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Why visit the Sistine Chapel?

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most fascinating works of art in the High Renaissance, both for its size and the quality of its frescoes and paintings. Today we will give you tips and information to allow you to organize your visit in this amazing place!

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Why visit the Sistine Chapel?

The Sistine Chapel is located in Vatican City, to the right of the Vatican Palace, and is one of the greatest prides of the Italian art. It is still consecrated as the papal chapel and is one of the areas included in the visit of the Vatican Museums. Let’s read our post of the day: Why visit the Sistine Chapel? Here at Your Travel to Italy with Ana Patricia you make the trip of your dreams!!! ALSO: see our “Accommodation in Italy – Tips for your holidays!”

Introduction

The Sistine Chapel is one of the most fascinating works of art in the High Renaissance, both for its size and the quality of its frescoes and paintings. The Sistine Chapel is dedicated to Mary of the Assumption of Heaven, and owes its name to Sixtus IV della Rovere. But why visit the Sistine Chapel? Stay with us and see the best of Italy! Make your dream trip to Italy come true! Also read our special post on the Details of the Sistine Chapel and make this visit understanding the whole story about the Chapel!

Pope Sixtus IV, shortly after his election in 1471, began a major restoration work in the city of Rome, which reached its peak, in reconstruction and decoration, with the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican and the “Palatine Chapel”. The latter, which was named in his honor, the ‘Sistine Chapel’, would become the seat of the most solemn ceremonies in the Catholic calendar, so it needed to be a sumptuous place, it would have to show the world the enormous power of the papal court. And so, a universal masterpiece was created, accumulating in its 40 meters in length and 14 in width, the history of the origin of humanity. Would you like to get to know Religious Rome? So Click Here!

1) Why visit the Sistine Chapel? ABOUT THE CHAPEL

If you want to be amazed, then you must visit this masterpiece and admire the greatness of one of the most amazing works of art in Rome and around the world.

Its Frescoes and Construction

It is known that the fresco considered the most famous in the Sistine Chapel is The Last Judgment, but the wonders present in the chapel are not only of Michelangelo, in fact, there are many other important painters, such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, who helped make this magnificent Chapel. During the construction of the chapel, between 1475 and 1481, Sixtus IV would not have imagined that the place would house some of the most impressive expressions of Renaissance art, it is known throughout the world for being the place where the Conclave and other official ceremonies performed by the Pope.

Michelangelo

Later, Pope Julius II, always from the Della Rovere family, wanted something more majestic and solemn for the chapel, which was to be the place where the various pontifical liturgies would take place. On the walls of the chapel, a series of paintings that tells the life of Moses (the story of salvation under the Law), and of Christ (the story of salvation under Grace) had already been achieved through the work of a team of Tuscan painters, led by Perugino. Julius II decided to make the frescoes on the ceiling on the history of salvation under law and entrusted the genius Michelangelo with the implementation of this initiative. Thus was born the masterpiece: the Last Judgment.

Other Artists

The other walls of the Sistine Chapel were decorated by other artists, such as Sandro Botticelli, Piero di Cosimo, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio and Luca Signorelli.

2) Why visit the Sistine Chapel? USEFUL INFORMATION

The Sistine Chapel, which is located within the path of the Vatican Museums (to the right of St. Peter’s Basilica, in the Apostolic Palace), is not just a work of art or a tourist destination, but still, nowadays, the Chapel is used to held the voting of the Conclave for the election of new Pope. Vatican Official Website.

Opening times

The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel open at 09:30 am and close at 6:00 pm. The time limit for entry is until 4:00 pm. Anyway, it is necessary to leave the place half an hour before closing. It is not opened on Sundays, only on the last Sunday of each month, when admission is free.

Website for buying in English: Vatican Museum + Sistine Chapel – Skip the Line Ticket!
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Why Visit The Sistine Chapel?
Vatican Museum Map

3) Why visit the Sistine Chapel? HOW TO ARRIVE TO THE CHAPEL?

Those who come to Rome to admire the Sistine Chapel, and many other valuable works of art, have a very specific question: how to arrive to the Vatican Museum? Well, getting to the Vatican Museums is simple: a few years ago a subway station was opened nearby and its station is the “Cipre – Vatican Museums” station. From there, you will have to walk for a few minutes.

Even the “Ottaviano – San Pietro” Station, always on line A, is nearby, so both are good alternatives to get there. Or via Piazza del Risorgimento (Risorgimento Square), where there are several buses and electric buses lines that can take you there, such lines numbers 32, 19, 81, 982, 590, 23, 271. Talking about buses, reaching the Vatican Museums is also possible using the line 49, which stops in front of the entrance. Visit our section Transport in Italy!

