The Vatican Museums is home to an extraordinary collection of art and historical artifacts amassed by the Roman Catholic Church over centuries. As such, it remains one of the most visited attractions in the world. But navigating through its many halls and galleries can be nothing short of daunting due to its immense size and breadth.
Here’s everything you need to know about what’s inside the Vatican Museums.
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What’s Inside the Vatican Museums: A Detailed Guide
The Vatican Museums’ galleries and museums are housed on different floors. For instance, the Sistine Chapel is on the first floor, the Gallery of Maps and Raphael Rooms is on the second floor, and the Automobile Museum is in the basement. Here’s a rundown of what each floor contains:
First Floor Attractions
Gregorian Egyptian Museum
The Gregorian Egyptian Museum—founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839, comprises nine rooms featuring artifacts from ancient Egypt and Hadrian’s Villa Adriana in Tivoli.
You’ll find this museum in the attraction’s Palace of the Belvedere, and it includes epigraphic artifacts, reconstructions of ancient Egyptian structures, the Carlo Grassi collection, Assyrian reliefs and inscriptions, and the famous Book of the Dead. Once you’ve seen these collections, make sure to visit the museum’s terrace, Nicchione della Pigna; it houses numerous sculptures, making it a treasure trove of ancient Egyptian history.
Chiaramonti Museum
Set up by Italian Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova, this museum comprises three galleries: the Chiaromonti Gallery, which displays numerous sculptures, friezes, and sarcophagi; the Lapidary Gallery, containing over 3,000 inscriptions and epigraphs; and the Braccio Nuovo, which houses classical sculptures. The museum’s grand plan was to showcase the ‘three sister arts’ – sculpture, architecture, and painting.
Braccio Nuovo or New Wing
After the fall of Napoleon, the Vatican sought to retrieve its looted collections from France. The New Wing or Braccio Nuovo, built under the guidance of Pope Pius VII and architect Raffaele Stern, was designed to house these returned artifacts. The neo-classical style wing, completed by Pasquale Belli, features classical sculptures, including 28 niches with life-size statues of emperors and Roman replicas of famous Greek statues, making it a significant addition to the Vatican Museums.
Pio Clementino Museum
One of the most important collections in the Vatican Museums, the Pio Clementino Museum consists of twelve rooms showcasing classical sculptures, findings from Roman and Lazio excavations, and donations from collectors and antiquaries. Named after Pope Clement XIV and Pope Pius VI, the museum features neo-classical architecture by Alessandro Dori, Michelangelo Simonetti, and Giuseppe Camporese. The museum’s artifacts, including those returned from Napoleon after the Treaty of Tolentino, make it a significant repository of classical art and history.
Borgia Apartments
Basically a suite of six rooms, the Borgia Apartments was once the residence by Pope Alexander VI and it was decorated with stunning frescoes by Bernardino di Betto in the 19th century. Following the pope’s death, the apartments were abandoned until they housed some of the nephew cardinals in the late 1800s. Eventually, Leo XIII opened the apartments to the public, revealing their magnificent interiors. The six rooms—Room of the Sibyls, Room of the Creed, Room of the Liberal Arts, Room of the Saints, Room of Mysteries, and Room of Pontiffs—are a testament to the artistic and historical richness of the Vatican.
Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel, nestled within the Museums’ Apostolic Palace, is a magnificent testament to Renaissance art and papal history. Named after Pope Sixtus IV, who commissioned its construction between 1473 and 1481, the chapel is renowned for its breathtaking frescoes. During Sixtus IV’s reign, master artists like Botticelli, Perugino, Pinturicchio, Ghirlandaio, and Rosselli adorned the chapel’s walls with vivid scenes depicting the Life of Moses and the Life of Christ. These masterpieces were completed in 1482, and the chapel was consecrated in 1483. The chapel’s ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 under the patronage of Pope Julius II, is hailed as one of the greatest achievements in Western art. Today, the Sistine Chapel not only serves as a place of worship but also as the site of the Papal conclave, where new popes are elected.
