Highlights
- The Map Rooms
- Ancient Greek Sculpture of Hermes
- Sistine Chapel
- Statue of the 4th Emperor of Rome: Claudius
- Expulsion of Heliodorus from the temple
Preview Description
Uncover great artistic masterpieces of the Vatican on this tour specifically designed for visitors with limited time.
Description
Discover the figures, the technique and the meaning of the frescoes created in 4 years of Michelangelo's timeless passion on our Sistine Chapel tour. Find out how he lived and who the priests were that commissioned his works. Wander through museums as you let our expert guide reveal the mysteries and insights of the depicted characters.
Discover how the church’s admiration for art has led to such a vast collection of treasures in the Vatican Museums recovered from underground after years of neglect.
An itinerary designed for you to visit the Vatican and discover the best of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums.
On this Vatican tour you’ll discover the treasures of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums. In the company of one of our expert guides, marvel at masterpieces by Michelangelo and Raphael.
Enjoy the beauty of the Sistine Chapel
Gaze up at the ceiling and admire the frescoes while your guide explains the secrets of Michelangelo’s intricately detailed frescoes on our Stistine Chapel tour.
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel contains hundreds of figures, including Adam and Eve, Noah, Jonah, saints, prophets, sibyls, and the decorative nude figures known as “ignudi”. The sheer size of the fresco can make it overwhelming. Where to begin? But the helpful explanations of your personal guide will reveal the meaning of Michelangelo’s masterwork, explaining the significance of different biblical scenes.
Years later, Michelangelo returned to the Sistine Chapel to decorate the altar wall of the Last Judgement - a powerful work. As you study the painting alongside your guide, you’ll discover why it was initially so controversial, as well as gaining an even deeper appreciation of Michelangelo’s unique genius.
Discover the frescoes of the Raphael Rooms
Close to the Sistine Chapel is the suite of private papal apartments known as the Raphael Rooms. These exquisitely decorated rooms contain some of the finest examples of Raphael’s work, including the “School of Athens” - a group portrait of the most famous ancient philosophers.
On your visit to the Raphael Rooms, your guide will explain why a young painter from Urbino was chosen for such a prestigious commission, earning admiration and envy. Often overlooked by visitors who are in a hurry to get to the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms deserve a more relaxed, contemplative visit; your guide will ensure that you have plenty of time to admire Raphael’s works at leisure.
Explore the amazing collections of the Vatican Museums
Your visit to the Vatican Museums is a great opportunity to discover its remarkable. The displays of ancient art are particularly impressive, including the legendary Laocoon and Apollo Belvedere. These classical artworks had a profound impact on the artists of the Renaissance, influencing the work of Michelangelo and Raphael. Accompanied by an expert art historian, you’ll learn all about these ancient masterpieces, gaining a greater appreciation of Roman art.
A walk through the famous Gallery of Maps, Pinecone Courtyard and Belvedere Courtyard is an unforgettable experience. Although it’s impossible to see the entire extent of the Vatican’s enormous collection, your Vatican Museums group tour you’ll optimize your time, showing a selection of unmissable highlights.
After exiting the Sistine Chapel, your guide will escort you to St Peter’s Basilica, where you can enter on your own accord.
** Please note that the Raphael Rooms are part of this 3-hour itinerary but on days due to crowding, timing and direction flows of crowd traffic dictated by the Vatican Museum staff on the day, we may not be able to make this stop within the designated time frame. If the Raphael Rooms are an absolute must for you to see, we suggest you book one of our longer group tours: the Early Vatican Tour or the VIP Vatican Tour where the Raphael Rooms will be covered.**
Activity Level
As this is a walking tour with steps and staircases, comfortable walking shoes and a bottle of water are strongly recommended.
Wheelchairs and motorised scooters are NOT permitted on this group tour.
(2)
- The Raphael rooms (Stanze di Raphael) are four rooms which were used as the residence of the popes between 1507 and 1585.
The Raphael Rooms, or "Stanze di Raffaello," are a suite of four interconnected rooms located in the Vatican Museums. Renowned for their stunning frescoes painted by the master artist ... moreRaphael and his workshop, these rooms stand as a testament to the High Renaissance's artistic and cultural achievements. Commissioned by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the frescoes in these rooms played a pivotal role in establishing Raphael as one of the preeminent painters of his time, alongside Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.
