Rome, the capital of Italy, is adorned with ruins of rich heritage and past glory. The city is a historical powerhouse graced with foggy ruins, inspiring art, and vibrant streets. Vatican city is situated in the middle of this Roman Empire, which is the smallest country in the world surrounded by the borders of Rome and is known for its art, heritage and culture. Moreover, apart from being an architectural masterpiece, travelers also come to this country for spiritual peace as it is the center of Roman Catholics across the world. get ready for an excellent Vatican Museum Take the tour and keep scrolling!
About Vatican Museums
Read suggestions: 10 Must-See Tourist Places in Rome: Flipping the Pages of Roman History
Vatican City, commonly known as the ‘Holy See’, is home to some of the most important heritage sites of the city-state of Rome such as St. Peter’s Basilica and the famous Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel.
The Vatican Museums date back to 1503, the year when Pope Julius II took the step to donate his private collection of art. Since then private families and other Popes have added to the collection, and today it is the largest collection of impressive art works in the world. The Vatican Museums celebrated their 500th anniversary in October 2006 with the opening of the excavations of the Vatican Hill Necropolis. public.
Vatican Museums Map and Location
Attractions inside the Vatican Museums
1. Spiral Staircase
Stepping inside the museum up the impressive spiral staircase begins a long journey into artistic paradise. Designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1832, this staircase is today the most visited staircase in the world. The size of the staircase is huge and it is commonly known as the snail staircase. Stairs carved from two iron rods that form a double helix-like structure.
2.Raphael Rooms
Read suggestions: Rome is finally getting its own beach and we’re already packing!
Located adjacent to the Papal Museum, the four Raphael Rooms serve as grand entrances to the Vatican and depict beautiful vatican museum artwork, The place is known for its frescoes by Michelangelo and Raphael. Overlooking the Belvedere courtyard, these extraordinary rooms feature four luxurious rooms; The Room of Constantine, the Room of Heliodorus, the Room of the Signatura and the Room of the Fire of the Borgo.
3. Gregorian Egyptian Museum
The Gregorian Egyptian Museum is home to ancient artefacts originating from ancient Egypt. Founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839, this historical museum consists of nine rooms, decorated with statues, busts and clay figurines taken from the Villa Adriana in Rome and Tivoli. These historical treasures will take you on a journey of discovery of ancient Egypt.
4. Vatican Historical Museum and Portraits of the Pope
Read suggestions: Rome nightlife: the 10 best places to let your hair down in this ancient city
Built in 1973, it is one of the modern museums of the Vatican Museums that houses the papal collection from the sixteenth century to the present day. The place also houses the “Papamobili” or Pope Mobiles which illustrate the evolution from the first carriages and carriages to small motorized white carriages.
5. Sistine Chapel
The Sistine Chapel, considered a unique feature of Vatican City, is one of the most visited churches consecrated in the late 1400s. A true place to see art, the ceiling of the church is adorned with Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, The Last Judgment. Another sight to enjoy is Botticelli’s long fresco which is often overlooked.
6. Papal throne
Read suggestions: 15 trendy hostels in Rome for young travelers and backpackers
Admire the beauty of the red marble Papal Stone that now stands in Vatican City, which originally originated from the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano. (the official church seat of the bishop in Rome) The bright red marble represents royalty complemented by the mosaics and frescoes that line the galleries.
7. Gallery of Maps
As the name suggests, this place holds a series of painted topographic maps that were commissioned in 1580. Located on the west side of the Belvedere courtyard, it took Ignazio Denzi three years to complete these 40 panels. The gallery is spread over an area of 120 meters and represents a heritage site for art lovers.
8. Rotunda Room
Read suggestions: 25 Best Hotels in Rome That Are Full of Luxury, Comfort, and Convenience!
For those who admire the Pantheon, the Sala Rotonda will certainly be a fascinating sight worth seeing. A smaller version of the central Roman building, the museum’s curved walls are adorned with aligned statues and the floor is made of stunning mosaics. The main attraction of this place is the gilded statue of Hercules and a large marble basin placed in the middle of the room to catch the rain.
