Yesterday was a visit to the Vatican City. Although this is within the nation of Italy in the city of Rome, this region is an independent state under the absolute authority of the pope. It is situated on a hill and is surrounded by medieval and Renaissance walls. Many of the most renowned artists and architects of the Italian Renaissance worked on the Vatican's buildings. The most imposing edifice is Saint Peter's Basilica. This was built between the 15th and 17th centuries, and designed by artists, including Bramante, Michelangelo, and Bernini. Also on this site is the Papal Palace with the Sistine Chapel and its great ceiling frescoes painted by Michelangelo. There are rooms of the palace with frescoes painted by the Raphael. The Vatican's museums are also outstanding. Among them are the Gregorian Museum of Egyptian Art; the Gregorian Museum of Etruscan Art; the Pio Clementino Museum , with a great collection of intiquities; the Chiaramonti Museum ; and the Vatican Pinacoteca, with works from a number of Italian masters. The Vatican Library also has a collection of precious ancient manuscripts.
Comments