Sistine Chapel: reviews, price and Exclusive Promo Code

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4.7/5 15 reviews
Viale Vaticano , 00165 Vatican City, Vatican City
Viale Vaticano , 00165 Vatican City, Vatican City
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Chapelle Sixtine
Une décoration omniprésente
Sculptures

Visiting the Sistine Chapel, a Renaissance Masterpiece

Located near San Pietro (St. Peter's Square) in Vatican City on the right bank of the Tiber River, the Sistine Chapel is world-renowned for Michelangelo's Creation of Adam fresco. It also serves as the site where cardinals gather in conclave to elect a new Pope, in accordance with Universi Dominici Gregis (the Apostolic Constitution governing the vacancy of the Holy See).

A Primary Destination

As the largest chapel in Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is inseparable from the surrounding museums, serving as the grand finale of the visitor route. If you want a streamlined visit, follow the percorso breve (short itinerary) for direct access.

This Renaissance jewel features walls, vaults, and an altar covered in frescoes depicting biblical scenes, drawing between 10,000 and 20,000 visitors every day.

Powerful Symbolic Frescoes

Over the course of more than half a century, three popes, Sixtus IV, Julius II, and Paul III, and eight painters, Sandro Botticelli, Vanucci (known as Perugino), Bagio di Antonio, Cosimo Rosselli, Lucas Signorelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Pinturicchio, and Michelangelo, contributed to the space. The result is overwhelming, with so many details that it is hard to know where to look first.

The side walls are divided into three horizontal bands. The south wall, on your left when facing the altar, is dedicated to Moses, while the north wall is dedicated to Christ. Other sections are devoted to prophets, sibyls, and the first 32 popes. The ceiling depicts scenes from the life of Noah and Adam and Eve.

The Creation of Adam and The Last Judgment

Rather than trying to take it all in at once, focus on the two centerpieces: the Creation of Adam on the ceiling and The Last Judgment on the altar wall. The former radiates intensity, while the latter was controversial in its time for its depictions of nudity. Michelangelo, often described as having a difficult temperament, initially refused the commission, arguing he was a sculptor rather than a painter. He was eventually compelled to work on the project for a decade, including four years spent lying on scaffolding to paint the ceiling.

Tip: To continue your visit to the St. Peter's Basilica from the inside without waiting in the main security line again, look for the group exit located at the back right of the chapel. You can often follow a guided group through this shortcut.

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Opening hours

Mon through Sat from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and the last Sun of the month from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (free admission).
Hours are indicative and subject to change

*Information subject to change

Reviews of Sistine Chapel

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Summary of 15 reviews
4.7/5
Average rating
+50
Total recommendations

Ratings by visit type

With family
4
As a couple
4.8
With friends
4.7

Avygeo ranking

#2
in the world
#2
in Europe
#1
in Vatican City
#1
in Vatican City

One of the greatest masterpieces in art history

As someone who loves the Renaissance period and its great artists (Da Vinci, Titian, Raphael, Botticelli...), I really wanted to visit the Sistine Chapel, painted by the master Michelangelo. Whether it is the ceiling or The Last Judgment, our eyes are constantly amazed by so much beauty, wherever we look. Just for this place alone, the trip to Rome is worth it!

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The finger of creation

If you have decided to visit the Vatican, it would be a shame to skip it. The Sistine Chapel is mostly known for just one image. But I found that it was much more than that. When I was there, I was able to take in the impressive work of Michelangelo. Only attempt the adventure if you can handle the crowds and the noise well. At least you will be able to say you saw it!

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The famous reaching finger

I visited the Sistine Chapel, located in the Vatican, during a high school trip. This major work of Renaissance art is extremely famous thanks to the frescoes by Michelangelo, which were criticized at the time. The Last Judgment and The Creation of Adam (with the outstretched finger) are in every school textbook. Standing in front of these paintings, you feel so small, and it really does something to you. Because of the heavy crowds, it is essential to book your visit to the chapel in advance.

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Worth seeing despite the crowds

The Sistine Chapel is a truly sublime site that you absolutely have to see during your trip to Rome. It attracts so many people that it ruins the visit a little bit. There are guards everywhere who won't hesitate to reprimand you if you don't follow their instructions exactly. It is hard to really appreciate the place under those conditions, which is a shame.

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Michelangelo's masterpiece

The heart of the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel is stunningly beautiful. I was fascinated for a long time by the magical ceilings painted by Michelangelo. On the walls, you can find prodigious frescoes about the life of Jesus, created notably by Botticelli and Perugino. It is a shame that the room, which is really designed to be admired, has so little information about the details of its composition. Unfortunately, photos are forbidden and the constant noise from visitors hurts the spiritual feeling of the place a bit.

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Beautiful but so unoriginal

Stunning place, the jewel of the Vatican, with sublime frescoes. This monument needs no introduction. But the crowds really do spoil the fun a bit...

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A collection of painting masterpieces

Is it even necessary to recommend the Sistine Chapel when there is so much talk about it already?

I will take the liberty of pointing out, however, that it is very reductive to limit the place to Michelangelo's Creation of Adam (you know, that famous painting where God and Adam reach out to each other). Actually, I was expecting a much larger, more central painting. In fact, no, it only represents a tiny part of the many frescoes covering the vault and walls of the chapel.

Furthermore, I was very impressed by the Gallery of Maps, which people talk about much less. A gallery about a hundred meters long that is richly decorated, sculpted, painted, gilded... A real visual slap in the face!

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Awesome

Impressive, it lives up to all the hype.

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An absolute must-see...

What can I say... The Sistine Chapel remains breathtaking. Whether you have seen it once or 10 times, you will always discover passages, illustrations, and details to uncover or rediscover. In fact, I highly recommend that you take one of the guided tours. The guide will immerse you in a world of anecdotes while sometimes offering you access to exclusive passages.
Spoiler: When you enter, they ask for silence... but as I was saying... You will be breathless no matter what happens. Also, plan on an osteopath session because your neck will be tilted toward the sky so much...
Anyway, go for it with your eyes closed! Although...

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Way too much hype

Nice paintings in the galleries leading up to the chapel. Inside the chapel itself, I didn't find the ones on the ceiling all that impressive. And the picture of the contact with God that you see everywhere only represents a small part of the fresco.
A crazy amount of people too, so be prepared.

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Too much waiting

The visit to the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel is very interesting. Unfortunately, waiting 2 hours to get in, in a single file line that goes all the way around St. Peter's Square, is just not possible. Things could be better organized.

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Beautiful, yes, but...

I admit, the Chapel really deserves its status as a masterpiece, but I was just as impressed by the work done on the galleries leading up to it, with paintings on the ceiling in blue and gold. It felt like walking through a dream!!!
The only downside is that the entry fee is expensive. Not very saintly, if you ask me ;)

0
27/04/2015

Le dernier commentaire, j'aime !

27/04/2015

Le dernier commentaire, j'aime !

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So much more than just a place of worship

When you pay for the Sistine Chapel, you are actually paying for an entire complex of art galleries along with the chapel itself.

The paintings you will see there, whether on canvas or on the ceilings of the chapel, are splendid and worth the trip, no matter what your beliefs are.

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A must-see in Rome

If you love art, painting, and history, you cannot visit Rome and skip the Sistine Chapel. Every square centimeter of the walls and ceilings throughout this monument is covered in works by the great masters of art.

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Beautiful place

It is not just the famous dome that is worth seeing. The wonder begins right in the hallways.

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