9. Gallery of Sculptures
Its name itself is enough to understand what is there in its treasure. Located within the Pio Clementino Museum, this gallery extends down a long corridor lined with sculptures that have significance in Roman history. The walls were formerly decorated with frescoes of landscapes and cities, but now it displays marble artworks that are equally impressive.
10. Vatican Art Gallery
Read suggestions: 8 beautiful villas in Rome to enjoy a royal experience on your next vacation!
The Pinacoteca Vaticana was located in the Borgia Apartments until 1932 when it was moved to its present location. The place houses magnificent paintings ranging from ‘Raphael Oddi Altarpiece to Leonardo da Vinci, St. Jerome in the Wilderness’. It is the last residence of the Vatican Museums and can be a paradise for art lovers.
Other Highlights of the Vatican Museums
Read suggestions: 8 romantic places in Rome that will make you fall in love all over again
- Red marble papal throne formerly in the Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano
- Roman sculptures, tombs and inscriptions including early Christians, the sarcophagus of Junius Bassus and the dogmatic sarcophagus, and an icon of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus.
- Nicolin Chapel
- Frescoes and works by others were displayed in the Borgia Apartment, built for Pope Alexander VI (Borgia).
Vatican Museum Ticket Price
While one can also make a booking Vatican Museum Tickets Take a look at the price details per person, online from the Vatican Museums’ official website:
Adult: €16 or INR 1,280 approx.
Children: 8€ or INR 640 approx. (For children between 6 to 18 years)
Student: 8€ or INR 640 approximately (for students aged 19 to 26)
Admission is free on the last Sunday of each month
Vatican Museum Opening Hours
The Vatican Museums are open to the public from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm (last admission at 4 pm). And for free entry, visitors can visit the museums on the last Sunday of the month between 9 am and 2 pm (last entry at 12:30 pm). But there is extraordinary crowd on this day, so if you want to avoid extreme crowd then avoid visiting these museums on holidays and free Sundays.
How to reach Vatican Museums?
By Metro: Line A direction Take the metro from Battistini, Ottaviano, or Cipro stations
by bus:
49, stop in the square in front of the Vatican Museums
32, 81, 982, stop at Piazza del Risorgimento
492, 990, stop at Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipioni
by tram: 19, Stop at Plaza del Risorgimento
by taxi: Taxi rank in the square right in front of the Vatican Museums
Tips to Remember Before Visiting the Vatican Museums
- before deciding about vatican museum virtual tourMake sure to research about the best time to visit as this place gets extremely crowded during March-November
- Take at least a day to explore Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel Because it covers more than half of Vatican City
- Be sure to wear appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes as the museums are spread over a wide area
- Except for the Sistine Chapel, one can take photographs without flash inside the museum. But carrying tripod and selfie stick is prohibited
- It is advisable not to carry big bags and beware of pickpockets
- Avoid visiting museums on empty Sundays
read ahead: 8 Day Trips from Rome to enjoy the timeless charm of Italy!
Curious yet? If you have your eye on discovering Rome’s ancient treasures and seeing the artistic side of the city, the Vatican Museums should be at the top of your list. And to best explore this gem, book a customizable Rome vacation package with TourTravelHotels.
Disclaimer: TourTravelHotels claims no credit for images displayed on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyright to its respected owners. We try to link to the original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TourTravelHotels, please Contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in giving due credit to the original author, artist or photographer.
please pay attention: Any information published by TourTravelHotels in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice of any kind, and one should not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of one’s choice.
FAQs about Vatican Museums
How much does it cost to go to the Vatican?
It costs around Rs 1,280 for adults and around Rs 640 for children between 6 to 18 years.
How many museums are there in the Vatican?
There are 54 museums in the Vatican.
Is St. Peter’s Basilica free?
Yes, admission to St. Peter’s Basilica is free.
Are you looking to book an international holiday?
Book memorable holidays on TourTravelHotels with 650+ verified travel agents for 65+ domestic and international destinations.
