宗教圣地 - 梵蒂冈(梵蒂冈博物馆) *The Sacred Land of Vatican City (Musei Vaticano) (9 Aug 08)

先来说说这世界数一数二的博物院（Musei Vaticano,英语叫Vatican Museum）吧！这博物院建立于16世纪，整个博物院一共分成了54个部门。当然，我们没那么多的体力走完整个博物院。和英国的国家博物院比较之下，虽然梵蒂冈博物院的建筑物比较漂亮，而且也藏了很多雕像及油画，但我还是认为British Museum最棒！British Museum所收藏的东西比梵蒂冈博物院所收集的东西多出好几倍，而且还是那种两天都走不完也看不完。。。去了两次，还是没办法把British Museum 里的东西看完。。。

参观梵蒂冈博物院是必须付费的。门票是 €14一人，只有26岁以下的欧洲学生可以享有折扣。其他国家来的有学生是不可能享有这特别折扣的。有一点是值得和大家分享的：每一月最后的一个星期日门票是免费的。但得很早就去排队了，要不然队会很长。

走着走着，我们不小心进入了Capella Sistina/ The Sistine Chapel。来这里的目的除了观赏 The Last Judgement 壁画之外，我们也该找 Michael Angelo 的那张Creation of Adam。最大的画应该是 The Last Judgement，画的是关于judgement day 的寓言。基本上整个Sistine Chapel 是演绎了圣经里的故事，保括亚当和夏娃图，诺亚舟图，也有一部分Old Testament的圣经故事在此。很可惜，我们不被允许拍照。

Musei Vaticano (in English it is known as Vatican Museum) was built in 16 century. All together there are 54 departments in this museum, I couldn't finish visiting all departments within half a day time. Comparatively, Musei Vaticano does not have as many collected items as British Museum.

The admission fee to Musei Vaticano is 14 Euro per person. Only European students who are below 26 years old are entitled to pay half price. However, admission fee is free for everyone on the last Sunday of each month. It is best to go early in the morning (on last Sunday of each month) to avoid the crowd and the long queue.

Capella Sistina or more welknown as The Sistine Chapel is located in Musei Vaticano as well. However, photos are not allowed in this small chapel. What attracted visitors to come to The Sistine Chapel is the artwork of Micharl Angelo - named Creation of Adam. The largest wall painting is The Last Judgement, it illustrates the phenomenon of judgement day, as predicted. Basically the whole chapel is full of drawing, and these drawings are related to stories from the bible. There are also Adam and Hava, The Noah Ark and some other stories from The Old Testament.


和比萨店的老板照相。这位老板很和蔼可亲。
Took photo with the restorant owner. He is a very friendly Italian.



我们一进去梵蒂冈博物院后，上了电梯就走到这个大花园(Cortile della Pigna)。花园的正中央有一个很大的金球 - Sphere Within Sphere。
We came to Cortile della Pigna (a huge garden in Musei Vaticano) after passing the entrance door and took an elevator. Sphere Within Sphere is a big golden globe placed in the centre of the garden.




Cortile della Pigna这个名字取至图中的那个水池里的松树果实。
The name of the garden - Cortile della Pigna is originated from the pine fruit statue that stands in the garden.

博物院里其中一个藏最多石雕像的部门。

One of the departments in Musei Vaticano that contains most statues.

Statue of Venus Felix

The Laocoon Group

Statue of the Tigris

Photo taken at the Gregorian Egyptian Museum.

墙上的其中一个壁画。很3D。

A painting on the ceiling, it looks so 3D.

这里是博物院里其中一个漂亮的地方。这里收藏的是16世纪的地图。这个部门叫Gallery della Carte Geografiche/ Gallery of Map。

This is another department in Musei Vaticano, it is called Gallery della Carte Geografiche, or also known as Gallery of Map. This department exhibits 16 centuries maps.

One of the map....

This is the dome of Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano/ Saint Peter's Basilica, took this photo from Musei Vaticano.

This is the most beautiful department in Musei Vaticano.

这个旋转的楼梯是梵蒂冈博物院的特色之一。

Don't forget to visit this spiral stairway in Musei Vaticano.

宗教圣地 - 梵蒂冈 *The Sacred Land of Vatican City (9 Aug 08)

Part of Circus of Nero


听过了梵蒂冈，没想到这一次竟然有机会来这里目睹这一块神圣的土地。基本上梵蒂冈是位于罗马的西北部。它被一道高高的墙围绕着，与罗马隔离了。虽然梵蒂冈用的是意大利的钱币，地方code也与罗马相同，但梵蒂冈却是独立的。换一句话说，梵蒂冈是一个世界上最小的独立国。不但如此，它也是天主教的总部。这小国家成立于1929年，整个国家的面积只有大概100 acres，全国人民大概只有800人，比我念中学时候的学校还要少人，震撼！