The Rooms
Room of the Segnatura (Stanza della Segnatura): This is the first room to be completed by Raphael, and it houses some of his most famous works, including "The School of Athens," "The Parnassus," and "The Disputation of the Holy Sacrament." These frescoes embody the ideals of Renaissance humanism, integrating classical philosophy, theology, and poetry. "The School of Athens," in particular, stands out for its portrayal of ancient philosophers such as Plato and Aristotle, depicted in an architectural setting inspired by St. Peter’s Basilica.
Room of Heliodorus (Stanza di Eliodoro): The frescoes in this room, commissioned to convey the power and authority of the Church, depict divine intervention and protection. Key works include "The Expulsion of Heliodorus from the Temple," "The Miracle at Bolsena," and "The Liberation of St. Peter." The dynamic compositions and dramatic use of light and shadow in these frescoes showcase Raphael's mastery in creating vivid, emotionally compelling narratives.
Room of the Fire in the Borgo (Stanza dell'Incendio del Borgo): This room illustrates significant historical and legendary events. The titular fresco, "The Fire in the Borgo," dramatizes the miraculous extinguishing of a fire in the Vatican quarter, symbolizing the protection of the papacy. Other notable works include "The Coronation of Charlemagne" and "The Battle of Ostia," which highlight the Church's triumphs and divine favor throughout history.
Room of Constantine (Stanza di Costantino): Completed after Raphael's death by his students, including Giulio Romano, this room features scenes from the life of Emperor Constantine, the first Christian Roman emperor. The frescoes, such as "The Vision of the Cross" and "The Battle of Constantine against Maxentius," celebrate Constantine's conversion to Christianity and his subsequent victory, which were pivotal in establishing Christianity as the Roman Empire's dominant religion.
Artistic and Cultural Significance
The Raphael Rooms are not only masterpieces of Renaissance art but also serve as an exploration of the interplay between classical antiquity and contemporary Christian themes. Raphael's ability to harmonize these elements reflects the intellectual spirit of the Renaissance, where the revival of ancient knowledge was seamlessly blended with the prevailing religious and cultural context.
Moreover, the rooms highlight Raphael's evolution as an artist. From the harmonious compositions and balanced figures in the Room of the Segnatura to the more dynamic and dramatic scenes in the Room of Heliodorus, visitors can trace his stylistic development. The subsequent completion of the Room of Constantine by his pupils also underscores the enduring influence of Raphael's artistic vision.
Conclusion
The Raphael Rooms in the Vatican Museums remain a vital cultural treasure, drawing visitors from around the world. They offer a unique window into the mind of a Renaissance genius and provide a richly detailed narrative of the period's theological, philosophical, and artistic preoccupations. Through their beauty and historical significance, the Raphael Rooms continue to inspire and captivate art enthusiasts, scholars, and pilgrims alike.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic, Museum
(1)
Named after Pope Sixtus IV, the Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most famous chapel in the world. It is renowned both for its function as the Papal Conclave and for its incredible artwork.... more
The ceiling and western wall of the Sistine Chapel are adorned with some of the most astonishing paintings in the world created by the famous artist – Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in 1508 and he completed his work in 1512. The middle section depicts nine stories from the Book of Genesis, including the renowned ‘Creation of Adam’ where the hand of God is seen reaching to Adam to instill him with life.
In 1535 Michelangelo was commissioned once again to paint the western wall over the altar. He completed this spectacular painting of the‘Last Judgment’ in 1541. The painting depicts the end-of-days and second coming of Christ when according to Christian faith all souls will be judged by Jesus,the Saints and God and sent to heaven or hell.
Despite being one of the most celebrated works of art in history, Michelangelo was originally hesitant to paint the ceiling of the chapel for he considered himself as more of a sculptor than a painter.
The original ‘Last Judgment’ painting included fully nude human figures, but these were later covered by another artist due to the demands of some Papal members who claimed that the nudity was obscene and improper.
