Description: Near the very top of my short list for things I had to see and visit while in Rome and Vatican City for my honeymoon was the inevitable Sistine Chapel. I may not have even gone to the Vatican Museum given the cost to get in (15 euros) and the relatively short amount of time we had in Rome if it hadn't been for the Sistine Chapel - but I have to say that I am completely thrilled that I did. The Vatican Museum itself quickly became one of my favourite parts of my trip to Vatican City, and even without the added benefit of one of the most famous and stunning works of art known to man - it was still worth the money, lines, and crowds to see it.
The Sistine Chapel is one of the last stops on the walk through the expansive Vatican Museum, with an absolutely immense collection of art - and though it is possible to skip large parts of this and go straight to the Sistine Chapel - I wouldn't recommend it unless you are on a very tight time table. Your ticket buys you access to the museum and the Sistine Chapel - and both are well worth seeing. However - I warn you to pace yourself as you move through the museum. There is so much grandeur, both in the art and the museum itself that you may well find yourself somewhat immune it it's awe and beauty by the end of the day when you finally get in to the Sistine Chapel. I do recommend stopping for lunch or at least a snack and a drink as the day allows. The crowds - which increase as the day goes on and the closer you get to the Sistine Chapel are exhausting and the added heat and pushiness you get at the far end of the museum will definitely add to your fatigue.
Ideally - I would recommend two visits. The first at a very leisurely pace through the first 3/4 of the museum, just taking it all in and refusing to get pushed along, hurrying to the big finale. And the second - a very early visit which takes in the last little bit of the museum as well as the Sistine Chapel. If you can manage it, this is the way to approach it - as you can see them both for all their glory, and yet not get burnt out or over hassled by crowds.
But few visitors will have the time, money or inclination spending two full days in this one attraction - so it's best if you do pace yourself and realize just HOW much there is to see at the museum itself. I have to admit that after several hours, I entered each new, crowded, breath taking room with vaulted ceilings covered in frescos thinking 'Ah -this must be the Sistine Chapel then!' I was never right. Not for a very long time. And some of them were so glorious that by the time I did finally get there - I was left wondering to some degree why I had been in such a rush to see this one bit - when the others seemed in many ways equally grand.
However - that wasn't what made the visit to the Sistine Chapel kind of a shame. The problem for me was the tourists. I spent almost the entire time I was there ashamed to be amongst them - and to be quite honest I was a little relieved when I left. For one thing - it was crammed so tightly not another person could get in. The guards told us as we came in there was no photography and to be very silent as it was a chapel - but almost every single one of the teeming hordes of tourists ignored them entirely.
I wanted nothing more than to stand in the awe-inspiring serenity of a breath-taking chapel and view the famous Michelangelo's work - but I spent most of it being pushed, and feeling shamefaced that the guards at the front - patient to no end - had to keep shouting across the din to be quiet, and to stop taking photos. Which no one ever did. I was literally embarrassed, and felt like I was doing the serenity and sanctity of the place the best service and pay it the greatest respect just by leaving.
There are few places I can think of that are more ruined by tourists than the Sistine Chapel - though I am so impressed at the way they handled it, and continue to handle it - letting them in to view despite their despicable behaviour. I hope one day I get to view it without this inconvenience, though I don't see it ever happening. As it stands though - it is still a sight everyone should behold who visits Rome. I just implore you that when you do go, pay it the proper respect, put your camera away and enjoy it in the silence it was meant for.
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