Vatican Treasures
A tour of one of the largest museums in the world, the Vatican Museums, plus St Peter’s Basilica. Prepare for the immortal Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo, as well as an impressive collection of classical art.
Are you ready for a quick trip abroad without leaving Rome? That’s what the Vatican is: a foreign state, and one of the smallest in the world, too. Of course that hasn’t stopped them from amassing one of the most impressive art collections in history over the last five centuries (and still growing). In fact, if you spent 30 seconds on each work of art they have in there, it would take you 7 years to get out of the Vatican Museums. Don’t worry though, that’s where I come in! In this tour, we’ll focus on the classical art collection, including masterpieces like the Apollo of the Belvedere and Laocoön and His Sons that Michelangelo knew and studied: the perfect introduction to the magnificent Sistine Chapel, with its 600 sq mt frescoed ceiling and the breathtaking Last Judgement. In addition to its artistic value, this is also the place where the Conclave elects a new Pope. We’ll then stop by the Gallery of Tapestries, examine the painted topographical maps and discover more on our way to St Peter’s Basilica, with Michelangelo’s Pieta and Bernini’s baroque masterpieces.
Please note that due to either planned or last-minute celebrations/events, skip-the-line access to St. Peter’s Basilica may not be available and therefore cannot be guaranteed as part of the tour. The guide will use the shortcut to the Basilica if it is open.
The tour does not include a visit to St. Peter’s dome, as it requires a separate, non-bookable ticket. However, you may choose to go up independently after the tour—just let me know in advance so I can adjust our schedule.
Are you ready for a quick trip abroad without leaving Rome? That’s what the Vatican is a foreign state, and one of the smallest in the world, too. Of course that hasn’t stopped them from amassing one of the most impressive art collections in history over the last five centuries (and still growing). In fact, if you spent 30 seconds on each work of art they have in there, it would take you 7 years to get out of the Vatican Museums. Don’t worry though, that’s where I come in! In this tour, we’ll focus on the classical art collection, including masterpieces like the Apollo of the Belvedere and Laocoön and His Sons that Michelangelo knew and studied: the perfect introduction to the magnificent Sistine Chapel, with its 600 sq mt frescoed ceiling and the breathtaking Last Judgement. In addition to its artistic value, this is also the place where the Conclave elects a new Pope. We’ll then stop by the Gallery of Tapestries, examine the painted topographical maps and discover more on our way to the St Peter’s Basilica, with Michelangelo’s Pieta and Bernini’s baroque masterpieces.
The tour does not include a visit to the dome of St Peter’s, as it requires a separate ticket which can’t be booked in advance, and visiting hours are limited. However you have the option of going up yourself at the end of the tour; just let me know in advance and I’ll plan our visit accordingly.