Room of the Aldobrandini Wedding
Previously known as the Room of Samson for its frescoes by Guido Reni depicting the Stories of Samson, the Room of the Aldobrandini Wedding has evolved to showcase a fascinating collection of Roman-era paintings. Since 1838, this room has displayed remarkable works such as the Aldobrandini Wedding, the Odyssey cycle from Via Graziosa, and the Ostia frescoes. Recent additions to this collection include the inscription of the insula Sertoriana and the mosaics from the Furietti collection, offering visitors a rich tapestry of ancient art and history.
Christian Museum
Founded in 1757 by decree of Benedict XIV, the Christian Museum at the Vatican provides a profound insight into the heritage of early Christian faith and culture. It was later expanded to include the Hall of the Papyri and the Room of the Tributes. The Room of Tributes (Sala degli Indirizzi) displays a stunning array of silverware, ivories, enamels, vestments, chalices, crosses, and religious objects from various eras, showcasing the diverse tendencies and preferences in papal patronage over the centuries.
The Vatican Library
The Vatican Library is home to one of the most extensive and significant collections of manuscripts and rare books in the world. Among its notable items are the Codex Vaticanus, one of the oldest extant manuscripts of the Greek Bible, and the Vatican Virgil, a richly illustrated manuscript of Virgil’s works from the 5th century. Additionally, the library houses a remarkable collection of illuminated manuscripts, showcasing the artistry and craftsmanship of medieval scribes.
Profane Museum
Established in 1761 by Clement XIII, the Profane Museum was the Vatican’s first museum dedicated to non-religious antiquities. Initially known as the ‘Medals Room,’ it featured objects from the Carpegna, Vettori, and Assemani collections. Located north of the Clementine Gallery, the museum also housed the papal numismatic collections until the early 19th century.
Gregorian Profane Museum
The Gregorian Profane Museum, initially founded by Gregory XVI in the Lateran Palace in 1884, was relocated to the Vatican in 1970 by John XXIII. This museum features Greek original works, Roman copies, and sculptures dating from the 1st to the 3rd centuries AD. One of the most famous pieces is the Athena and Marsyas group, a copy of a Greek original by Myron. The museum also displays findings from pontifical archaeological excavations in Rome and nearby areas like Cerveteri and Ostia.
Pius-Christian Museum
The Pio-Christian Museum contains Christian antiquities that were originally exhibited in the Lateran Museum. The museum’s collection includes statues, sarcophagi, inscriptions, and archaeological findings dating back to the 6th century. One notable artifact is the statue of the Good Shepherd. The museum was created to house evidence of the early Christian communities, showcasing works transferred from Roman catacombs and churches in Rome.
Pinacoteca
The Pinacoteca is one of the newer yet profoundly significant galleries at the Vatican Museums. This gallery resides in the serene Square Garden and houses an impressive 460 paintings across eighteen rooms. Initially, the collection started with 118 paintings gathered by Pope Pius VI, which were later exhibited publicly after the fall of Napoleon. The gallery’s collection is meticulously arranged by chronology and artistic school, showcasing masterpieces by legendary artists like Giotto, Perugino, Raphael, Leonardo, Titian, Veronese, Caravaggio, and Crespi.
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Second Floor Attractions
Gregorian Etruscan Museum
Founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1837, the Gregorian Etruscan Museum is dedicated to Etruscan antiques unearthed during various excavations in ancient Etruria, then part of the Papal State. The museum features collections of bronze, glass, ivory, terracotta, and ceramics from former Etruscan cities like Vulci, as well as frescoes by Federico Barocci and Federico Zuccari. The museum also offers views of the famous Bramante’s double-helix staircase, adding to its architectural and historical significance.
Gallery of the Candelabra
Originally constructed as a lobby with elegant side arches in 1761, the Gallery of the Candelabra was transformed into a magnificent gallery by covering the arches and painting the ceilings. Named for its grand marble candlestick columns, the gallery was arranged by Pope Pius VI Braschi between 1785 and 1788. Over the years, it has undergone several renovations, the most recent of which has restored it to its former glory. The gallery, commissioned by Pope Pius VI Braschi and later renovated during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII, features massive marble candelabras and colored marble columns that divide the space into six sections. The paintings were executed by artists Domenico Torti and Ludwig Seitz, with marble inlays by Giuseppe Rinaldi and Luigi Medici.
