My trip throughout Europe allowed me to encounter some of the most beautiful views and people imaginable; however, none of that could have prepared me for what the Vatican City held to offer. While only two miles around, the Vatican holds over 20+ museums and more precious artifacts than anywhere else in the world. It is home to the Pope, the world-renowned Swiss Guards, and many more Fathers and Nuns from across the globe seeking salvation, spiritual duty, or pilgrimage. The atmosphere in the Vatican is unlike anything else I have ever experienced—both solemn and alive with centuries of preserved tradition.
I had the pleasure of visiting the Sistine Chapel and was able to view Michelangelo’s famous paintings: The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment. The scale of these works is absolutely unbelievable, both stretching across the ceiling and altar wall in staggering detail. While we were only allowed a short time inside the chapel, the beauty of the frescoes invoked a deep sense of reverence and admiration—not just for the artist’s genius, but also for those who have painstakingly preserved it through generations.
It is said that within thirty years the Vatican may be forced to retire the Sistine Chapel from public view due to oxidation slowly degrading the vivid colors. There is no real fix besides eventually closing the space to tourists. Knowing that made the experience even more powerful. To witness what could one day become inaccessible was a bucket list item like no other.