Touring The Vatican

An estimated 6 million people (16,000/day) will visit the Sistine Chapel inside the Vatican this year.  The Two LeClerc's have happily checked it off their list.  We booked an early morning semi-private tour and spent 4 hours absorbing some of the world's most famous paintings and sculptures.  It was an overwhelmingly, beautiful and educational morning and so happy we were out by the time the masses were allowed in.
Vatican City is an Ecclesiastical State and ruled by the Bishop of Rome - the Pope.  It is the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world by both area and population.

                                                    The Swiss Guard that protects the Pope

                                                              A Hallway Inside Vatican

                     One of many tapestries that hang on the walls for beauty as well as warmth.

                                                                    Statues and Tombs

                                                                         Rare Red Marble

                                                                        A Beautiful Ceiling

                                                           A Courtyard Inside the Vatican

                                Bronze Sculpture by artist Pomodoro  "Sphere within a Sphere"

                                                       Fountain in the Pinecone Courtyard

                              Courtyard where the Pope gives a speech every Wednesday morning.

                                           A painting of most of the great Renaissance Men

                                                     The Alter inside St. Peter's Basilica

                                                          So happy we are not in that line!

                                                                   Lovely Turquoise Fiat

                                  Super thin Roman Style Pizza, shredded zucchini and blossoms

                       Piazza Navona, a significant example of Baroque Roman Architecture

                                                   Fontana dei Quattro in Piazza Navona

                                                            Piazza Navona Fountain del Moro


We ended our day dining at the lovely restaurant just downstairs from our apartment Ba Gigetto.  It is known in Rome for serving some of the best of Roman Classic Cuisine since 1923.  Since they are located in Rome's Jewish Ghetto, they naturally specialize in Roman Jewish dishes like the carciofi all giudea (fried artichoke).

                                                Walked downtairs to have dinner here!

                           They are famous for the fried artichoke. We had to try it. Delicious!

                                      Finished off the evening with a little Limoncello!