Vatican_City


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Short Breaks

Monuments and Museums

Entratainment

Sistine Chapel

Vatican Palace

The Chapel was built between 1477 and 1481 by Pope Sixtus IV. From 1480 to 1483 the the walls were decorated by famous artists of Renaissance, such as Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio. After twenty years, Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to decorate the ceiling in 1508. Today, after the restoration, tourists can visit the chapel and see Michelangelo's “Last Judgement.” The Vatican has placed its enormous art collection on the Web in hopes that it will attract more tourists. The site allows visitors to take a virtual reality tour of some of the dozen museums and galleries that make up the Vatican collection, viewing Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel with a three-dimensional video. At the Chapel, you will invariably find it crowded with hundreds of tourists, so be prepared. The best way to see it is to go to the Vatican Museums early, so that you're among the first in line when they open. Silence should be observed and photography is not prohibited.

Vatican Necropolis

Phone: 06/69885318 Fax: 06/69885518
Location: Vatican Category: Cemeteries

Visit the pre-Constantine necropolis under St. Peter's for a fascinating glimpse of the underpinnings of the great basilica, which was built over the cemetery where archaeologists believe they have found St. Peter's tomb. Apply in advance by sending a fax or e-mail (scavi@fsp.va) with the name of each visitor, language spoken, possible days for the visit, and a local phone number. Reservations will be confirmed a few days in advance. No children under 15 are admitted. Tickets are sometimes available for same-day tours; apply in person at the Ufficio Scavi (Excavations Office), on the right beyond the Arco delle Campane (Arch of the Bells) entrance to the Vatican, which is left of the basilica. Tell the Swiss Guard you want the Ufficio Scavi, and he will let you by. www.vatican.va. EUR9. Ufficio Scavi Mon.-Sat. 8-5

A placard with a tribute to Pope John Paul II ("Grazie, Padre Santo" - Thank you, Holy