Gallery of the Tapestries
The Tapestry Gallery, established in 1838, houses an exquisite collection of Flemish tapestries made in Brussels by the school of Pieter van Aelst from drawings by Raphael’s pupils. These tapestries depict various episodes from the Life of Christ. The gallery also features 17th-century tapestries illustrating episodes from the Life of Urban VIII. Among the notable works is a series dedicated to the Acts of the Apostles, commissioned by Pope Leo X and based on designs by Raphael. Additionally, the gallery houses a tapestry of the Last Supper, donated by King Francis I to Pope Clement VII in 1533.
Gallery of Maps
The Gallery of Maps is a visually stunning section of the Vatican Museums, featuring 40 frescoed maps that illustrate the Italian regions and papal properties during the time of Pope Gregory XIII. These maps, painted between 1580 and 1585 by the mathematician and cosmographer monk Ignazio Danti, offer a fascinating glimpse into Italy’s geographical and political landscape of the 16th century. The gallery, located on the west side of the Belvedere Courtyard, is 120 meters long and took Danti three years to complete. The maps are arranged to depict the entire Italian peninsula, showcasing regional and geographical distinctions as well as views of Venice, Ancona, Genoa, and Civitavecchia, the four major Italian ports of the 16th century Italy.
Room of the Immaculate Conception (Sobieski Room)
The Sobieski Room derives its name from Jean Matejko’s painting, ‘Sobieski’s Victory over the Turks in Vienna in 1683.’ Adjacent to it is the Vault of the Immaculate Room, which houses a grand showcase filled with books given to Pope Pius IX (1846-1878) by kings, bishops, cities, and dioceses following the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. Created by Francis Podesti, these frescoes begin on the ceiling, depicting the virtues of the Virgin, and continues along the east wall, culminating in the Coronation of the Image of Mary.
The Raphael Rooms
The Raphael Rooms, consisting of the Sala di Costantino, the Stanza di Eliodoro, the Stanza della Segnatura, and the Stanza dell’Incendio del Borgo, form part of the apartment in the Apostolic Palace chosen by Julius II della Rovere as his residence. These rooms are renowned for the breathtaking frescoes painted by Raphael, depicting significant historical and religious scenes. The Raphael Rooms not only highlight the artistic genius of Raphael but also serve as a symbol of the papal authority and the rich cultural heritage of the Vatican.
Basement Attractions
Philately and Numismatic Museum
The Vatican became an independent country in 1929 and it thus issues its own stamps, among other things. Needless to say, the Vatican’s Philately and Numismatic Museum showcases an extensive collection spanning from 1929 to the present, featuring a wide selection of postmarks, sketches, typographic plates, plasters, bronze casts, stamps, and coins.
Ethnological Museum
Founded in 1884 by Gregory XVI in the Lateran Palace and later relocated to the Vatican in 1970 by John XXIII, the Ethnological Museum showcases a rich collection of gifts received by the Vatican over centuries from various empires and countries. The museum features a diverse array of artifacts, including Greek and Roman sculptures dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD, models of Beijing’s Temple of the Sky, the Altar of Confucius, and the Shintoist Temple of Nara, Japan. It also houses statues from Tibet, Indonesia, India, the Far East, Mexico, Guatemala, and Nicaragua, as well as items from Islamic and Central African cultures.
Carriage Pavilion
The Carriage Pavilion is a fascinating gallery that exhibits ceremonial carriages and an exclusive collection of automobiles. Among the notable vehicles are the Graham-Paige 837, Citroën Lictoria C6, Mercedes 460 Nürburg limousine designed by Ferdinand Porsche, and the Fiat Campagnola associated with the assassination attempt on John Paul II. The pavilion also displays Popemobiles like the Land Rover, Toyota, and Mercedes 230 GE, along with the last Beetle produced by Volkswagen in Mexico in 2003. Apart from these, also on display is the Grand Gala Berlin and nine other ceremonial berlins used by Pontiffs and Princes of the Holy Roman Church.
Top 8 Vatican Museums Art and Sculpture Exhibits
The Bramante Staircase
The Vatican Museums are home to two fascinating Bramante Staircases. The original, crafted by Donato Bramante in 1505, is a historic marvel but unfortunately, it’s not open to visitors. However, you can experience the modern version designed by architect Giuseppe Momo in 1932.
