If you’re visiting Rome on your next Italian vacation this year, make it a priority to gaze upon the interior of the Sistine chapel in Vatican city! This endeared chapel is where the famous papal conclave takes place when cardinals gather to vote for a new pope.
Stay in a holiday rental in Rome where you can spend a few days discovering the rich beauty of this capital city, including the interior of the Sistine chapel!
What makes the Sistine chapel so special is its ornate interior with every inch of wall illustrated with frescoes by famous Italian artists. During the reign of Pope Sixtus IV between 1482 and 1483, a team of highly skilled Renaissance painters were commissioned to fill its interior walls with biblical scenes.
These artists were Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino Pinturicchio and Domenico Ghirlandaio.
Stay in a holiday rental in Rome where you can spend a few days discovering the rich beauty of this capital city, including the interior of the Sistine chapel!
What makes the Sistine chapel so special is its ornate interior with every inch of wall illustrated with frescoes by famous Italian artists. During the reign of Pope Sixtus IV between 1482 and 1483, a team of highly skilled Renaissance painters were commissioned to fill its interior walls with biblical scenes.
These artists were Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino Pinturicchio and Domenico Ghirlandaio.
In later years between 1508 and 1512, Michelangelo Buonarroti was commissioned to complete the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel under the rule of Pope Julius II. His most famous scenes of this masterpiece include ‘Creation’ and ‘The Last Judgement’.
His intricate work truly changed the course of western art and since its unveiling to the public over 500 years ago, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists every year!
His intricate work truly changed the course of western art and since its unveiling to the public over 500 years ago, it has attracted hundreds of thousands of tourists every year!
During the election of a new pope the ancient method of voting called the conclave takes place here. Cardinals write the name of their desired successor on paper and the votes are counted. If the candidate receives less than two thirds of the votes the papers are gathered and burned along with special chemicals to create black smoke.
This black smoke rises through a specially constructed chimney to alert the public to the fact that the appointment of a new pope is still ongoing.
But when a majority is finally reached the papers are lit and white smoke rises to let everyone know a new pope has been elected.
Come and visit the elaborate Vatican City for yourself and admire all the artistic treasures it has within its keep!
This black smoke rises through a specially constructed chimney to alert the public to the fact that the appointment of a new pope is still ongoing.
But when a majority is finally reached the papers are lit and white smoke rises to let everyone know a new pope has been elected.
Come and visit the elaborate Vatican City for yourself and admire all the artistic treasures it has within its keep!
Photo credits
picture 1: Magnus_Manske / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 1: Magnus_Manske / CC BY-SA 3.0;
