The Sistine Chapel in the Vatican (referred to as "Capella Sistina" by the locals) is one of the top attractions to see in Rome! This Sistine Chapel was built from 1475 until 1483 under the command of Pope Sixtus IV, the namesake of the chapel.
The chapel is famous for being the site of the Papal conclave, which is the process of choosing a new pope. The cardinals of the Roman-Catholic Church assemble together to make their decision on who will become the next head of the church. This process happens when the head of the church either dies or renounces his duties as a pope.
The chapel is also home to some of the most famous paintings in the world.
From Monday to Saturday 08.00 am – 07.00 pm (final entry 05.00 pm)
From 1 March On Fridays and Saturdays extended opening hours until 08.00 pm (final entry 06.00 pm)
Closed: 1 + 6 January, 11 February, 19 March, 18 April, 29 June, 15 August, 1 November, 8 + 26 December.
On Fridays and Saturdays, in the afternoon's time slots, the waiting time may be longer due to the high number of visitors and strict security control.
Adult: 17€ + 5€ reservation fee
Reduced: 8€ + 5€ reservation fee
under 6: free
With your convenient Rome City Pass, you can experience the Sistine Chapel for FREE. You will receive your ticket into the Sistine Chapel and also to other top attraction in Rome (in one complete package) well before you depart for Rome.
Address:
Viale Vaticano
00165 Rom
Italy
+ 39 06 69884676
Click here
to see on google maps
The Sistine Chapel lies at the very heart of the Vatican. Because of its central location within the Vatican, numerous attractions that are in or out of the Vatican can be easily reached after a visit to the Sistine Chapel. Among these nearby attractions include the Vatican Museums, the St. Peter's Basilica and the beautiful Vatican Gardens. After your visit to the chapel, you can revitalize yourself in these relaxing gardens so that you can move on to the next attraction energized. The green manicured gardens invite visitors to relax-- the Vatican Gardens are simply a perfect haven from the hectic-ness of Rome.
Direction:
Metro: Line A direction Battistini, Ottaviano or Cipro to Ottaviano – S. Pietro – Musei Vaticani
Bus: 49, Stop at the Place in front
of the Vatican Museums
32, 81, 982 to Piazza del Risorgimento
• 492, 990 to Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipioni
Tram: 19 to Piazza del Risorgimento
Because of its location, the Sistine Chapel is extremely reachable using the public transportation system in Rome. By using a bus or train, getting to the famous Basilica in the Sistine Chapel is incredibly easy! You can also plan your day in the Italian capital flexibly and to your needs. One option to reach the Sistine Chapel is to take the Metro A and get off at either the „ Battistini, Cipro“ or „Ottaviano, S. Pietro, Musei Vaticani“ station. The train stop is located extremely near the chapel. By doing this, you can save time from simply traveling through the city, and instead use that time to admire the fantastic paintings in the Sistine Chapel. If you would rather take the bus, there are many bus lines that can take you to the chapel: the 32, 81, or the 982 to the stop „Piazza del Risorgimento“, or the 492 or 990 to the stop „Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipioni." After getting of your respective stop or station, it's only a 5-minute walk away from the entrance of the Vatican Museums. A tip: the bus line 49 stops at „Viale Vaticano-Musei Vaticani," which is located right across the entrance of the Vatican Museums. Whichever way you decide to get to the Sistine Chapel, you'll only have a short walk to make before finding yourself in front of the entrance of the Sistine Chapel. In this way, you can fully enjoy your visit to the Vatican after a stress-free and easy ride there.
The museum is closed on the following days: on Sundays (exception is usually on the last Sunday of each month), January 1 & 6, February 11 & 22, March 19 & 28, June 29, August 15, November 1, and December 8 & 26.
Access into the Vatican Museums is allowed only when visitors are dressed appropriately. Therefore, please avoid wearing shoulder-exposing blouses, shorts, miniskirts, and hats on the day you decide to visit the Vatican. You can find out more information about other forbidden and also permissible objects that can be brought into the Vatican on the Vatican Museums' website: http://www.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani/en/visita-i-musei/consigli-utili.html
Please note that the security measures of the Sistine Chapel has become stricter, which means that there will be delays at the security check points. The Rome City Pass and its „preferred access” feature does not apply to security checks and Pass Holders cannot bypass these lines. Bags, backpacks, coats and jackets could also be inspected and searched through.
The Sistine Chapel and its amazing artwork is part of the route that visitors take on their way to the Vatican Museums. After leaving the Sistine Chapel and walking through the Vatican Courtyard, you will find yourself at St. Peter's Basilica. This is the largest papal basilica in Rome and is located at the very center of Vatican City. Near the Sistine Chapel there is also the Vatican Pinacoteca. Here you can admire the papal collection of paintings. The Galleria Spada is also nearby the Sistine Chapel-- just about 14 minutes away! This gallery showcases a collection of art from the 17th century. This gallery is especially famous for its forced perspective gallery by Borromini and is worth the visit! This gallery was constructed so that the gallery would shrink in size, starting from the inner courtyard to the exit. The spacing of the columns was also reduced so that one has the impression that they are looking at a very long room.
The wall paintings of the Sistine Chapel are world-famous. Many artists from the Renaissance created these wall paintings- these artists include Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Rosselli, Biagio d’Antonio and Luca Signorelli. These wall paintings portray seven scenes from the life of Jesus Christ and from the life of Moses. Scenes that are depicted from the life of Christ are the following: „the Baptism of Christ,“ „The Last Temptation of Christ,“ „The Anointment of the First Apostles,“ „The Sermon on the Mount,“ „The Delivery of the Keys,“ „The Last Supper" and the „Resurrection of Christ.“ Scenes that are depicted from the life of Moses are the following: „Return to Egypt,“ „Events in the Life of Moses,“ „Crossing of the Red Sea,“ „Handing Over of the Tables of Law“, „Punishment of Korah, Dathan and Abraham,“ „The Legacy and Death of Moses“ and „The Dispute Over the Body of Moses.“ Originally, there were eight pictures on each side. However, to make space on the alter wall for Michelangelo's world-famous master piece "The Last Judgement," the paintings, "The Birth of Christ" and "The Finding of Moses" were removed. The depiction of the "Last Judgment" is Michelangelo's most important artwork and also of the art period to which it belongs to. Michelangelo received the commission to create this alter wall painting in 1532—which was many years after the completion of the Sistine Chapel. For five years, Michelangelo worked on this painting-- and probably without any help-- until it was finally completed. The paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel were also made by Michelangelo. These ceiling paintings depict different scenes from the Old Testament, such as the „Creation" „Adam and Eve“ and „Noah.” The most famous painting out of these ceiling paintings is the "The Creation of Adam,“ which is known everywhere in the world. You can also find other pictures on the ceiling and above the windows of the chapel that portray prophets and sibyl, figures from ancient mythology, as well as the ancestors of Jesus. After 12 long years of painstaking restoration, the paintings in the Sistine Chapel are once again restored to their beautiful and pristine states.
Experience the Sistine Chapel for FREE with the Rome City Pass and have your ticket into the Sistine Chapel already in your pocket before you even depart for Rome.
Free admission to world-famous sights and museums. Free airport transfer can be added. Discounts included.
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