The smallest independent state in the world is beyond belief and impossible to comprehend, much less describe.After entering through gates

of a very tall wall, we visited the three most famous parts of the city (Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peter’s Basicilica), but photography was tough (no flash allowed) and forbidden in the Sistine Chapel; so unfortunately, we cannot show you Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam or any of the 12,000 square feet of ceiling that he painted, nor the phenomenal Last Judgement on the alter wall.

However, the art collection in the The Vatican Museum is immense enough to make you forget what you could not take pictures of, such as Raffaellino del Colle’s Adoration of the Magi.  We did manage a couple good shots of paintingswhich, of course, do not do them justice.Sculptures were easier to photograph, such as Rodin’s The Thinker,Lucio Fontana’s Madonna

and The Pietá (1498–1499) by Michelangelo, the only piece he ever signed.

Above is a life size model (available to touch for the blind-amazing) of the original in the Basilica.

Tapestries,floorsand ceilings were amazing and huge.

This is the model for the bronze statue in the Basilica.Too many famous works to name, but a few more are in the gallery below.

The Papal Basilica of Saint Peter (Saint Peter’s Basilica) has the largest interior of any Christian church in the World. While it is neither the ‘Mother Church’ of the Roman Catholic Church nor the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome; it IS regarded as one of the Holiest Catholic sites and the greatest of all Churches of Christendom….we can see why.It was bizarre to walk the plaza where people gather to see the Pope (part of his security) on his public appearance in the square.  It was an incredible experience to be here!