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was painted by Michelangelo who depicted nine stories from the book of Genesis including the famous 'Creation of Adam'.
The first three stories are:
1. The Separation of Light from Darkness: Genesis 1:1-5;
2. The Creation of the sun, moon and planets: Genesis 1:11-19;
3. The Separation of Land from Sea: Genesis 1,9-10)
Following these paintings of the Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican are the mid-section patintings:
1. The Creation of Adam & Eve (Genesis 1:26- 2:25), with the figures of man and woman in their nakedness.
2. The Banishment from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:22-24).
The last three frescoes of Michelangelo include:
1. The Sacrifice of Noah: (Genesis 8:15-20)
2. The Flood (Genesis 6:5-8,20)
3. The Drunkenness of Noah (Genesis 9:20-27)
* All these show the fall and rebirth of humanity
The ceiling and western wall of the Sistine Chapel are adorned with some of the most celebrated paintings in the world created by the famous artist – Michelangelo Buonarroti. Michelangelo was commissioned to paint the ceiling in 1508 and he completed his work in 1512.
Despite being one of the most adored works of art in history, Michelangelo was originally hesitant to paint the ceiling of the chapel for he saw himself as more of a sculptor than a painter. The original ‘Last Judgment’ painting included fully nude human figures, but these were later covered by another artist due to the demands of some Papal members who claimed that the nudity was obscene and improper.
The middle section of the ceiling depicts 9 stories fromthe Book of Genesis, including the iconic ‘Creation of Adam’ where the hand ofGod is seen reaching to Adam to give him life. In 1535 Michelangelo was commissioned once again to paint thewestern wall over the altar.
Michelangelo completed this spectacular painting of the‘Last Judgment’ in 1541. The painting depicts the end-of-days and second comingof Christ when according to Christian faith all souls will be judged by Jesus,the Saints and God and sent to heaven or hell.
Type: Attraction, Cultural, Historic, Museum
The Gallery of Maps is called the Galleria delle carte geografiche in Italian. Situated in the Vatican on the west side of the Belvedere Courtyard, the gallery contains a series of ... morepainted topographical maps of Italy. These maps were based on drawings by Ignazio Danti a Dominican Italian friar, mathematician, astronomer, cosmographer and geographer which was born as Pellegrino Rainaldi Danti in Perugia in 1536.
The galley was commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII in 1580 . Pope Gregory XIII ordered it made as well as many other works of art. The Pope commissioned these works of art in order to decorate the Vatican. The completion of the work on the gallery took Danti three years (1580–1583). Today the gallery consists of 40 panels which go along the 120 m gallery.
The panels map the entirety of the Italian peninsula including Sardinia and Corsica. The maps are in fact frescoes. Each fresco features a different region. Special detail was given to the region's most prominent city. With the Apennines serving as the dividing line, one side features the area surrounded by the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Seas and the other shows the area near the Adriatic Sea.
The maps are both beautiful and informative as they reveal the way that the renaissance Italians saw themselves and their surroundings in pre- national Italy. Italy was not one nation in the time of the renaissance when the maps were made. The maps also provide insight to the art of cartography ( making of maps) of these times.The gallery is a fascinating place to visit whether you take a special interest in maps or not.
In the gallery of maps the vaulted ceiling is also decorated. These decorations were done by a group of Mannerist artists including Girolamo Muziano and Cesare Nebbia.
Type: Attraction, Historic, Museum
| Adult | Group Tour | $ 13847 | Ages 18+ | | Student | $ 12790 | Ages 18 to 24 | | Child | $ 12790 | Ages 6 to 17 | | Infant | $ 0 | Ages 5 and under |
| Weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, until Tue, Dec 31 2024 | 12:45 PM | | Weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, until Tue, Dec 31 2024 | 1:45 PM | | Weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, until Tue, Dec 31 2024 | 9:15 AM |
Check In Details
You will meet your guide at the flower stand on the corner of Via Giulio Cesare and Via Leone IV. They will have a Through Eternity sign or flag.
Cancellation Policy
Standard Policy
- Cancellations made 2 days before will be fully refunded except for a service fee of 3%.
- Cancellations made at a later date will not be refunded.
|