Art & Fresh Air (The Vatican Museums & Gardens)
Hey Y’all!
One of the highlights of our time in Rome was visiting the Vatican Museums, and I couldn’t wait to share it with you. These halls hold centuries of art, faith, and history—truly some of the most breathtaking pieces ever created. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed in a place this massive, but oh my goodness… it’s worth every step.
If you think “museum” means a quiet room with a few paintings, think again. The Vatican Museums are miles (literally!) of corridors filled with some of the most important art in human history. It can be overwhelming, but if you know where to look, it is absolutely breathtaking.
A Breath of Fresh Air: The Pinecone Courtyard
One of the first stops inside is the Cortile della Pigna (Pinecone Courtyard). It gets its name from a massive ancient bronze pinecone that once served as a fountain in ancient Rome.
But right in the middle of this ancient history, there is something that made me stop and stare. It’s called Sphere Within a Sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro. It’s a huge, shiny, golden ball that looks like it’s about to crack open, revealing gears inside.
To be honest, it looked a little odd to me! It’s this extremely modern piece of art sitting right in the middle of such a historic place. It definitely stands out, but that’s Rome for you—history and modern life constantly bumping into each other.
The Famous Statues (and the Power of Patience)
We moved into the Octagonal Court to see some of the art world’s heavy hitters, including the Laocoön. This is the famous marble statue of a man and his sons fighting off sea serpents. It is incredibly dramatic.
Because it’s so famous, the crowds here can be intense. Everyone is trying to get “the shot.” But I was determined!
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Travel Tip: Patience is a virtue. If you wait your turn and don’t rush, the crowd will eventually part. It paid off, and I got a perfect view of the details without a sea of heads in my way.
The Hall of Maps: Looking Up
Then came the hallway that I still dream about: The Gallery of Maps.
This corridor is lined with massive, centuries-old painted maps of Italy. I wanted to stop and look at every single one to see how the geography has changed (or stayed the same!). But I was torn, because I literally couldn’t take my eyes off the ceiling.
The ceiling is so gorgeous it almost glows. It was crowded, and the flow of people kind of pushed you along, but I fought the urge to rush. I definitely want to revisit this hallway just to spend more time soaking in those details.
The View Everyone Misses
While everyone was rushing to the next exhibit, I decided to look out the window. I am always looking for the shot that other people overlook, and I found it here.
The view of the Vatican Gardens and the Radio Tower against the blue sky was breathtaking. It was so peaceful compared to the busy galleries inside.
My biggest piece of advice? Don’t be the person who rushes past the gardens.
Take a moment to stroll, look out the windows, and take it ALL in. The gardens are just as full of history as the statues. You won’t regret slowing down.
Practical Tips for the Museums
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Don’t Wing It—Let Me Book It: The lines here are legendary. As a travel agent, I can handle the booking for you so you aren’t stuck standing in the sun.
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Pro Tip: Special “off-hours” tours are available. They cost a little more, but they let you visit the museums with significantly fewer people. If you hate crowds, this is worth every penny. Ask me about adding this to your itinerary!
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BYO Water: Make sure you have a bottle of water tucked in your bag before you start. It gets warm, and there is a lot of walking; you will be so glad you have it when you finally reach the gardens and need a cool drink.
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Wear Comfortable Shoes: I know I said this in Part 1, but I mean it. The museums are vast.
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Look Out the Windows: It’s easy to get “museum fatigue,” but looking outside at the city and the gardens resets your brain.
A Little About Me
Hi y’all, I’m Tara! There’s nothing I love more than traveling the world with my husband, Mike, and exploring the beauty of God’s handiwork. As an avid reader, when I’m not off on a real-life adventure, you can usually find me reading about one!
I poured that passion into my business, Tailored Travel, a full-service travel agency where my team and I would be tickled to help you cross off the next destination on your list—including this beautiful place.
Let’s Start Designing Your Dream Trip!
Email: tara@tailoredtravel.vacations
Phone: (423) 641-1070
