- Vatican Museums - The first stop on the tour will be the collection of ancient Roman and Greek artworks collected from excavations across Rome. The Vatican once had the rights to all archaeological finds, when the Popes ruled Central Italy. Your guide will show you the most significant of these, including the Belvedere Apollo, the Torso, the busts of Claudius and Hadrian and the sarcophagi of Helen and Constance, the mother and daughter of Emperor Constantine.
Next you’ll see the Room of Animals and the Gallery of Candelabra where you can walk over rare Roman mosaics and view the magnificent statues of Diana of Ephesus, the Muses and a multitude of Greek philosophers.
Following this, you’ll see the Gallery of Tapestries, the Sobieski Hall and Raphael’s Rooms. The latter were once the private apartments of Pope Julius II; decorated by Raphael and his assistants. These rooms house two of the painter’s most famous works: the Parnassus and The School of Athens.
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Sistine Chapel - The best-know attraction of the Vatican City is the Sistine Chapel, Italy’s most popular attraction. You’ll hear about Michelangelo’s frescoes - The Last Judgment, the Creation of Adam and the Genesis - as well as information on the Stories of Moses and Jesus painted by Botticelli, Perugino and other Renaissance masters. The Sistine Chapel is still in use, most notably for each papal election
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St. Peter’s Basilica - After the Sistine Chapel, you will visit the world’s most important Catholic Church - Saint Peter’s Basilica - where you can see another of Michelangelo’s masterpieces, La Pietà, and learn about the architecture and the rituals of the Basilica, as well as view the tombs of Popes John XXIII and John Paul II.
Finally, the tour will end in Saint Peter’s Square, where you’ll see Bernini’s famous statues and the chimney which notifies the world of a newly elected Pope. After a few final anecdotes your guide will say goodbye and you will be able to further explore this vast square at your own pace. A fantastic end to a tour of the Vatican!
- Skip-the-line ticket
- Local guide
- Private transportation
- Hotel pick up and drop off
On this outstanding half-day tour, you get the opportunity to explore the highlights of the Vatican City along with a knowledgeable guide. Thanks to pre-booked tickets, you can dodge the lengthy lines and start your tour immediately. Witness the trove of Ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Rooms of Raphael, the Galleries of Maps and Tapestries, the esteemed Sistine Chapel, Saint Peter’s Basilica and Square and much more!
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
