Vatican Museums

Step into a World of Renaissance Grandeur

As you enter the Vatican Museums, you are stepping into a vast chronicle of history and devotion. This isn't just a collection of artifacts; it is an immense repository of works amassed by the Catholic Church and the papacy over centuries. From the moment you begin your journey through the galleries, you are surrounded by some of the most significant masterpieces of Western art. The sheer scale of the collection—spanning roughly 70,000 works—creates an atmosphere of profound cultural weight, where every corridor serves as a bridge to the past.

The Path of the Masterpieces

Your journey through the museum is guided by some of the most iconic landmarks in art history. You will move through 24 distinct galleries, each offering a different window into the evolution of craftsmanship and faith.

• The Stanze di Raffaello: Experience the elegance of these rooms decorated by Raphael, considered among the most canonical works of European art.
• The Sistine Chapel: As your final stop on the visitor route, this chapel houses the world-renowned ceiling and altar wall decorated by Michelangelo.
• The Gallery of Maps: Marvel at what remains the world's largest pictorial geographical study—a series of topographical maps of all of Italy painted onto the walls.
• The Bramante Staircase: Ascend a unique double spiral staircase designed in 1932, featuring a shallow incline and an ornate metal balustrade that encircles a wide central space.

A Legacy of Sculpture

The museums house several specialized sculpture galleries surrounding the Cortile del Belvedere, where you can witness the enduring power of stone and bronze.

• Museo Pio-Clementino: Walk through the Octagonal Court to see the Laocoön and His Sons—a masterpiece of ancient drama—and the Apollo of the Belvedere. You can also explore the Sala Rotonda, shaped like a miniature Pantheon, featuring its own collection of ancient statues and mosaics.
• Museo Chiaramonti: View a wide array of friezes and sarcophagi in an arched gallery, including the Augustus of Prima Porta located in the Neoclassical New Wing.
• Museo Gregoriano Etrusco: Explore a specialized collection of Etruscan artifacts, including bronzes, ceramics, and terracotta.
• Museo Gregoriano Egiziano: Immerse yourself in an extensive collection of Egyptian antiquities, featuring mummies, papyri, and various sculptures.

Diverse Collections for Every Interest

Beyond the classical and Renaissance highlights, the museums offer a diverse timeline of artistic expression that caters to varied interests.

• The Pinacoteca Vaticana: Explore a dedicated building housing masterpieces by icons such as Leonardo da Vinci (Saint Jerome in the Wilderness), Raphael, Titian, and Caravaggio.
• Collection of Modern Religious Art: Experience how faith has been interpreted by modern masters including Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, and Marc Chagall.
• Vatican Historical Museum: Located in the Lateran Palace, this site houses unique items like the red marble papal throne and the Early Christian Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus.