The Vatican

On day two in Rome we visited the Vatican, which is an independent counrty, with the pope as its ruler. We can't say enough about all of the antiquities, ceiling paintings,and wall paintings in the Vatican museum, St. Peter's Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel. The ceiling paintings were very impressive. With all of the marble statues, dating back to 300 BC, we were in overload by the end of the morning. After a quick bite of lunch, we finished the afternoon enjoying the Villa Borghese museum and gardens. Pictured are a bronze fountain in the Vatican entry courtyard, one of the painted ceilings in the Vatican museum, a marble bowl in the Vatican museum, St.Peter's Basilica dome, and the entrance to St. Peter's Basilica.