Vatican Splendors

I wrote about our trip to see Vatican Splendors in my Week In Review home school report, but I figure maybe it got lost in all the details about math and history books. It was such a great day for us I thought I'd post about it in an easier-to-read, new and improved format. Enjoy!

Bust of an Angel- Giotto

We had a chance on the weekend to go to the Vatican Splendors exhibit at the Minnesota History center as a family and with my Mother in Law. It was really something else!! Ancient mosaic works from circa 799, Michelangelo items and works by Bernini, Giotto, and others! Artwork dating back to the third century! We were also able to view the venerated relics (bone fragments) of Saint Peter to items from the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Some of the items had never before left the Vatican or been on public display. No cameras were allowed in the exhibit so I didn't feel so bad that I forgot mine in the first place. If you go to the Vatican Splendors page from the link above, there is a brief movie to watch which shows some of the items on display (with lovely music) and also a couple other links to some nice photos of selected items. Make sure you take a peek!

Papal cope- Pius ix

I think my favorite pieces were some of the ancient mosaics, the Pope John Paul 2 items, and the Mandylion of Edessa. Fascinating! Charlie (who was incredibly patient and sweet during the whole tour) liked the papal swiss guards best, Ben liked the Michaelangelo room and all the paintings and the amazingly crafted embroidered Papal copes and ...(you get the picture). William liked all the Pope's "shiny stuff' best- patens, chalices, ciborium, lavabo etc. This was really a great experience and a once in a lifetime chance to see some exceptionally beautiful pieces of christian art, and Papal "accoutrement" if you will. And, to put the cherry on the top, as we approached the ticket booth to plop down our $90.00 to get in, a woman came up to us from a tour group and asked us if we needed some tickets. Evidently, some members of her tour were unable to come at the last minute and she had extras! She gave us her five extra tickets. We saw the exhibit for free. What! A! Blessing!