Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums hold one of the world's greatest collections of art.  According to their web site, the collection was begun with a group of sculptures that belonged to Pope Julius II (1502-1513).    Today the complex, which is housed in a series of connected palaces, is measured in acres, not feet.

Among the collections at the Vatican Museums are:

• Egyptian
• Etruscan
• Classican Antiquities (Greek and Roman)
• Christian Artifacts
• Paintings
• Tapestries
• Maps
• Ceramics
• Miniature Mosaics

Without doubt, the two most famous parts of the Vatican Museums are the Raphael Rooms (the papal apartment of Pope Julius II) and the Sistine Chapel. 

Detail from Raphael Rooms decoration

The only way to visit the Sistine Chapel is through the Vatican Museums.

Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

The museums are always crowded but you can beat the line by pre-purchasing entry tickets directly from the museum on their web site here.  You can choose from simple entry tickets or a variety of guided tours. 

For those who are not extending their time in Rome, you will have two opportunities to visit the Vatican Museums.  You could choose the Vatican Museums Under the Stars program on Friday night, October 21st, 7 PM - 11 PM, or you could pick a daytime visit on Saturday October 22nd.

Tickets are available on line 60 days prior, so August 21st/22nd is the time to make your reservations (I'll publish a reminder as we get closer).

The exit from the Vatican Museums is down the 1932 Giuseppe Momo spiral ramp: