Russell Crowe has experienced something only a few people in the world can ever claim: a private tour of the Sistine Chapel.
The Gladiator star was allowed to walk through the halls of the stunning Vatican museum in ‘silence’ and soaked up every piece of it.
He uploaded photos of his once-in-a-lifetime experience to Twitter, where he expressed how grateful he was.
“I’m not sure there’s a more special privilege in the world than to hold the key for the Sistine Chapel and to experience it’s glory in silence,” he wrote.
I’m not sure there’s a more special privilege in the world than to hold the key for the Sistine Chapel and to experience it’s glory in silence. So grateful.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) July 19, 2022
Sono al servicio di Roma. pic.twitter.com/BjPfPAvoIO
The Aussie actor added: “A very special experience as a family yesterday.
“Got to walk through the Vatican Museum by ourselves. Amazing.
“My mum had walked these corridors with my father 20+ years ago with the thousands of tourist that flock here daily and make it the third most popular museum globally.
“We were given access to rooms, perspectives and parts of the collection you don’t get to see as a regular tourist.
“As we squeezed into a tiny private elevator and ascended to a balcony few get to see, she squeezed my hand and said ‘I wish your father was here’.
A very special experience as a family yesterday. Got to walk through the Vatican Museum by ourselves. Amazing. My mum had walked these corridors with my father 20+ years ago with the thousands of tourist that flock here daily and make it the third most popular museum globally…
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) July 19, 2022
“We stepped on to the balcony, a majestic sweeping view of Rome. From somewhere in the Vatican we could hear the Swiss Guard band rehearsing.”
While it certainly seemed like a special moment for the actor and his family, people on social media haven’t taken too kindly to Crowe getting special treatment.
They were also pretty unhappy with the Aussie actor taking a photo of the famous artwork on the ceiling of the Chapel, which is strictly forbidden.
One person wrote (translated from Italian): “It seems to me, however, that Rome is more at your service for now. Private visit, they let you take pictures in a place where it is categorically forbidden to. It’s not very fair, don’t you think?”
Another added: “So, the church gives privileges to rich and famous people while the plebs have to queue and swelter in the heat.
“Never mind taking photos.”
A third said: “Somebody explain please to the other 99 percent of human beings in the world, even those who where born in Rome, why they JUST CAN’T experience the wonder of the Sistine Chapel in silence, while he can.”
However, some people defended him being able to do what he wants because he starred in Gladiator.
His defenders reckon he brought ‘Rome to the world’ and therefore the Italian city should be at his service.
What's Up Today Editorial Team
Wealth and fame will always have its privilege. Do something good or amazing or have people following you and you as well can visit places not open to the plebe.
Not everybody is equal and not everything is fair and that is the way it is. At least Russell Crowe was not born in a wealthy family and his privilege was not inherited, instead, It is based on his own accomplishments.
Ya, I hear a bunch of whiners crying about how life’s not fair. It’s not meant to be fair. You actually have to do something to get ahead in life. It’s not just handed to crybabies.
Surely you didn’t think that the private tour was free. His monetary contribution to the Sistine Chapel were far greater than ordinary people therefore merits special treatment. Others who also contributed, perhaps received the same special treatments but not shared on twitter. Maybe many of the visitors didn’t ask for special treatment because they can’t afford the private tours. So stop talking about being fair. Get a grip already.