The Vatican Tour (Skip the Line)
The Vatican is a state within a state (it is within Italy, but it is not Italy).
It is the heart of the Roman Catholic Church.
Regardless of your faith, the priceless art and treasures, and the magnificent, almost overpowering architecture will astound you.
What we will see in the Vatican Tour:
Vatican Museums
The museums contain some of the greatest art and archaeological collections in the world, dating from antiquity to recent times and assembled over the past 500 years. If you’re a lover of art, this is a “must see”. If not, it’s a wonderful place to start (6 million visitors a year can’t all be wrong, and it will be my mission to “bring it alive” for you). Either way, it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude and beauty of the buildings and the priceless art and sculptures they contain.
Sistine Chapel
Is simply awe-inspiring. Located in the official residence of the Pope within the Vatican City, it has been in use for over 500 years. Its walls and ceiling are all frescoed (a method of painting using watercolours on wet plaster) by some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance period. The immense ceiling, and the “Last Judgement”, painted on one of the walls, are perhaps the most famous of Michelangelo’s works (interesting for someone who saw himself primarily as a sculptor). The Sistine Chapel is also the place where the cardinals meet to elect a new Pope.
Note that the Sistine Chapel can only be reached via the museums.
St. Peter’s Basilica
St. Peter’s Basilica is the “mother church” of the Catholic religion.
It has the largest interior of any Christian church in the world and can hold 60,000 people.
There’s nothing I can say about it other than that it is simply amazing and not to be missed, regardless of your religious preferences.
Vatican Tour - Skip The Line details:
This is a four-hour tour with moderate walking.
Meeting point at the entrance of the Vatican Museums: we can “skip the line” thanks to the prepaid booking which I can do for you.
Note that only with a guide you can use a special passage from the Sistine Chapel to enter the Saint Peter's basilica without line.
Operating days: Monday to Saturday
The Vatican Museums are closed: January 1st, January 6th, February 11th, March 19th, April 13, June 29th, August15th, November 1st, December 8th, December 25th, December 26th and every Sunday.
There is a dress code to visit the Vatican: don’t forget, both men and women must cover shoulders and knees.
