Kaye Family Journey: Vatican City-

Vatican City is its own country- & I don't mean that figuratively. Because of an agreement made by Mussolini to end an also 60 year stand-off between the pope and the Kingdom of Italy, Vatican City is now the world's smallest monarchy with the pope as king. It has everything you would expect- its own flag, police, jail, radio statio, postal system, bank and its own mint. (A special treaty allows the printing of Vatican euro coins even though it cannot be a member of the EU since it is not a democracy).

We visited the Vatican museums first & then took in Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel before stepping into the world's largest & grandest church. Our guide Sylvia made the museum very interesting for the boys & I was fascinated to learn about and see sculptures in the gardens that history tells us inspired Michelangelo's painted figures on his famous ceiling & altar wall.

We, of course, climbed to the top of St. Peter's dome (even though there was an elevator available) & watched the changing of the Swiss guards who since the 1500's have protected the pope. The boys were in agreement that they should shed the Renaissance garb & go ahead and update their uniforms to something more intimidating.

Outside Vatican city lies Castel Sant' Angelo which was first the tomb of the emperor Hadrian then a military fortress/prison and finally another papal residence/place of refuge. At one time there was a half-mile long passageway that connected St. Peter's to the castle for easy access and an escape route for the pope if necessary. The castle's sorted history and open air exploration was fun for all of us.