The Sistine Chapel

A few days ago, while I was running, I heard on the radio a piece of news about the Sistine Chapel. Apparently, the air pollution brought on by tourists flocking has had a negative effect on the chapel's frescoes. People in charge explained that they started to notice it four years ago and for that reason they decided to install new air conditioning to help to preserve one of the best pieces of art in the world.

Some news point out that the managers of the Sistine Chapel consider far too much the amount of people that visited it; they have even threatened with putting a limited number of visitors to preserve the paintings. Such a great piece of art shouldn’t be forbidden for people.

One of my dreams was to visit Rome. Greece and Rome are the parents of our culture and I was willing to visit one of the most important cities in our history and that gathered so many pieces of arts. Since I studied History of Art, I wanted to visit Rome because I wanted to see a lot of things and enjoy having a look to some of the best creations of a human being.

Of course, the visit to the Vatican Museum was a must. There were two options: quick or in depth visit. Obviously, we picked the second one because I wasn’t going to miss such an opportunity. I am not sure If I will be back ever again.

It was one of my dreams because I really wanted to see the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel and contemplate one of the best works of the great Michel Angelo. The view didn’t disappoint me.

I remember staying still in the room, looking up my head and enjoying that incredible painting. I wondered how this genius was able to create such an incredible piece of art that has become one of the essential art works in history.

The painting, the colours, all the work behind that fresco... When I think about it I feel a real privileged  person because I am sure a lot of people would pay to stay in that room enjoying the view. I have to admit that I would have been there four hours but, of course, I had a lot to things to do.

What really annoyed me were the hundreds of people that got in the Sistine Chapel and walked out without lifting their heads to look the frescoes. I understand that not everybody likes art, I understand that maybe not everybody is conscious of the opportunity they have, but I don’t understand why if you have the option to be one minute, just one minute, looking to those magnificent painting they just don’t do it.

I remember that Jéssica and I talked about it when we finished the visit and we were absolutely flabbergasted. Why if you pay a ticket you don’t stop in the best room of all? I would have liked to ask them and tell them the mistake they were doing and explained to them the importance of that painting. I hope that if they ever go back they don’t make the same mistake. I can assure that if I am lucky to go to Rome again, I will visit the Sistine Chapel without a doubt. It is an experience one never forgets.