security line to enter the Basilica was very long, so we decided to go to the Vatican Museum first.

And so we made the long trek around the walls of the Museum to the north entrance. We were almost there, and we were approaching our final left turn at a street corner when we came upon several tour guides (or hustlers for tour guides) who told us that the Museum was closed! Apparently, the Vatican had closed the Museum in recognition of St. Joseph's Day. We hadn't even heard of St. Joseph's Day! What a disappointment. Katherine was unable to see the Sistine Chapel and I missed seeing (again) the Raphael Rooms. Ah well,I suppose this just means that we will have to visit this great city again some time in the future.

We pretended not to be disappointed and headed back to St. Peter's Square. We found the end of the very long security line. Security was a non-event and,within about 20 minutes, we were entering the Basilica. And since we now had all afternoon at our disposal, we took our time.

Although I was here just 18 months ago, I was still in awe. And we spent a lot more time searching out every corner and reading the wonderful details provided by our guidebooks. We are using two guidebooks in our tour of Rome: (1) DK Eyewitness Travel's "Rome," and (2) Rick Steves' "Rome 2011." They are similar but different, and they compliment each other very well. DK is strong on maps, diagrams and photos. Rick Steves' is strong on walking tours and details.

Some of the highlights within the Basilica include (i) Michaelangelo's Pieta (behind glass), (ii) the bronze statue of St. Peter, (iii) the Dome of St. Peter's, and (iv) Baldacchino's gilded bronze canopy over

the altar.