VATICAN MUSEUMS

The Vatican Museums offer an extraordinary journey through more than two thousand years of history, art and culture, housed in a museum complex that holds some of the world's most famous works. One of the main attractions is the Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo's frescoes, including the famous 'Last Judgement' and the 'Creation of Adam', which adorn the ceiling and altar wall, representing one of the greatest artistic achievements in history. From here, you can move on to the Raphael Rooms, a set of four rooms decorated by the great Renaissance master, where you can admire frescoes such as 'The School of Athens', a work that is a tribute to the philosophy and science of classical antiquity.

Continuing the tour, one can explore the corridors and galleries that house collections of classical sculptures, Etruscan and Egyptian antiquities, medieval and Renaissance art objects, tapestries, and modern religious art. The Gallery of Maps, with its 16th-century cartographic representations, offers a unique experience in understanding the geographical knowledge of the time. The Tapestry Gallery presents a series of intricate textiles depicting biblical and historical scenes, while the Pio-Clementino Museum houses an impressive collection of classical sculptures, including the famous 'Laocoon and his Children' and the 'Apollo of Belvedere', masterpieces of ancient Greek and Roman art.

The tour continues through the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, which displays archaeological artefacts from ancient Egypt, such as sarcophagi, mummies, statues and other artefacts that tell the story and beliefs of one of the world's oldest civilisations. No less fascinating is the Gregorian Etruscan Museum, which houses important evidence of ancient Etruscan civilisation, including ceramics, jewellery and sarcophagi. For lovers of religious art, the Pinacoteca Vaticana offers a collection of paintings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, with works by artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Caravaggio, Titian and Giotto.

The Ethnological Missionary Museum, with objects from all over the world, bears witness to the encounter between Christianity and different cultures, presenting a wide range of exotic artefacts. No less evocative is the Cappella Niccolina, decorated with frescoes by Beato Angelico, depicting scenes from the life of St Laurence and recounting the art of the early Renaissance.

Every nook and cranny of the Vatican Museums tells a different story, ranging from the wonders of the ancient world to the highest expressions of the Renaissance and contemporary art. A visit here is not just an artistic experience, but a spiritual and cultural journey through the centuries.