Goethe’s Quote

I would like to end with a quote by Goethe, which, in a few lines, explains the immensity of the Sistine Chapel. Only after observing and admiring the master piece, he said: “Without having seen the Sistine Chapel, you cannot have a clue about appreciating what a man is capable of achieving.”

4) Why visit the Sistine Chapel? FUN FACTS

  • The Sistine Chapel has the same dimensions as Solomon’s Temple, as described in the Old Testament.
  • The first conclave held in the Sistine Chapel of the Apostolic Palace was in 1492. From 1870, it became the seat of all conclaves.
  • Before Michelangelo did his work, God was generally represented as a hand pointing through the clouds. The Sistine Chapel was the first to illustrate God with a muscular body and a face framed by a long white beard, very similar to the figure of the Greek god Jupiter.
  • The Last Judgment has been painted in a way that appears to be slightly ‘relying on’ the viewer at the top. Historians say that Michelangelo wanted to invoke respect for the power of God. They also say that, unlike the other frescoes in the chapel, the figures in this specific painting also had the intention of reinforcing respect for the Virgin Mary, who is in the center, close to Christ.
  • The central figure, the most important, is Christ, but here, he was represented in a young and athletic figure. His stare is firm and he turns to the left, where the torturers are. Here, we are faced with the representation of an “unknown Christ”, in which goodness and mercy disappeared and gave way to an unhappy and almost vengeful Christ regarding to evil in the world.

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Hotel I suggest near the Historic Center

If you are passionate about art and would like to stay in the center where you can move around walking, as well as having countless possibilities for places to have lunch / dinner or a snack, I advise you to stay in the historic center. Regions near the Trevi Fountain, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum, the Imperial Forum and the Villa Borghese, Piazza Spagna and Piazza Navona can be considered as “historic center”. These are the most expensive areas, but you will be close to everything, literally!

If you want to save a great option is the B&B, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices.

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Hotels that I suggest near the San Giovanni Region

For those who want to find cheaper alternatives in quiet areas, but at the same time close to the means of transport to the center, I suggest the region of San Giovanni or Monti (near the metro stations San Giovanni, Castro Pretorio and Circus Massimo) – which it is a more residential neighborhood; therefore, more economical and quiet! And with just 15 minutes by subway you will be in the center too!

I have two options for Hotels that I recommend, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices;)

I have two options of B&B that I recommend, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices;)

Hotels I suggest near Vatican City

An interesting area to stay and a little cheaper than the historic center is the Vatican area (Vatican Museums) which is very well connected with everything.

I have two options of B&B that I recommend, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices;)

If you prefer a hotel, I have three options that I recommend, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices;)

Hotel I suggest near Termini Station

For those who prefer to stay in neighborhoods that have good access to the rest of the city and at a better price, then you should choose accommodation in the surroundings of Termini Station (from where a dense network of public means of transport starts, serving both: the local people and tourists).

I have 3 good hotel suggestions in Termini, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices;)

If you prefer B&B I have 2 good suggestions, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices;)

Hotels that I suggest in Trastevere

For those who prefer to “taste” authentic and characteristic Rome, there is nothing better than booking a hotel in Trastevere (on the outskirts of the city’s historic river), full of typical Roman history and traditions, known for the tortuous streets of sampietrini stones and the centers medieval style housing.

The neighborhood is in the historic center and to the right of the Tevere River, in the midst of a spectacular landscape, where each visitor can observe the countless churches and squares (such as Santa Maria in Trastevere). In addition, this neighborhood offers several local restaurants and canteens for those who want to try typical Roman cuisine.

If you want to save a great option is the B&B, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices;)

If you prefer a good hotel, I have two options that I really like, click on the links below and get to know each one. If you like the suggestion make your reservation and guarantee good prices;)


Conclusion

Why visit the Sistine Chapel? Walking through the corridors of the Vatican Museums, as you imagined is a unique and incomparable experience and precisely for this reason it should be done in the best possible way, if you want to know only the Sistine Chapel, I suggest you to do the tour alone, if you like art or if you want to better understand the importance of some of the rare works that you will find in the Museum I suggest you to take the tour with a guide in English language who will know how to explain the best of the surprising and unique history of this museum! And you will never be able to forget this unique experience! Read our posts, so you will also find longer itineraries to get to know all of Italy, calmly! Just click here!

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