Vatican City is a location on most people’s vacation lists. Indeed, it is somewhere people make a point of visiting when they are in Rome, Italy. While it is the smallest country in the world, it is packed full of history and interesting attractions. In particular, tourists love to see the Vatican museums.
If you are somebody that wants to learn more about religion or you are fascinated by history, you definitely should make a point of seeing the Vatican museums. But, if you are not familiar with them, they include various galleries that you are free to walk around and enjoy. In particular, you can see amazing artwork. Let’s take a closer look at the Vatican Museums and what they are all about.
Areas Not to Miss in the Vatican Museums
There are some areas in the Vatican museums that continue to be a hit with tourists. Let’s take a closer look at some of them so you can get a better idea of what to expect.
Sistine Chapel
First of all, one of the most popular places to visit is the Sistine Chapel. Here, you are able to experience Italian culture, as well as admire the artwork. If you are religious, this is also a special place to be. In particular, one of the highlights is the artwork by Michelangelo, and it is something you want to see for yourself. To guarantee that you are able to see the Sistine Chapel, it is best to book a tour. To know more about the private Vatican tours that you can enjoy, click the link and visit What A Life Tours. This experienced tour company allows you to see the best parts of the Vatican Museums.
Gregorian Etruscan Museum
If you are someone that loves history, there is going to be no better place to be than the Gregorian Etruscan Museum. Here, you can enjoy eight galleries of ancient artifacts from Etruria. You can see everything from vases to sarcophagi from this era, which is truly fascinating. The museum was first opened by Pope Gregory XVI way back in 1836 and it continues to be a hit with tourists.
The Gallery of Maps
Another favorite spot for a lot of tourists is the Gallery of Maps. This is an extraordinary gallery that is around 120 meters long. Here you can wander around and look at the painted maps of Italy. When you admire this artwork, you can imagine that it took ages to create. Indeed, it is estimated to have taken Danti around three years. Do not forget to also admire the artwork that is on the ceiling by Cesare Nebbia.
Raphael’s Rooms
Somewhere you might have heard of before in the Vatican is Raphael’s Rooms. Indeed, it is a busy part of the museums, and you can see a lot of artwork here. What’s more, it used to be home to Pope Julius II.
What is the Best Way to See the Vatican Museums?
We have only covered some of the most popular parts of the Vatican Museums. There is so much more you can see, and it can take hours to get around everything. But, it can also be busy, which is something you have to remember if you are trying to plan your vacation. Indeed, you need to think carefully about when you are going to visit, as well as the way you are going to see the Vatican Museums.
The Best way to see the Vatican Museums is to arrange a tour. This is going to mean going around with a guide that can explore the history of each gallery to you in an easy-to-digest way. This means that learning is less work, and it keeps things interesting. What’s more, booking a tour means that you are definitely going to get into the Vatican Museums. As we have mentioned, the place can be very busy, and there are can long lines to get in. When you have a ticket in advance, you are going to secure your entry. Plus, there are some tickets that will allow you to skip this line and save time on your vacation.