Two Countries in One Day!
Trip Start
Jun 24, 2011
1
15
17
Trip End
Jul 04, 2011
Where I stayed
Rome, Latium, Italy
Friday, July 1, 2011
Then we gathered around our local guide in the courtyard so she could tell us what we would see in the Sistine Chapel. Talking is not allowed in the chapel (although it seemed many did anyway) so she had to tell us about it before we entered.
She described the chapel and art all around and how Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling. It was done in fresco, so the paint was applied to fresh plaster before it dried. He originally had assistants to apply the plaster but he didn't like how they were doing it so he did it all himself. It took four years!
Then she also described the Last Judgement that is the entire wall painted behind the altar. This showed some rising to heaven and others decending to hell. He painted the likeness of someone he didn't like in hell which really made the guy mad. Michelangelo originally painted the Last Judgement figures without clothing but some religious leaders complained and little drapes were added later by someone else. She said that artist became known as the underwear maker.
Entering the Sistine Chapel through the back door was a little less awe-inspiring until you look up and around and realize how much work went into the paintings. There were many many people inside and the guard kept trying to remind the people Silencio. It would be pretty amazing if you could have a private tour with absolute quiet.
Next was St. Peter's Basilica. This is the largest church in the world! There are inlaid marks and labels on the floor to show the size in comparison to many other large churches in the world.
The guide gave us some history and then let us wander around ourselves. Luckily, they don't mind photos taken here and I was able to take quite a few.
Since Pope John Paul II is in the process of sainthood there were many people there to visit his altar. His body is there at the altar but not on display like several other former popes were.
The dome of the basilica was designed by Michelangelo but was completed by others after his death. It would have been incredible to go up where we could see people way up there but the view from the ground was pretty amazing too.
After that we had a little free time for lunch and souveneir shopping. Then we took our entire group photo in St. Peter's square before heading to rehearsal for the students with Frank Ticheli. Many of the parents took an optional side trip to Ostia during rehearsal.
Dinner this evening was with all the groups that will perform at the Festival. Before we ate the two groups from Canada stood up and sang Oh Canada in honor of their Canada Day that day. They have beautiful voices.
