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THE POPE AND GETTING THROWN OUT OF THE SISTINE CHAPEL

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by David Simpson

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THE MIDDLE EAST & EUROPEAN SERIES PT15

VATICAN CITY

The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, both by area and population, 121 acres and 825 respectively. For every local there are 6,000 annual tourists, making it one of the most popular sites in the world. To put this into perspective, the U.S. which is the most visited country in the world has 4 tourists per local per year.

WHERE IS VATICAN CITY?

The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel

THE VATICAN

First things first, queues to get in here are serious. No matter how early you like to get up, you are unlikely to be one of the first people in. However, I had never seen a queue quite like it and could only wonder why. That was until I got in and realised this was the day the pope held his Angelus Prayer.

Altar at the cathedral in The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Beautiful architecture in The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Beautiful architecture in The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Cathedral in The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Balcony in The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel

ST PETER’S BASILICA

There are two main buildings here which are the main attraction. St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Believe it or not St Peter’s Basilica is not the original basilica as the original, built in the 4th century was demolished and a new one was built in the 1500s. Nor is it the official seat of the Pope, that goes to San Giovanni in Laterano. The Pope tends to use them due to its close proximately to his residence.

  • Priests at Saint Peter's Basilica, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Priests and church-goers at Saint Peter's Basilica, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • David Simpson and church-goers at Saint Peters Basilica, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel

The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel

 RELATED READ: GETTING HELD AT GUNPOINT IN TEXAS

THE SISTINE CHAPEL

With 5 million visits a year and 20,000 a day during the summer, The Sistine Chapel has to be the most visited room in the world. But believe it or not, apart from the paintings, the room is completely empty.

  • Window at the Sistine Chapel, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Sculptures and visitors at the Sistine Chapel, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Paintings at the Sistine Chapel, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Paintings at the Sistine Chapel, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Painting at the Sistine Chapel, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Painting at the Sistine Chapel, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel

It signals the end of the tour and the official residence of the Pope. It is here a new Pope is chosen and is famous for it’s incredible frescos on the walls and ceilings. Photos are apparently not allowed but I did manage to get one before being thrown out.

Painting at the Sistine Chapel, The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Bridge over the river at The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
  • Beautiful architecture at The Vatican. The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel

FINAL THOUGHTS

No matter what your beliefs are, there is no denying the history of this little nation. However, I wasn’t sure what to think of the insane opulence on show.

NEXT UP

Heading up north to Pisa and Florence! Click to read.

SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
111/229

This post is part of The Middle East & European Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.

Question Time

  • Have you been to The Vatican?
  • What was your favourite thing to see?
  • Did you see the Pope during your visit?

Let me know in the comments below . . .

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THE COLOSSEUM & ROME, THE LAST WONDER
LEANING PISA & IMPRESSIVE FLORENCE

About the Author

David Simpson
From Northern Ireland, David is a keen fitness fanatic, aspiring photographer and adrenaline junkie (with motion sickness). Well on his way to visiting every country in the world, David usually lives outside of his comfort zone. Whether that’s talking his way out of problems in a Peruvian Police Station, getting mashed with the Maseru tribe in the Drakensberg mountains or just chilling on the beach, he’s an all or nothing guy.
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