VATICAN CITY, ITALY
The semi-circular columns forming the entrance to St. Peter's square
The semi-circular columns forming the entrance to St. Peter's and one of two fountains in the square
Marble saints perch atop the columns that form the entrance to St. Peter's square
St. Peter's Basilica (left), fountain, and columns that frame the semi-circular square
Obelisk (left) and St. Peter's Basilica (center)
St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica, obelisk, and entry columns
Vatican guards
St. Peter's Basilica, fountain, and entry columns
The center dome of St. Peter's Basilica, as seen from beneath the cupola during the climb to the top
Sculpture in St. Peter's Basilica
A sunbeam from the windows beneath the dome illuminates the interior of St. Peter's Basilica
Another exquisitely decorated dome within St. Peter's Basilica
Another exquisitely decorated dome within St. Peter's Basilica
Another exquisitely decorated dome within St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's square as seen from the top of he cupola
The Vatican grounds as seen from the top of the cupola
St. Peter's Basilica domes as seen from the top of the cupola
Marble sculptures that line the rooftop overlooking St. Peter's Basilica (see photo directly above)
The Vatican Museums contain row after row in storeroom after storeroom of ancient artworks
The Vatican courtyards are a virtual gallery of sculpture and antiquities
The courtyard at the Vatican museums
The Vatican courtyards are a virtual gallery of sculpture and antiquities
The courtyard at the Vatican museums
The courtyard at the Vatican museums
One of many intricately painted ceilings at the Vatican museums
One of many intricately painted ceilings at the Vatican museums
One of many intricately painted ceilings at the Vatican museums
One of many intricately painted ceilings at the Vatican museums
One of many intricately painted ceilings at the Vatican museums
One side of the painted ceiling in the Vatican museum's Room of the Stegnatura
One side of the painted ceiling in the Vatican museum's Room of the Stegnatura
Painted ceiling in the Vatican museum's Room of the Incedio of Borgo
Yet another exquisitely designed room at the Vatican museum
Yet another exquisitely designed room at the Vatican museum
One of many intricately painted ceilings at the Vatican museums
One of the fresco paintings that run around the base of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
One of the fresco paintings that run around the base of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
One of the fresco paintings that run around the base of the ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel, looking toward the altar and Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" on the far wall
Michelangelo's famous ceiling in the Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's "Last Judgment" on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel