The first inner courtyard. Our (actually everyone's) first official stop before proceeding into the museums. There are many people and many different tour groups, so I will take a moment to tell you about ours and what our guide told us. From our guide: The Vatican museums were never intended to be museums. At least, that's not how they were originally designed. Instead, its actually the priest's house (a massive, beautiful, ornate house) -- more or less. Consequently, the museum is very narrow and full of tight spaces. So, the Vatican placed big signs and photographs around the courtyard, so that the visitors and tour guides could orient themselves prior to entering the cramped spaces.
Hence, why the first official stop. I didn't really get it at first, but once inside you certain appreciate the time outside focusing on what you really want to see, in order to maximise your time inside!
Here is Jason facing the gorgeous wall in the picture above, and the globe is the most modern sculpture in the Vatican.
More views from the courtyard!
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