Cappella Paolina (Pauline Chapel), Rome

Cappella Paolina (Pauline Chapel), Rome

The Pauline Chapel, located within the Vatican Palace and positioned adjacent to the Sistine Chapel, is a remarkable chapel with its own distinct charm. Designed by Antonio de Sangallo the Younger in 1538 under the commission of Pope Paul II, it served as the Chapel of the Concave and the Chapel of the Sacrament.

When it came to selecting an artist to execute the chapel's frescoes, there was no doubt in the pope's mind. He had his heart set on Michelangelo, despite the artist being in his 60s, exhausted, and already occupied with completing Pope Julius II's tomb—a commission for which he had been paid. Despite his reservations, Michelangelo felt compelled to accept the pope's insistence. The two frescoes he painted, "The Crucifixion of St. Peter" and "The Conversion of Saul", were not considered his most exceptional works. Perhaps the pressure he faced during their creation is reflected in the final outcome. In "The Conversion of Saul", for example, Saul is depicted as an elderly man with white hair, conveying a sense of weariness—possibly a reflection of Michelangelo's own state at the time.

Additional paintings within the chapel were created by Lorenzo Sabbatini and Federico Zuccari, while Prospero Bresciano contributed to the statues and stuccowork.

In 2004, the Vatican announced plans to restore the frescoes in the Pauline Chapel, and by 2009, the restoration work was completed. The restoration revealed vibrant colors and hues that had been dimmed by centuries of accumulated dirt and grime. Furthermore, in 2010, the Vatican website unveiled a virtual reality rendering of the chapel, presenting a captivating blend of 3D rendering and high-resolution photography, showcasing its renewed brilliance following the restoration efforts in 2009.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rome. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Cappella Paolina (Pauline Chapel) on Map

Sight Name: Cappella Paolina (Pauline Chapel)
Sight Location: Rome, Italy (See walking tours in Rome)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Rome, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Rome

Create Your Own Walk in Rome

Creating your own self-guided walk in Rome is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fountains and Squares Walking Tour

Fountains and Squares Walking Tour

In Rome there is a lively piazza round almost every corner, each with its own unique atmosphere and its own story to tell. These public squares have been the center of Roman culture for centuries, and some of the city’s most popular attractions are located within them.

Most piazzas have a fountain in the center and a lot of cafes around. In fact, Rome holds the largest number of fountains in...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
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Holy Sites Walking Tour

Holy Sites Walking Tour

As the cradle of the Catholic Church, one of the world's largest organizations, Rome has a large number of valuable, sacred places of worship. Crowded with architectural splendors from different periods of time, each of its churches and basilicas represent a significant part of culture and history.

Take this self-guided walking tour to discover Rome's magnificent religious heritage,...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 6.9 Km or 4.3 Miles
Rome Introduction Walking Tour II

Rome Introduction Walking Tour II

The historic center of Rome is packed with numerous landmarks and genuine works of art, to see all of which may take days if not weeks. This Rome Introduction Walk II highlights some of the key sights emerged during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, comprising some truly magnificent marvels of architecture. Among the featured landmarks here are the Spanish Steps, the Pantheon, Piazza Navona,...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
Food Tasting Walking Tour

Food Tasting Walking Tour

Whether it’s a long lunch or a stop-off for an ice cream on an evening stroll, eating in Rome is a very social activity. Culinary traditions run deep here, and it may well be one of Italy’s most pleasurable cities in which to eat. Deli shops, prosciutterias, pizzerias, fornos (bakeries) and caffès are also very popular and offer a great alternative to a restaurant meal.

On this...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.7 Km or 1.7 Miles
Rome Introduction Walking Tour I

Rome Introduction Walking Tour I

Legend has it that Rome was founded in 753 BC by twin brothers Romulus and Remus who were raised by a she-wolf. However, the pair argued about who had the support of the gods, and Romulus ended up killing Remus in a fight on what became Palatine Hill. Thus, Romulus named the city after himself and declared himself as king.

In a slightly less glorious account, Rome actually began as an Iron Age...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
Roman Forum and Imperial Forums Walking Tour

Roman Forum and Imperial Forums Walking Tour

It's a known fact that "Rome wasn't built in a day." But when it was finally built, it stood the test of time and became "the eternal city." Many have heard that "all roads lead to Rome," but very few probably realize that inside Rome itself all roads lead to the Forum.

The central hub of ancient Rome, the Roman Forum (also known by its Latin name...  view more

Tour Duration: 3 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles

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