Neck problems in Vatican City

Can't you hold her upside down?

The last time I was there, I sat on a bench along the wall. At least you can look up without so much neck strain.

There shouldn't be a problem with taking a mirror with you. An 8x10 inch (more-or-less) in a largish handbag or a tote bag probably wouldn't even be remarked upon.

I took a mirror--worked great although mine fit in the palm of my hand.

I think any mirror held in her hand will be too unsteady to be satisfactory. My suggestion would be that she make her way to a corner and that you buy her a small but good quality set of binoculars. The Sistine Chapel is only 40 meters long; she should be able to see the whole ceiling. The ceiling is 21 meters high; binoculars will also let her see much more detail.

Here's a virtual tour that may help her see some details before you arrive. She can then focus on particular points of interest. http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

When I was a college student studying in Germany, we took a field trip to Rome and had a private tour of the Sistene Chapel. We we allowed, even encouraged, to lie on a pew looking straight up at the ceiling. I did so for a good twenty minutes. It's too bad she can't do that now.

When I was a college student studying in Germany, we took a field trip to Rome and had a private tour of the Sistene Chapel. We we allowed, even encouraged, to lie on a pew looking straight up at the ceiling. I did so for a good twenty minutes. It's too bad she can't do that now.

Thanks for the thoughts (well, all but the first). Just watched a TV show where the presenter lied down on the floor in the St Ignatio to see the ceiling. We'll give it a try. All I can do is try my best Italian with the guard... the bench around the edge is a good idea too. We will be focusing on the Baroque this trip...

Nigel, you absolutely cannot lie down in the Sistine Chapel without risking your life! Take a mirror. Binoculars will not help neck strain unless you have customized them as a periscope. I've spent hours in the Sistine Chapel (over many visits) and have left with neck pain every time, even though I started without it. The phrase for neck pain in Italian is "dolore di colla", in case you are asked about the mirror.

Nigel - your wife might enjoy this virtual tour: http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

Nor can you lie down on the pews. They will be full of people sitting. It won't help your neck, but you might want to take some foam earplugs to pop in right before you enter. Seriously. The sound can be deafening and can really spoil the experience.