The Belvedere Palace, which dates back to 1484 and houses precious art of the Vatican Museums, is currently being repainted with milk. It's an ancient recipe that has proven more lasting than any modern synthetic paints. The milk is mixed with lime and natural pigments and is painted by hand onto the walls with a century-old technique. The Vatican has been at the forefront of research on the use of essential oils to clean and protect the 570 statues and other marble works of art in their gardens. The palace uses a permanent staff of 100 at the Vatican Museums, who clean and repair art and old buildings for the six million tourists who visit the Vatican each year.
