When In Room

Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo)

Attraction | "The Castle of An Angel?"

Quote:

To many of you who have visited Rome you may well have been in Castel S'Angelo, or may have been past it on the way to the Vatican, however those who have not been to Rome, but have read Dan Brown's Angels and Demons, or seen the film, may recognise the name and perhaps the building itself. I recently visited Rome, after having read the Dan Brown book and seeing the film, and I must admit, as much as I am a culture, history buff, I perhaps wouldn't have visited this very outrageous building had it not been for the large emphasis put on it by Dan Brown. Basically I was intrigued to see the Church of Illumination, in the flesh. Castel S'Angelo is located approximately a 5 minute ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 16, 2009

Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo)
Lungotevere Castello
Rome, Italy 00193
+39 0639080730

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Colosseum (Coliseum)

Attraction | "It's Colossal!"

Quote:

The Colosseum in the centre of Rome - probably one of the most recognisable structures in the world. In 2007 the Colosseum was named one of the NEW seven wonders of the world. On a recent trip to Rome I visited the Colosseum, back when we booked the trip, this was the first thing both my boyfriend and I had said we wanted to see. We stayed approximately a 10 minute walk from the Colosseum and had decided on a bus trip to get our bearings. We sat on the bus looking around for any sighting of the famous structure and realised as we turned the corner on to Via Claudia we saw it, sitting at the end of the road in all its glory. The History************** ...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 16, 2009

Colosseum (Coliseum)
Piazza Del Colosseo
Rome, Italy 00184
+39 (06) 7004261

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Sistine Chapel

Attraction | "A Walk Through Catholicism"

Quote:

The Sistine Chapel was commissioned in 1475 by Pope Sixtus IV and this is where the name comes from too. It was designed for the Pope, as his chapel and is still used as today. The Papal elections also take place within the walls of the Sistine Chapel, and the important ritual of Conclave. The entrance to the Sistine Chapel is not visible from the front (or what I call the front - St Peter's Square) you must walk round the walled state going right. I would say the entrance is virtually half way round the entire state (so directly half way from the entrance at St Peters). I would call this the back. The entrance is quite large and seems purpose built for tourists. It is labelled...Read More

The Sistine Chapel was commissioned in 1475 by Pope Sixtus IV and this is where the name comes from too. It was designed for the Pope, as his chapel and is still used as today. The Papal elections also take place within the walls of the Sistine Chapel, and the important ritual of Conclave.

The entrance to the Sistine Chapel is not visible from the front (or what I call the front - St Peter's Square) you must walk round the walled state going right.

I would say the entrance is virtually half way round the entire state (so directly half way from the entrance at St Peters). I would call this the back. The entrance is quite large and seems purpose built for tourists. It is labelled Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums.

After queuing for 20 minutes we entered and queued to pay for our tickets. This cost 7 Euro's per adult.

Walking to the Sistine Chapel is quite far as you have to walk through many passages that include the Tapestry Gallery, this is great and you feel like you're getting your money's worth BUT I do find 20 corridors of very similar things boring (or dragged out), I mean yes the paintings and tapestries are amazing and intricately made or painted but really I've seen 100. I also know being human is to want to be 'top dog' but some of the stuff was disturbing, I know people have fought through the ages but paintings of grown men stealing and stabbing babies from women - is that art? Not in my book, I don't like looking at things like this, no matter who painted it.

After reading Angels and Demons I actually knew a fair bit more about the Sistine Chapel than my other half, we both had previously heard of it and he knew the paintings of Michelangelo were what made it famous, although I just assumed it was another holy room. I was not aware that this is the room where conclave took place and each new Pope was elected.

The Sistine Chapel is amazing and home to the famous painting of the twelve apostles by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, commissioned by Pope Julius II. Originally the ceiling was painted by Piero Matteo d'Amelia. Michelangelo was not happy about having to paint, he considered himself a sculpture and was working on the Popes tomb at the time. Lucky he did really take the opportunity to paint as it has ironically become his most famous piece. There are over 300 people in the work of art. Although this is one of the most spectacular pieces of art in the world today, Michelangelo suffered after 4 years of painting Michelangelo's eye sight was permanently damaged. This makes you really appreciate what it must have been like, stuck in the Sistine Chapel for 4 years, in dark, cramped conditions.

There are many tapestries and paintings to look out and it is a lot to take in.

Michelangelo was also asked back by Pope Clement IIV in 1534 to paint the Last Judgment on the alter wall. There are also tapestries on the walls designed by Raphael (for all you Angels and Demons fans), woven in Brussels in 1515-1519 then taken to the Vatican.

In the Sistine Chapel you are not supposed to talk (which is fine, except people do and the guards or workers shout at them to shut up) this completely ruins the atmosphere and totally lacks respect.

You are NOT allowed to take photos in here (and this is what gets me - why when told you are not allowed a picture, 10 people feel the urge to in fact defy the rules and take one?) This really annoys me as a tourism student I have learned a lot about preservation of these attractions and the reason you are not to take photo's is to preserve it, photo flashes very often affect paintings and colours so don't ruin it for the next generation by being selfish, if you want a picture in your album - google it and get an image. Rant over.

The Sistine Chapel is a must when visiting Rome and the Vatican, it isn't expensive, it's just a shame about the number of tourists, especially with all the corridors leading to the Sistine Chapel, you would think they would stagger entries. When I was in the Sistine Chapel it was over-crowded and ruined the experience a bit. I was more worried about treading on peoples toes than being able to fully appreciate the ceiling. Read Less

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 16, 2009

Sistine Chapel
Vatican Palace Viale Del Vaticano
607
+39 (06) 8530 1758

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Vatican

Attraction | "The Vatican City - House of The Pope"

Quote:

On a recent trip to Rome I visited the Vatican State - this was mainly due to the fact I had just read Dan Brown's Angels and Demons. I would have gone anyway but I felt I already knew so much about the state from reading the book. Therefore I was far more interested. I am not a religious person, never have been, I appreciate those who have faith and beliefs in their own god or gods, I just don't. For me what happens happens. The Vatican City (state) is located in West Rome, it sits nicely near the bank of the River Timbre and at the front of course is the large front with the Popes balcony, St Peters dome and St Peters Square set out before it (how everyone pictures the Vatica...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 16, 2009

Vatican
Vatican City
Rome, Italy

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Hotel Clarin

Hotel | "Clarin Hotel In Rome"

Quote:

I recently went on a trip to Rome, my first trip in fact to Italy, I love culture and history so this city was a must on my list.Location************* The Clarin Hotel is a 2 star hotel situated in Via Palermo, a street central to the city centre although on the Eastern side, and approximately a 5 minute walk from Termini Station and a 10-12 minute walk to the Coliseum and many other attractions. I would recommend getting the train from the airport (either of them) to Termini Station as the hotel is 2 roads away from the station, and as long as your case has wheels or bag isn't heavy you'll be fine walking it. How, where and why to book******...Read More

Member Rating 4 out of 5 on October 16, 2009

Hotel Clarin
Via Palermo, 36
Rome, Italy 00184
+39 06 47825170

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Rome Journals

When In Room

Mausoleum of Hadrian (Castel Sant'Angelo)

Colosseum (Coliseum)

Sistine Chapel

Vatican

Hotel Clarin

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