Between the papal palace and the Vatican Museums: oases of peace – the Vatican Courtyards

Highlights

Makes city breaks carefree: your Rome City Pass
If you book your Rome City Pass with a ticket for a visit to the Vatican, a visit to the Vatican Courtyards is included in your Rome City Pass
Book your preferred date in advance –when you book your Rome City Pass

Cortile della Pigna: the Pine Court, named after a sculpture of a pinecone exhibited here
Cortile del Belvedere: the courtyard connects the Papal Palace with the Vatican Museums
Cortile della Bibliotheca: the courtyard of the library was created by several additions to the Vatican Palace
Treat yourself to a short break in the courtyards between the Vatican Museums
The courtyards illustrate in particular the history of the papal palace over the course of several centuries

Explore the Vatican and its sights and treat yourself to a break in the Vatican courtyards

What awaits you on site

The Vatican courtyards are divided into the Pine Courtyard, the Library Courtyard and the Belverde Courtyard. Admire the different parts of the papal palace and its impressive architecture in the courtyards. The Vatican has grown over the centuries through constant additions and remodelling. A walk through the various buildings is like travelling back in time...

Cortile del Belvedere:
The Cortile del Belvedere was designed by Donato Bramante. The Cortile del Belvedere in Rome was an elaborate architectural project that began in 1506. This Vatican courtyard connects the Vatican Palace and the Villa Belvedere in Rome.

Cortile della Pigna:
The Cortile della Pigna, also known as the Pine Court, is a green area in the centre of the Vatican. The Cortile della Pigna offers visitors to the Vatican a lovely opportunity to take a break from the many museums. Here you can relax for a moment and look at the huge sculpture of a pine cone by Arnaldo Pomodoro.

Cortile della Bibliotheca:
The Cortile della Biblioteca was built between 1817 and 1822, when another transverse corridor was added to an existing one. This "Braccio Nuovo" divided off a section of the Cortile della Pigna, creating another small courtyard, the Cortile della Biblioteca.