Vatican Museums, Rome, Italy | Vatican Museums photos and more information

Vatican Museums, Rome Overview

The house of thousand arts, Vatican museums are one of the most popular art museums in Italy. With around 6 million annual visitors, this site is one of the oldest in Rome. Boasting one of the best art collections in the city, the Vatican museums include exhibits that run across around 7 kilometres of corridors and halls. This showcase of priceless art is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in Roman art.

The Vatican museums feature 7 km of historically and culturally significant artefacts. Their acquisition of everything from Egyptian mummies to modern paintings is as impressive as their labelling is not. Hire a guide, buy an audio guide or buy a guide book to get the full impact of the centuries of history in these hallowed halls. There are a number of Egyptian mummies, ancient busts, modern paintings, Etruscan bronzes, and old masters. The Vatican Museums are best known for the Museo-Pio Clementino’s renowned collection of classical statuary, a suite created by Rafael and the Sistine Chapel painted by Michelangelo. Often referred to as the museum of museums, this attraction is created around the galleries of Palazzo Apostolico Vaticano and are formed inside three courtyards: Cortile Della Biblioteca, Cortile Della Pigna, and Cortile Del Belvedere. All in all, the Vatican Museums are a collection of ancient as well as masterpieces, sculptures, paintings, and structures, making it one of the museums truly worth visiting in Rome.

Closed Days

Year round

History

The Vatican Museums were established by Pope Julius II during the 16th century. However, the construction of the Vatican had started in 1447. In 1503, Pope Julius II moved his collection to the Octagonal Court and a number of constructions were made in order to connect galleries and passageways. Other improvements were made by Benedict XIX, Pope Gregory XIII, Pope Gregory XVI, Pius VI and Clement XIV from the period between 1580 and 1837, when more halls, courtyards, and gardens were renovated and exposed to the public.

Tips

The Vatican museums are so huge, it is impossible to see it all in one day so it is best to be selective of what you want to see.
The ideal time to visit the Vatican Museums is from Tuesday to Friday.
Visitors should consider visiting this place offseason.
It is best to visit the Museums on a “free” day but in the morning when there is not much of a crowd.
There is a secret passageway from Sistine chapel to Basilica.
It is best to book your tickets online.
One should either visit early in the morning or late in the evening in order to avoid crowds.
One must dress appropriately: covering thighs, shoulders, midriffs, and neckline.
Visitors are recommended to eat before they visit.