David Nicholas

Not just the Sistine Chapel. Many amazing works, sculptures, paintings, frescoes, tapestries, and mosaics. Glad we went on a tour but we’d like to go back again and pass through at a much slower pace to really appreciate everything there is to see.

Nice memorial to an amazing scientist.

More than just David (which is sure the highlight). Take the time to really look at both the sculptures and the paintings. Remarkable details in the sculptures and vibrant colors in the paintings. Examples of how large sculptures were produced using smaller plaster casts.

Look closely on the inside of the arch facing west and you can see a menorah celebrating the defeat of Israel and the sacking of Jerusalem. The structures are beautiful but many have a pretty dark history behind them. Go with a tour group. The queue to get in was the length of several football fields.

So what did you do when you were 25? We took an organized tour. Worth the extra price to avoid the massive lines. Expect crowds. But there are waves and pockets of better photo ops.