Centuries of tradition materialize in unforgettable works of art in the heart of Rome
Officially the Vatican is a separate country, but it is located entirely in Rome. One of the main attractions of the seat of the Catholic Church is the Sistine Chapel, which was built between 1473 and 1481 with architecture inspired by the Old Testament’s Temple of Solomon. It is there that the conclave, the process through which a new Pope is chosen, is held.
But what really attracts visitors is the rich decoration of the chapel, which has walls and ceiling completely covered with sculptures and paintings by the main artists of the Renaissance, such as Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Michelangelo Buonarrotti.
These are frescoes – a painting technique performed on fresh plaster – papal portraits and representations of biblical passages. The panels to the left of the altar depict the life of Moses and those to the right, the life of Jesus Christ.
The decorations were created over a period of almost 50 years. Although the chapel was commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV, who held the papacy from 1471 until his death in 1484, it was only during the pontificate of Julius II, between 1503 and 1513, that the vault and ceiling began to be decorated by Michelangelo, the great leading artist of space.
A Sistine Chapel it is part of the complex of Vatican museumswhich houses the main art collections of the papacy and is located opposite St. Peter’s Basilica.
Be prepared to face crowds during your visit, which can sometimes be unpleasant, and which does not allow you to visit with the calm and attention that the space deserves. Having said that, it is still an unmissable tour.
Below you can find some details to keep an eye on during your visit and tips for planning it:
Which biblical passages appear in the Sistine Chapel?
The decorative project initially included the presentation of the Twelve Apostles. Gradually it evolved into a complex of dozens of figures and representations. The ceiling, in the shape of arches, must be read from left to right and from top to bottom.
A Creation of Adam it is probably the most famous image of the chapel, located in the vault, and represents the story of Genesis in which God gave life to Adam.
You can also see other important scenes, such as the one The Creation of Eve AND Original sin. On the wall behind the altar are scenes of the Last Judgment where the figure of Saint Bartholomew appears, whose face is a self-portrait of Michelangelo.
What do you need to know before visiting?
To see the Sistine Chapelyou need to buy a ticket Vatican museums, which costs €20. It is possible to make a reservation on the Vatican Museums website, with a pre-established time. Don’t wait to buy now because you are sure to wait at least 2 hours in line.
There is also the option of booking a guided tour, available at various times and in various languages, which includes priority access tickets (which means no queues). Another advantage of visiting with a Vatican-accredited guide is the ability to go directly from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter’s Basilica, thus avoiding the trip to the square and a new security check line that can last 2 hours or more in high season.
+ Find out more about the Civitatis Vatican tour in Portuguese
On the last Sunday of each month and during Holy Week, admission is free, but the crowds and queues are even larger.
Please note: on some days, without prior notice, access to parts of the site is prohibited Vatican can be blocked. This could happen, for example, due to the Pope’s meeting with some leaders.
Taking photos is not permitted Sistine Chapelwhere even the guards impose silence because it is a place of prayer. To see the paintings up close it is worth bringing portable binoculars. In other parts of Vatican museumsphotos are often released.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
