The Sistine Chapel
There are few places in the world where religious spirituality and art converge so sublimely as in the Sistine Chapel. The decoration of the space is one of the most extraordinary examples of frescoes from the Renaissance period, especially the ceiling, which was the greatest challenge faced by the artist Michelangelo.
The Sistine Chapel is an extraordinary place that everyone should visit if they are lucky enough to travel to the Italian capital. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a quick trip and only have 3 days to see Rome; we’re talking about the most famous chapel in the world and one of Rome’s main monuments, so pay attention because it’s one of those must-see places.
It is part of the regular visit to the Vatican Museums.
This is the place where the conclave to elect a new pope is held, and it also contains priceless frescoes created by some of the greatest Renaissance painters such as Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Cosimo Rosselli, and, of course, Michelangelo.
The Sistine Chapel, a Renaissance marvel
The current Sistine Chapel was built between 1473 and 1481 by architect Giovanni de Doici on the site of a previous chapel called Cappella Maggiore, after Pope Sixtus IV ordered its demolition due to its poor condition.
Architecturally speaking, only the internal dimensions of the chapel are known. It is 40.9 meters long and 13.4 meters wide, the same dimensions as the Temple of Solomon according to the Old Testament.
Artistically, the Sistine Chapel is one of the highest examples of the Renaissance. On the north wall are frescoes depicting the life of Christ, while the opposite wall focuses on the story of Moses. Its authors include Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Cosimo Rosselli, and Domenico Ghirlandaio (among others). All of these artists are considered master painters of the Renaissance period.
Sign up for our guided tour of the Vatican with a guide, and you’ll see the most essential parts of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. You’ll learn a lot and save time by skipping the lines.
Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel Ceiling
Originally, the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was decorated with a starry blue sky by painter Piermatteo d’Amelia, but thirty years later, a huge crack appeared in the ceiling, and Pope Julius II ordered it to be repaired and commissioned Michelangelo to paint it.
Michelangelo spent over a year creating sketches before perfecting the design of a complex simulated architecture in which he included the narrative of Genesis. The work itself was a nightmare. Michelangelo was unfamiliar with the fresco technique and had to ask Giuliano da Sangallo and Francesco Granacci for advice.
Additionally, the pope only paid the artist once the work was completed, so for four years (the time spent on the project), Michelangelo lived in extreme poverty.
A Story of Censorship in Michelangelo’s Work
During the Renaissance, many paintings were censored by the Catholic Church. One of the most famous cases occurred when Pope Pius IV, in 1564, ordered artist Danielle di Volterra to cover the private parts of the figures painted by Michelangelo in The Last Judgment (a fresco located on the altar wall of the Sistine Chapel).
Fortunately, this work was restored to its original state at the end of the 20th century.
Parts of the Sistine Chapel
The Creation of Adam
The Sistine Chapel ceiling is divided into nine sections, thanks to the simulated architectural elements Michelangelo implemented to give sense to the artwork.
Each section of the Sistine Chapel represents a story from Genesis, and while all of them are masterpieces, The Creation of Adam is undoubtedly one of the most well-known images in universal art.
Other notable sections of the Sistine Chapel ceiling include “The Great Flood,” “The Fall of Man, Original Sin, and Expulsion from Paradise,” and “Creation of Eve.”
Visit to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel
The entrance to the Sistine Chapel also includes a visit inside the Vatican. Being one of the most visited places in Rome, the crowds can be overwhelming. To avoid the lines and understand what you’ll encounter on a visit to the Vatican, the best way is to take the tour with the help of a specialized guide.
The guided tour of the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel lasts three hours and includes priority access to the Vatican Museums, the Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel. Once there, don’t forget to visit the magnificent St. Peter’s Basilica and admire the vast St. Peter’s Square, one of the most impressive squares in Rome.
Hours
From Monday to Saturday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of each month when entrance to the Vatican Museums is free from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This will be your opportunity to visit the Sistine Chapel for free.
However, be prepared for long lines as the crowds are incredibly high.
Find out about all the activities and experiences you can live in the Italian capital by checking the best tours in Rome.