The Sistine Chapel in Vatican City
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most famous artistic treasures of the Vatican City, built between 1471 and 1484, in the time of Pope Sixtus IV, from which the name by which it is known, although initially called Palatine Chapel. It is known throughout the world as being the room that held the conclave and other official ceremonies as papal coronations, and for having been decorated by Michelangelo Buonarroti (Michelangelo).
Construction of the building took place between 1473 and 1481 during the reign of Pope Sixtus IV, who owes its current name. The architect in charge of construction was Giovanni de Dolci, the only work for which he is remembered.
The Vatican is a city-state located in Rome. Its dimensions are very small, barely 0.5 square kilometers and a population of approximately 900 inhabitants, but it is one of the most visited in the world. The Vatican is home to the Holy See, the highest institution of government of the Catholic Church. This place has the largest collection of Italian art from antiquity to the present day.
In the nave of the Basilica is exposed the body of Pope John XXIII. Also notice the beautiful mosaics, works of great artists, and the wonderful Bernini Baldacchino solid bronze on the high altar of the basilica is decorated with bees, the heraldic symbol of the Barberini family to which Pope Urban belonged VIII, under whose pontificate was completed.
In the tomb of St. Peter graves of numerous pontiffs among which stands the tomb of John Paul II, being of the most visited.
What draws the attention of the Sistine Chapel is not its architecture, but the frescoes completely covering the walls and ceiling. Some of the most important artists who worked on it are Botticelli, Perugino, Luca and Michelangelo.
All ceiling frescoes of the Sistine Chapel are the work of Michelangelo, which took four years to paint the dome, from 1508-1512.
If anything stands in the images on the ceiling are nine stories from Genesis to occupy the central part: They are represented scenes from the Drunkenness of Noah to the Separation of Light from Darkness.
Undoubtedly, The Creation of Adam is the most popular of the Sistine Chapel. It is located in the central part of the vault and depicts the story of Genesis in which God gives life to Adam.
Over the high altar and grandiose dimensions (13.7 by 12.2 meters) is another masterpiece by Michelangelo, The Last Judgment, painting of the Apocalypse of St. John.
Decorate the apse Michelangelo took five years of his life from 1536-1541. It was commissioned by Pope Paul III to cover the murals that existed before that date.
Views:
Start time: 9.30 am
Duration: about 4 hours
Availability: Tuesday and Saturday
Language: Spanish
Price: 47.00 euros per person. Children under 6 years free. Children under 13 years pay 42.00 euros reduced entry