To Truly See the Vatican

Once upon a time in a place not so far away is a city state that attracts millions of visitors every year. Hoards of tourists fill its famous square and marvel at the grandness of its basilica. But then between a sojourn in Venice and the wild escapades in Rome, the foolish tourists leave this city state and forget the marvels it has to offer. When they go back home they recount stories of the Coliseum, they recall their romantic gondola ride, and they show pictures of themselves supporting the leaning tower of Pisa; the small city state already forgotten. 

   
Then one day, a newbie blogger spends days wondering which city she should feature on her blog first. She considered top destinations like Paris and London but then opted for that small city state that seems to have been neglected for far too long. 

 
She closed her eyes and tried to relive that summer day as she was rounding the corner and spotting the majestic columns of the square through an arch for the first time. She remembered walking through four rows of towering columns and being in awe. Then she saw the basilica. She thought it looked simple and small in the vast square but when she entered it she promised never to judge something from the outside. 

 
The basilica was art and art was the basilica. 

 
Faith seemed so tangible within those walls and history was speaking from every corner. In her mind’s eye she was standing again before the Pieta, she was sliding her fingers over the mosaic tiles, and she was holding the rails at the top of the cupola and looking at the country and city beyond. It was all beautiful.

 
The newbie blogger resurfaced from her reminiscing, got out her laptop and began to write. She titled the post: “To Truly See the Vatican”. 

 
You have to have a different mindset when you visit the Vatican. Don’t think fun, crazy, adventure or romance. Think culture, history, art, and faith. Think solitude, reflection, and quiet appreciation, and then you will truly see all that this city state has to offer.

Thanks for reading!