Rome: Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Day's Last Tour

Join the last guided tour of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel and visit the Sistine Chapel with less crowds. See the Gallery of Maps and Tapestries, the statue of Laocoön, and more with a guide.
Sure! Here is an extensive description of the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel tour
Tour starts at 5’30p.m. In the evening with a little introduction in front of our office.

### Introduction

A tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel offers a profound and enriching journey through centuries of art, history, and spirituality. This experience takes visitors through some of the most celebrated collections of art and historical artifacts in the world, culminating in the breathtaking beauty of Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel.

### Vatican Museums: A Treasure Trove of Art and History

#### 1. The Origins and Significance of the Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums, founded in the early 16th century by Pope Julius II, are a group of art and Christian museums situated within Vatican City. They contain one of the largest and most impressive collections of art in the world, amassed by the Roman Catholic Church over centuries. The Museums' origins can be traced back to the acquisition of the Laocoön and His Sons statue in 1506, which marked the beginning of the vast collection that visitors can explore today.

#### 2. The Courtyards and Gardens

The tour typically begins in the Pinecone Courtyard (Cortile della Pigna), named after the enormous bronze pinecone sculpture that dates back to ancient Rome. This courtyard offers a serene introduction to the Museums, with views of the Vatican Gardens and St. Peter’s Basilica. Adjacent to this is the Belvedere Courtyard, designed by Donato Bramante, which historically housed the Pope’s art collection.

#### 3. Pio-Clementine Museum

Named after Popes Clement XIV and Pius VI, the Pio-Clementine Museum is renowned for its extensive collection of classical sculptures. Highlights include:

- **Laocoön and His Sons:** This iconic Hellenistic sculpture depicts the Trojan priest Laocoön and his sons being attacked by sea serpents, embodying intense emotion and movement.
- **Apollo Belvedere:** Another masterpiece of ancient sculpture, this marble statue represents the Greek god Apollo and epitomizes the ideals of classical beauty.
- **The Belvedere Torso:** A fragmentary statue that profoundly influenced Michelangelo and many other Renaissance artists.

#### 4. Gregorian Egyptian Museum

The Gregorian Egyptian Museum houses artifacts from ancient Egypt, including mummies, sarcophagi, and everyday objects. It provides a fascinating glimpse into the culture and beliefs of one of the world’s oldest civilizations.

#### 5. Raphael Rooms

Among the most famous spaces in the Vatican Museums are the Raphael Rooms, a series of papal apartments frescoed by Raphael and his students. These rooms include:

- **The Room of the Segnatura:** Featuring the "School of Athens," which depicts an assembly of philosophers, including Plato and Aristotle, this fresco symbolizes the marriage of art, philosophy, and science.
- **The Room of

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