Submitted by Sydney Ballenger on the 2024 Spring program in Rome, Italy…
This week, I finally made it to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica! Visiting Vatican City had been on my bucket list since I decided to study abroad in Rome and I found myself with tickets for a time slot on a weekday squeezed between two classes.
The walk was only twenty-five minutes along the Tiber River and the weather was beautiful. I made my way through all of the rooms of the Vatican museums– they have a fascinating collection of art, pottery, and statues. The architecture of the museums is stunning and I was constantly staring up at the beautiful and ornate ceilings. My favorite parts were the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and, of course, the Sistine Chapel. Following the Vatican Museums, I went to St. Peter’s Square and enjoyed the sunlight and beautiful view. (Submitted on January 31, 2024)