Rome/Vatican City
TOP ATTRACTIONS
IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS
SISTINE CHAPEL
Renowned for its inspirational frescoed ceiling by
Michelangelo between 1505 and 1512, the Sistine Chapel is
also the gathering place of the Sacred College of Cardinals
when they meet to elect a new pope.
Portrayals of The Last Judgment, The Creation of Adam,
The Fall of Man and the Expulsion from Paradise are among
Michelangelo’s masterworks here, although he always
considered himself more of a sculptor than a painter.
The chapel contains what is considered by many to be
the greatest achievements of the Renaissance.
TIP: Go to one side of the chapel and wait for a spot to
open up on one of the benches lining the wall. You can
sit down and admire the ceiling without straining your
neck or getting dizzy.
RAPHAEL ROOMS
Among the artistic treasures of the Vatican Museums,
the four opulent suites that make up the Raphael Rooms
are second in importance only to the Sistine Chapel.
Painstakingly created by artist Raphael (Raffaello Sanzio
da Urbino) and his students between 1508 and 1524, these
galleries, located on the second floor of the Pontifical
Palace contain huge frescoes — foremost among them
The School of Athens, which depicts the great philosophers
of the Classical world.
FUN FACT: Raphael snuck in a self-portrait, in the guise
of the Greek painter Apelles of Kos.
CHIARAMONTI MUSEUM
Set in a long loggia lined with thousands of ancient marble
portrait busts, idealistic and funerary sculptures, as well
as a rare 1st-century statue of Augustus, the Chiaramonti
Museum is named after Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti
(1800-1823).
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RAPHAEL ROOMS