Monday 22nd

Caravaggio's Deposition in the Vatican Museum

Raining heavily today. We had tickets for the Vatican Museums at 11.30. We arrived early by bus, found our meeting point and had a coffee. Our guide gave us blue cards and then took us into the Vatican and got us our entry tickets. It was very crowded inside and out. There were pictures and posters of the new Pope, Papa Francisco, all over the place.

The ceiling of the maps corridor was beautiful

First we went to see the Pinacoteca or art museum with works by Lippi, Fra Angelico and Rafael. We liked the Raphael Transfiguration and the Caravaggio Deposition. We missed the sculptures. Then we walked through the map corridor with its decorated ceiling, and the Rafael rooms where we saw his works including the School of Athens. Then we joined the crowds in the Sistine Chapel. No photos or talking were allowed.

Michaelangelo's famous Pieta in St. Peter's

We left the Vatican and defied the rain to visit St. Peter's, where the highlight was Michaelangelo's Pieta.

We took a taxi back to the hotel. Still cold and wet.  Wondering where to go for dinner. We ended up in the Campo de' Fiore, and took cover in Maranega. We started with a glass of Montepulciano and bruschetta, and then had a hot meal - grilled chicken for me and steak for Richard, with more red wine. There were musicians playing in the square - the usual repertoire on guitar and sax. I gave the waiter a tip.