要从罗马市中心搭地铁直接到梵蒂冈，只要下Ottaviano San Pietro地铁站就行了，车程大概是半个钟。到了站后还需要走大概10-15分钟的路才会到达梵蒂冈的墙门。虽然说梵蒂冈是个独立的国家，但进去时却没有关口检查。一从围墙下走过去后，我整个人傻眼了！原来梵蒂冈是一个那么堂皇的地方呀！一踏进这片土地，第一眼看到的当然是那围着广场的圆形建筑物（Circus of Nero）。一整个圆圈的建筑物都是用一根根的大理石柱子撑着，建筑物的最上方还雕了一整排的人像，围绕着广场，真的好美。怪不得UNESCO把这地方封为 World Heritage。

除了周围的建筑物很出色之外，梵蒂冈的广场(Piazza di San Pietro, 英语叫St.Peter Square)也相当的‘豪华’。基本上这个广场的设计和伦敦的Trafalgar Square 有一点相似。广场的正中央有一个高高的纪念碑，纪念碑的两旁有两个很大的喷水池。它的美，真的很难用言语来形容。至于圣彼得教堂呢？我只能用4个字形容：堂皇高贵！

Vatican City is the world's smallest country located at north west Rome. Vatican City is separated from Rome by a ring of tall wall. Although it is an independant country, it uses Rome's country code and the same currency. This country was found in year 1929. It is only 100 acres big and with a population of around 800 people. I was shocked when got to know that the total pupulation in this country is not even half of the total number of students in my secondary school.

The nearest Metro Station is Ottaviano San Pietro. After getting down at the station, take roughly 10-15 minutes walk, you will then reach the main entrance of Vatican City. The entire place of Vatican City is surrounded by a ring of tall wall. I was stunt when I walked pass the main entrance and saw the beauty of this land. Circus of Nero attracted me most, it is a big circle of pillars with lots of statues on top. The view is absolutely breathtaking! That was why Vatican City is marked as one of the world's heritage.

Other than Circus of Nero, Vatican City has a huge and attractive plaza stands in the centre of the building. This plaza is called Piazza de San Pietro, or in English it is known as St. Peter Square. The design is almost similar to Trafalgar Square in London. There is an Egyptian Obelisk in the centre and 2 huge fountains on both sides of this plaza. Mean while, Basilica di San Pietro in Vacatino or also known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is another tourist attraction that one shall not miss. Frankly speaking, it is hard to describe the beauty of this holy church, so why don't we go straight to see the photos? :)


就是这堵墙把梵蒂冈和罗马分开了。
The wall behind separates Vatican City from Rome.



Standing on Piazza di San Pietro. Behind is part of Circus of Nero.

Part of Piazza di San Pietro/ Saint Peter Square. The Egyptian Obelisk stands in the middle, while 2 huge fountains stand on both sides.

Statues on pillars.

梵蒂冈兵士们的制服很特别，也很出色！

On duty guards/army with their unique and colorful uniform.

Behind us is Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano/ Saint Peter's Basilica.

This photo was taken while we were queuing to enter Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano/ Saint Peter's Basilica. These were the people who queued behind us.

Basilica di san Pietro in Vaticano/ Saint Peter's Basilica.

圣彼特教堂是全世界最大的基督教堂。

Inside the basilica.... It has the largest interior of any Christian Church in the world.

进去教堂之前必须遵守衣着方面的条规。

Don't forget to follow the dress code before entering the basilica.

Was wondering how this huge piece of marble was crafted ....

照片的最左边有一个像似亭子之类的东西(Bernini's Baldaccino/St. Peter Baldaccino)。其实这座‘亭子’的正中央是圣彼得的坟墓。圣彼得是梵蒂冈最早的执教人，也是梵蒂冈最早的首领。

On the most left is Bernini's Baldaccino, or also known as St.Peter Baldaccino. It is a altar with 4 golden pillars. In the centre is where they buried St.Peter - the first pope/leader of this holy land.

看大家跑去摸St.Peter 石像的脚，我也跑去摸了。听说摸了会带来给你好运呢！有一点想提一下的：由于每一天都有那么多人经过这石像然后摸他的脚一次，你会发现到被摸的那一支脚已经被磨得圆滑了，连一些脚趾都被磨光了！

It is believed that touching St.Peter's statue will bring good luck! Too many people touche this statue's feet everyday, and look at what happen to the toes.

Statue of Longinus

圣彼特教父的‘宝座’，命名为Cathedra Petri.

This used to be the 'throne' of St. Peter, it is called Cathedra Petri.

看到亭子(Bernini's Baldaccino/St. Peter Baldaccino) 中间的那一副棺材吗？当然哪个棺材是假的，真的就埋在假棺的下面而已。做这幅假棺是要让参观者知道圣彼特就埋在这里。

There is a replica coffin in the centre of Bernini's Baldaccino/ St. Peter Baldaccino. The real coffin was buried underneath.

The dome at the basilica.

教父名单。

Name list of popes.

The whole view of Piazza di San Pietro/ St. Peter Square.

The Holy Gate. Won't be opened unless there is special occasion.

这就是建立在圣彼特广场中间的纪念碑。

This is the Egyptian Obelisk that stands in the centre of Piazza di San Pietro/ St.Peter Square.

Circus of Nero.