VATICAN CITY - It's 8:15 in the morning, and I'm already falling behind. Before I left for Rome, I had arranged to take a private tour of the Vatican museum and gardens, one of the perks of membership in the Vatican Patrons program. The program raises funds for the important restoration projects at the museum. The tickets themselves provide funding for just the operation of the museum and the Vatican. Chapters around the world choose projects and provide the funding to repair and restore important artwork, not just at the Vatican but at other locations as well. Our chapter is funding a restoration of some items at St. Paul Outside the Walls at the moment, among other projects. Members who travel to Rome on their own can request a private tour with a private guide.
And so at 8:15, my phone rang, with the museum wondering where I was for my 8 am tour. The only problem is that I had it on my schedule for Saturday at 8 am. Fortunately, I am staying close by, so I hit the road and managed to get there in less than 30 minutes. Christina had been waiting patiently, and for the next three hours we toured through the museum and then out to the gardens. Because I came late, the museum was already filling up with tours, but we did spend some time in the Sistine Chapel (no pictures this time), which is simply amazing. Christina and I discussed the history and the process of Michelangelo's artistry and those of the other painters who produced the art in the world's most famous chapel.
After a while, we went out to the gardens, which I had never seen before. I may not be much of a gardener, but I can appreciate beauty when I see it. It was a perfect morning for a stroll outside, as can be seen here.
This fountain was built in the same time frame as St. Peter's Basilica, Christina told me, and was meant to provide a platform for plant life. It's formed out of volcanic rock, and the niches are filled with greenery.
The grounds feature several styles of gardens, and Christina explained the distinctions. This garden is in the English style.
This hedge labyrinth is in the Italian style, and is one of the more memorable presentations.
It's not just the plant life that's memorable, either.
Christina told me that the gardens take up half of the area of Vatican City, roughly 59 acres. Not every tour of the Vatican Museum includes the grounds, so if (or when!) you come to Rome and set up a tour, make sure to choose one that includes the tour. Carve out a few hours on that day, but it will be time well spent.
