Located in the Apostolic Palace, the Sistine Chapel is a treasure trove of spiritual and artistic wealth. It serves many religious and functionary roles, such as hosting the papal conclave.
However, the chapel is best known for the frescoes inside it, created by Renaissance painters Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Pinturicchio, Domenico Ghirlandaio, and Cosimo Rosselli. The most important works of art inside the Sistine Chapel, however, are the Sistine Chapel ceiling and Michelangelo's Last Judgment.
The Southern Wall showcases frescoes depicting the Stories of Moses, originally with eight panels, starting with Perugino's Birth and Finding of Moses, later replaced by The Last Judgment. Current frescoes include scenes like Moses in Egypt, the Crossing of the Red Sea, and the handing over of the Tablets of Law. Above, Michelangelo's lunettes depict the Forefathers of Christ.
This wall tells the story of Christ's life, with frescoes depicting key events like the Baptism, the Sermon on the Mount, and the Last Supper. Above the windows are scenes of Christ's Passion, while the Resurrection is displayed on the entrance wall.
The wall features the final episodes of the Moses and Christ cycles, originally painted by Ghirlandaio and Signorelli but later replaced after destruction. It includes The Resurrection of Christ and the Discussion over the body of Moses, with the series of Pontiffs continuing across this wall.
Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to repaint the ceiling, damaged during construction nearby. The ceiling, covering 5,000 square meters, features over 300 Biblical scenes, including episodes from Genesis. Michelangelo completed the monumental work between 1508 and 1512.
Michelangelo painted The Last Judgment from 1536 to 1541. It shows Christ in the moment before the final verdict, surrounded by saints and the Elect. Controversial for its nudity, Daniele da Volterra partially censored the fresco.
Monday to Thursday: 8am - 7pm (last entrance at 5 pm)
Friday and Saturday: 8am - 8pm (last entrance 6 pm)
Last Sunday of the month: 9am - 2pm (last entrance 12:30pm).
Best time to visit: For a less crowded experience at the Sistine Chapel, consider visiting early in the morning by arriving before it opens or around 1 pm on weekdays. It's also advisable to skip the last Sunday of the month when admission is free, as it tends to attract larger crowds.
Address: Vatican Museums, 00120 Vatican City
The Sistine Chapel's iconic imagery has influenced pop culture in various ways. The E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) poster humorously reimagines Michelangelo's Creation of Adam with an extraterrestrial theme. The Muppets parodied the fresco in Muppet Treasure Island (1996) with The Creation of Muppet. The Creation of Mario also playfully references the chapel.
The chapel's influence extends to Beavis and Butt-Head, which features a nod to Michelangelo’s work, and Legion of Super-Heroes #294, which mirrors the frescoes in a double-page spread. In film, The Agony and the Ecstasy (1965) depicted Michelangelo’s ceiling work, while The Two Popes (2019) used the chapel to underscore its historical significance.
No, not all Basilica tickets include the Sistine Chapel experience. If you’re looking for tickets that club both the Basilica and the Chapel, you can opt for the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel & St. Peter's Basilica Guided Tour.
After visiting the Sistine Chapel, explore St. Peter's Basilica with its stunning art and dome views, the Vatican Grottoes where popes are buried, and the serene Vatican Gardens for a peaceful retreat.
Yes, the tour comes with skip-the-line access and allows you to get past long queues and save up on time!
The Sistine Chapel is named after Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere, who commissioned the restoration of the ancient Magna Chapel between 1477 and 1480.
The Sistine Chapel is located within the Apostolic Palace of Vatican City, inside the Vatican Museums in Rome.
Michelangelo was 33 when he began painting the Sistine Chapel's ceiling in 1508 and 36 when he completed it in 1512. He painted The Last Judgment between 1535 and 1541, when he was in his early 60s.
Historically, the Sistine Chapel hosted papal court ceremonies attended by the city's elite. Today, its primary and most renowned function is the Conclave, the assembly responsible for electing a new Pope.
The Sistine Chapel is approximately 21 meters high. The ceiling vault measures 40 meters in length and 13 meters in width, covering around 5,000 square meters.
Michelangelo’s frescoes in the Sistine Chapel stand out due to their dramatic scale, intricate detail, and emotional intensity. His depiction of biblical scenes, especially the Creation of Adam, showcases his mastery of human anatomy and dynamic composition. The frescoes’ expansive ceiling and complex narratives, combined with innovative use of perspective and vivid color, set them apart as monumental achievements in Renaissance art.
St. Peter's Basilica Entry with Audio Guide
St. Peter's Basilica Reserved Entry Tickets with Dome Access
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel Guided Tour with St. Peter's Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica and Papal Tombs Guided Tour
Papal Audience Guided Tour
