The Gallery of Maps in Vatican Papal Palace

Type
Attraction, Historic, Museum
Features:
Bathroom
Description
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 painted 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.
 
Tours
  • The Last Supper Tapestry
  • The ancient sculptures of the Octagonal Courtyard
  • The Sistine Chapel
  • The Raphael Rooms
  • The Hall of Maps
  • Frescoed Ceiling of Sala delle Muse
  • Ceiling Detail - Stanza della Segnatura
Experience the magic of the Vatican Museums at night on our private tour, including the Sistine Chapel, Raphael Rooms and more!
Language:
English, Italian
Minimum Guests:
2 people
 (6)
  • The Last Supper Tapestry
  • The ancient sculptures of the Octagonal Courtyard
  • The Sistine Chapel
  • The Raphael Rooms
  • The Hall of Maps
  • Frescoed Ceiling of Sala delle Muse
  • Ceiling Detail - Stanza della Segnatura
There is no better time to discover the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms and the other masterpieces of the Vatican Museums than the hours of the sunset. The magic light of the evening ... morehelps appreciating the most important artworks, as our Vatican expert will guide you through the stories and the ideas which makes them alive.

Enjoy this fascinating opportunity Friday and Saturday evenings with our Vatican Night Tour.
Language:
English
Max Group Size:
10 people
Minimum Guests:
1 person
 (49)
  • The Map Rooms
  • Ancient Greek Sculpture of Hermes
  • Sistine Chapel
  • Statue of the 4th Emperor of Rome: Claudius
  • Expulsion of Heliodorus from the temple
Uncover great artistic masterpieces of the Vatican on this tour specifically designed for visitors with limited time.
Language:
English
Max Group Size:
10 people
Minimum Guests:
1 person
 (42)
  • Early access to the Vatican Museums
  • The Hall of Maps
  • The Ancient Sculpture Galleries, including the Laocoon and the Apollo Belvedere
  • The Belvedere Courtyard and the Cortile della Pigna
  • Visit Sistine Chapel at its least busiest
Discover the jaw-dropping treasures of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel at their best on this special early-morning tour
Language:
English
Max Group Size:
10 people
Minimum Guests:
1 person
 (9)
  • Special access to the Sistine Chapel
  • The Ancient Sculpture Galleries
  • The Hall of Maps
  • The Belvedere Courtyard
Private Tour of Vatican Museums with Early Entrance Before the General Public, with Sistine Chapel
Language:
English, Italian
Minimum Guests:
1 person
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