The modern Bramante Staircase, with its ingenious double helix design, allows people to ascend and descend without ever crossing paths. Just make sure you don’t go down till the end of the stairs as it leads directly to the exit; once you leave, you won’t be able to re-enter.
Raphael’s Transfiguration
This captivating painting by Raphael within the Vatican Pinacoteca, beautifully illustrates Jesus Christ as both human and divine. Commissioned by Cardinal Giulio de’ Medici, who later ascended to the papacy as Pope Clement VII, this painting is divided into two distinct parts: the serene, light-colored upper half depicting the tranquil divinity of Jesus, and the darker lower half representing the troubled, earthly realm.
Laocoon and His Sons
The Laocoön is a stunning group of statues that dramatically captures the moment two sea serpents, sent by the gods, attack the Trojan priest Laocoön and his two sons. This remarkable sculpture, dating back to 30 BC, was unearthed in 1506 on Rome’s Esquiline Hill and has since become one of the Vatican Museums’ most exquisite and must-see exhibits.
Often hailed as ‘the prototypical icon of human agony’ in Western art, the Laocoön Group portrays intense suffering that offers no solace or reward.
The Apollo Belvedere
The Apollo Belvedere is one of the most magnificent ancient sculptures ever created, embodying the pinnacle of classical beauty and artistry. This iconic piece was one of the first artworks acquired for the Vatican’s collection, predating the establishment of the Vatican Museums themselves, highlighting its foundational importance. Legend has it, this statue was a favorite of Napoleon Bonaparte, who took it to The Louvre. Following his defeat, the revered sculpture was triumphantly returned to the Vatican.
The Rotunda
The Sala Rotonda, or Rotunda Room, is a captivating highlight of the Vatican Museums, reminiscent of Paris’s Pantheon but on a more intimate scale. Don’t miss the striking Oculus in the ceiling and the beautiful decorative rosettes adorning the dome. The room also features an impressive Porphyry Basin, a colossal structure with a diameter of 13 meters (42.6 feet), carved from igneous rock formed from molten lava. The term ‘Porphyry’ originates from the Greek word for ‘Purple,’ a color reserved for Roman royalty.
The School of Athens by Raphael
Nestled in the Papal Apartments, ‘The School of Athens’ by Raphael, is a remarkable assembly of renowned figures from various eras and locations. This imaginative gathering features iconic personalities such as Plato, Aristotle, Leonardo da Vinci, Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Heracleitus, and even Raphael himself!
The Creation of Adam
Between 1508 and 1512, Michelangelo undertook the monumental task of painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, creating nine stunning scenes from the Book of Genesis.
The ‘Creation of Adam’ is perhaps the most celebrated painting of the entire series, capturing the dramatic moment when God gives life to Adam with a mere touch. This masterpiece has become an enduring symbol of human potential and divine inspiration. Its popularity rivals that of Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, and it is revered as one of the greatest achievements in Western art.
The Last Judgment
The Sistine Chapel is not only home to Michelangelo’s renowned ceiling but also to another of his masterpieces: The Last Judgment. This monumental fresco covers the entire altar wall of the chapel and stands as one of the most awe-inspiring paintings in the Vatican Museums.
Painted between 1535 and 1541, when Michelangelo was in his sixties, The Last Judgment showcases the artist’s matured genius and profound understanding of human emotion and divine drama. The fresco depicts the Second Coming of Christ and the final judgment of souls, capturing a tumultuous scene of angels, saints, and sinners with breathtaking intensity.
Tips to Enhance Your Vatican Museums Experience
- You need to buy a ticket to visit the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel; make sure you buy them in advance to avoid the long tourist lines.
- The Vatican Museums.have around 1,400 rooms of art! That means you’ll have to keep aside at least 3 hours of your time for the Museums
- Research and prioritize beforehand on what collections you want to see and visit first
- Wear comfortable clothing and shoes that abide to the Vatican’s dress code. Touring the Museums means there’s a lot of walking involved
- While photography is allowed in other sections of the Museums, it is strictly prohibited inside the Sistine Chapel
- Around 6.8 million people visited the Museums last year. Naturally, it’s crowded. So book your ticket ahead of the peak season and close to the opening hours or late noon
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