“Photography takes an instant out of time, altering life by holding it still.” ~ Dorothea Lange
Today we toured the Vatican, which is the most visited attraction in Rome. In order to beat the crowds we had to be at the Vatican at 7:30 in the morning! On this early morning not yet fueled by coffee (covfefe if you are Donald Trump), we arrived prepared to see the collection of amazing artwork and the spectacular Sistine Chapel and Saint Peter’s Basilica. As we waited in line with what seemed to be thousands of other tourists for the doors to open our guide gave us a very informative narrative with photos on what we would eventually see in the Sistine Chapel.
Although I had been to the Vatican before on a tour ten years ago, this tour guide was much more informative and I think I retained more information. The hallways are almost indescribable in their beauty.
Beyond every door were more breathtaking works of art.
There was a hall of maps done in bright colors that were done years ago before Map Quest and google maps and yet were accurate and beautiful.
“Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures.”
~ Henry Ward Beecher
The Sistine Chapel was incredible but you were not allowed to take pictures in it. We spent time just taking in the beauty of the artwork. We continued on to take some photos on the balcony before moving on to the Basilica. The Pieta was spectacular. 
There was so much to take in you could have spent days there. By he time we left the line of crowds waiting to enter nearly wrapped around Saint Peter’s Square. I was glad that we had gone when we did and were not standing in the hot sun. It was a fabulous way to spend our last day in Rome.
“The true work of art is but a shadow of the divine perfection.” ~ Michelangelo
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