[Cincinatus]

I was visited the Sistine Chapel two years ago. The trick is to get into the Vatican Museum first thing in the morning and head straight for the chapel, before the place gets crowded. It is virtually empty first thing in the morning. Contemplating the frescoes is a powerful, overwhelming experience and the quiet of the early morning solitude only makes it better.

[DManA]

I suppose the guys counting the cash flow from the drunken hurd are pushing back pretty hard.

[AnotherUnixGeek]

Five million tourists surge through the chapel every year, craning their necks to get a glimpse of the scenes painted on the 130ft-long ceiling, flouting the ban on flash photography and ignoring pleas from guards to lower their voices.

Sounds unpleasant (like every other over-crowded tourist trap), but I don't see how flash photography and loud voices are going to damage Michelangelo's work. Maybe the humidity levels if too many people are packed into the chapel at the same time.

When it comes to famous artwork at historic European sites, the best policy is to be there when the doors open in the morning - for instance, at the Louvre come in early and get Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, a few others out of the way first. Then spend the rest of the morning appreciating works in less crowded sections. Next morning, Musee D'Orsay, rinse and repeat.

[kidd]

I was there 15 years ago.
Yes, it was jam packed.
“Drunken herd” is a bit harsh. 95% were respectful of the requests for quiet and no flash photos.

And yes, it is worth the wait and the crowds.

[Fresh Wind]

This sounds like something Harry Reid might have said when talking about the tourists that stink up the Capitol building.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I think the title is misleading. The Vatican isn’t in a row over “drunken herds”. The critics are.

[bboop]

We were there two years ago. OK, Easter week. We expected crowds. The Sistine Chapel was like a train station - noisy, rowdy, not reverential in any sense of the word. It would be good to do something.

First thing in the morning is a great idea. We had a guide, which helped in the museum itself.