Vatican Museums

Overview

The Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) consist of an massive, opulent complex of 54 galleries stretching across 7 kilometres. It houses one of the greatest, most significant, and overwhelmingly valuable collections of classical art and Renaissance masterpieces in human history.

Highlights

• The Sistine Chapel: The unquestionable, absolute crown jewel at the end of the entire museum route. You will stand in deep silence under Michelangelo's dramatic, complex ceiling frescoes and the massive, brooding Last Judgment wall.
• The Raphael Rooms: The intimate, lavish papal apartments serving as the massive rival masterpiece to the Sistine Chapel, featuring Raphael's brilliant, complex School of Athens fresco.
• The Gallery of Maps: A long, impossibly bright, dramatic corridor covered in deep golden stucco and lined with massive, detailed 16th-century topographical maps of Italy.

History

The massive collection began in 1506 when the brilliant, aggressive Pope Julius II purchased the newly discovered ancient statue Laocoön and His Sons, placing it on public display in the Vatican courtyards. For five centuries, successive, powerful Popes relentlessly amassed the greatest classical sculptures and commissioned the greatest living masters to relentlessly decorate their private palaces.

Visitor Tips

• The Slog: The museums are unbelievably massive and, notoriously packed. You cannot view everything. Pre-book an early access or evening ticket online, and follow the direct signs to the Sistine Chapel if you are short on time.
• Dress Code: Like St. Peter's, strict dress codes apply to enter the Sistine Chapel (no bare shoulders or short shorts).