Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel), Rome

Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel), Rome (must see)

The Sistine Chapel stands as the most renowned chapel within the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. It is celebrated for its remarkable architecture, reminiscent of Solomon's Temple from the Old Testament, and its breathtaking decoration, adorned with frescoes by some of the greatest Renaissance artists, including Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini, and Sandro Botticelli.

Under the patronage of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo undertook the monumental task of painting the chapel's ceiling between 1508 and 1512. With the pope's support, Michelangelo was granted artistic freedom and dedicated four years to creating a masterpiece. He adorned the ceiling with 366 figures depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments, illustrating biblical narratives such as the Creation of the World, the Fall of Man, and the Coming of Christ. These frescoes are accompanied by the presence of ignudi, striking male nudes, which surround the biblical depictions. Additionally, the spandrels surrounding the vault feature sibyls, prophetesses from pagan mythology, who were embraced by Christian artists during the Renaissance as figures capable of foreseeing the arrival of Christ. One of the most iconic paintings within the chapel is "The Creation of Adam," portraying God reaching out to create Adam against a backdrop of cloudy heavens. This renowned artwork is among the most reproduced religious paintings in history.

The chapel owes its name to Pope Sixtus IV, who oversaw its restoration between 1477 and 1480, transforming the former Cappella Magna into the magnificent space we know today. Since the time of Pope Sixtus IV, the chapel has served as a place of profound religious significance and as a venue for important papal functions. Currently, it is famously recognized as the location of the Papal conclave, the process through which a new Pope is elected.

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 Sistina (Sistine Chapel) on Map

Sight Name: Cappella Sistina (Sistine 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.
Vatican Walking Tour

Vatican Walking Tour

Consisting of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, the Vatican is the world’s smallest sovereign state, as well as a symbol (and headquarters) of the Roman Catholic faith. Although only 44 hectares in surface, one is amazed by the vastness of this place and the sheer size of everything. When gazing around in all directions, you realize how much can be achieved by people working in faith for...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Hidden Art Treasures in Rome

Hidden Art Treasures in Rome

Rome is one of the world's top living museums, replete with some of the most iconic pieces of art on the face of the planet. Famous artists, such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, Bernini, to mention but a few, had lived and worked here and left indelible marks in the city.

Needless to say that the abundance of masterpieces makes Rome crowded with tourists anxious to see them, causing...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 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
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
Palatine Hill Walking Tour

Palatine Hill Walking Tour

Palatine Hill is one of the seven hills of Rome and the most ancient part of the capital. Based on Roman mythology and archaeological evidence, this hill is considered the birthplace of the city – a place where legendary Romulus founded it in 753 BC. Furthermore, the very word “palace” – indicating the emperor’s residence (“Palatium”), much as that of other dignitaries and prominent...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 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

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