The Vatican Museums in Rome are one of the world's most visited museums in the world and the most visited museum in Italy and attracts over seven million visitors each year; for good reason, as well.
It is a truly exceptional and awe-inspiring place with endless incredible worlds of art (such as the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel), Ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek masterpieces, architectural gems and much more besides.
With enough to see and do for lifetimes, the museums truly are a must-see for those who have found vacation rentals in Rome. Just read through our series of guides on how to visit and what to see and stop by. Here are some more of the highlights.
It is a truly exceptional and awe-inspiring place with endless incredible worlds of art (such as the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel), Ancient Egyptian, Roman and Greek masterpieces, architectural gems and much more besides.
With enough to see and do for lifetimes, the museums truly are a must-see for those who have found vacation rentals in Rome. Just read through our series of guides on how to visit and what to see and stop by. Here are some more of the highlights.
3. Stanze di Raffaello
The Stanze di Raffaello, or Raphael Rooms, are four rooms that form a suite of reception rooms in the public part of the papal apartments in the Palace of the Vatican. They are famous for their frescoes, which were painted by Raphael and the team from his workshop.
These rooms were originally intended as a suite of apartments for Pope Julius II and he commissioned Raphael and his studio to redecorate the interiors of an existing group of rooms some time between 1508 and 1509. Located on the third floor, overlooking the south side of the Belvedere Courtyard the suite includes the Sala di Costantino (Hall of Constantine), the Stanza di Eliodoro (Room of Heliodorus), the Stanza della Segnatura (Room of the Signatura) and the Stanza dell'Incendio del Borgo (The Room of the Fire in the Borgo).
The Stanze di Raffaello, or Raphael Rooms, are four rooms that form a suite of reception rooms in the public part of the papal apartments in the Palace of the Vatican. They are famous for their frescoes, which were painted by Raphael and the team from his workshop.
These rooms were originally intended as a suite of apartments for Pope Julius II and he commissioned Raphael and his studio to redecorate the interiors of an existing group of rooms some time between 1508 and 1509. Located on the third floor, overlooking the south side of the Belvedere Courtyard the suite includes the Sala di Costantino (Hall of Constantine), the Stanza di Eliodoro (Room of Heliodorus), the Stanza della Segnatura (Room of the Signatura) and the Stanza dell'Incendio del Borgo (The Room of the Fire in the Borgo).
The Stanza della Segnatura, was Julius’ study and library and was the first room that Raphael painted. This room is where the most famous work in the cycle can be found, Raphael's great masterpiece, “La Scuola di Atene” (The School of Athens), featuring philosophers and scholars gathered around Plato and Aristotle. Among the crowd are figures that are thought to be portraits of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Bramante, a self-portrait and other contemporaneous artists.
4. Museo Gregoriano Etrusco
At the top of the 18th-century Simonetti staircase (also a must-see feature of the museums in its own right), you will find the Museo Gregoriano Etrusco. Home to artifacts found in the series of Etruscan tombs that were discovered in northern Lazio and a superb collection of vases and Roman antiquities, it is the section of the museum that will delight history buffs and archaeologists in the group. While not as famous as other sections of the museums, it has a fine collection. Just remember to grab an audioguide or guidebook in advance as the information panels can be lacking at times and may not always be in a language you speak.
For more highlights of the Vatican Museums, just read on to the final post in this series.
4. Museo Gregoriano Etrusco
At the top of the 18th-century Simonetti staircase (also a must-see feature of the museums in its own right), you will find the Museo Gregoriano Etrusco. Home to artifacts found in the series of Etruscan tombs that were discovered in northern Lazio and a superb collection of vases and Roman antiquities, it is the section of the museum that will delight history buffs and archaeologists in the group. While not as famous as other sections of the museums, it has a fine collection. Just remember to grab an audioguide or guidebook in advance as the information panels can be lacking at times and may not always be in a language you speak.
For more highlights of the Vatican Museums, just read on to the final post in this series.