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Rome Vatican City Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel 
The Vatican Museums are one of the most renowned and culturally significant museum complexes in the world. Located within Vatican City, they are not a single entity but a collection of 26 different museums under one umbrella. The museums are organized into various sections, including galleries, chapels, and rooms. Each focusing on a specific aspect of art, history, or culture. Spanning nearly seven kilometres of exhibits, they contain 54 galleries and over 42,000 works, with only a fraction on display making them one of the largest museum complexes in the world. Dating back to 1506 when the Vatican Museums were officially founded by Pope Julius II, following the discovery of the ancient marble sculpture Laocoön and His Sons in a Roman vineyard. This marked the beginning of the papal collection of art and antiquities. Over the centuries, various popes contributed to the expansion of the museums, adding new collections and galleries. The museums have evolved into a cultural hub, preserving and displaying masterpieces from various eras, including Renaissance art, Roman sculptures, and even contemporary works. In fact it was during the Renaissance (14th century to the 17th century) that the museums expanded considerably. During this time, Pope Julius II and subsequent popes collected classical sculptures, reflecting the period's admiration for Greco-Roman artistry. Renowned artists like Raphael and Michelangelo were commissioned to create masterpieces for the Vatican, many of which are now part of the museums' treasures. In the 18th century, Pope Clement XIV and Pope Pius VI established the Pio-Clementine Museum, dedicated to ancient sculptures. Pope Gregory XVI expanded the museums in the 19th century by founding the Gregorian Egyptian and Etruscan Museums, introducing collections of artifacts from ancient civilizations. Pope Pius XI inaugurated the Vatican Pinacoteca in 1932, providing a home for the Church's vast collection of paintings. The museums continued to grow, incorporating contemporary art, ethnological artifacts, and more, reflecting the Church's global reach and appreciation for diverse cultures. Today, the Vatican Museums stand as a testament to centuries of dedication to art, history, and knowledge and are now among the most visited museums in the world, attracting millions of visitors annually. On entry to the museums visitors are greeted by the modern spiral staircase, known as the "Bramante Staircase" as its design was inspired by Bramante’s original 16th-century helical staircase in the Vatican. The Spiral Staircase is actually a double helix staircase, designed in 1932 by Giuseppe Momo, and is one of its most iconic architectural features.   The Vatican Museums are home to a number of specialised collections that displays various historical and artistic periods. Among these is the Pio-Clementino Museum, where the staircase is located. This focuses on classical sculpture and houses some of the most celebrated pieces of antiquity. In addition, a museum dedicated to the Etruscans, which contains artifacts of the ancient Etruscan civilization, the predecessors of the Romans. The collection includes an array of pottery, intricate jewellery, and striking bronze statues, offering a glimpse into the lives and artistry of their culture. From there visitors have a number of options to the course that they take, but a number of rooms and galleries lead the visitors through the museums to some of the most famous and well worth visiting. The Raphael Rooms are among the most iconic. These are four lavishly decorated rooms which are adorned with magnificent frescoes painted by Raphael and his workshop.  Another highlight of the Vatican Museums is the vast Collection of Classical Antiquities. This impressive assembly features an array of sculptures, mosaics, and artifacts from ancient Greece and Rome, offering visitors a glimpse into the artistic and cultural achievements of these civilizations. The Greek Cross Room is named due to its shape, which resembles a plus sign with equal-length arms. Designed by Michelangelo Simonetti between 1775 and 1799, it was initially intended as the entrance to the Museo Pio Clementino. The room features a stunning mosaic floor, dating back to the 3rd century CE, with a depiction of Athena the goddess of wisdom and war (Minerva in Ancient Rome) at its centre.  The mosaic was originally discovered in Tusculum, near Rome, in 1741 and was transferred to the Vatican in 1776. The mosaic is framed by a modern design from the 18th century, which complements its ancient artistry. It includes rare lapis lazuli, a precious blue stone that adds to its uniqueness and value. Due to its historical and artistic significance, the mosaic is protected and cornered off from visitors. It's a remarkable blend of Roman craftsmanship and modern restoration. On either side of the room, are two massive red porphyry sarcophagi: one for Saint Helena, mother of Emperor Constantine, and the other for her granddaughter, Constance. It's a space rich in history and artistry, blending Roman and Christian influences The Room of the Tapestries, contain a collection of beautifully woven tapestries that depict biblical stories and historical events. This room provides a sense of grandeur and artistic excellence. Adjacent to the Room of the Tapestries is the Gallery of the Candelabra, this is known in Italian as the Galleria dei Candelabri and derives its name from the massive marble candelabra that are displayed throughout the gallery. A part of the Pio Clementino Museum it was originally arranged under Pope Pius VI between 1785 and 1788. It was during this period that the initial structure and design of the gallery were conceived to house a collection of classical sculptures, relics, and works of art. The gallery underwent significant renovations during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIII (1878–1903), and these changes resulted in the elegant decoration that visitors see today. This involved the fresco-painted ceilings, created by renowned artists such as Ludovico Seitz and Domenico Torti, depict significant events from Pope Leo XIII's time.  The gallery is divided into six sections by colourful marble columns. This division creates a visually striking space that guides visitors through an impressive collection of Ancient Greek and Roman artworks. The marble columns and candelabra serve not only as structural elements but also as decorative features that elevate the gallery's aesthetic appeal.  The Gallery of the Candelabra leads to the Sistine Chapel, one of the most famous and revered spaces within the Vatican Museums. The Sistine Chapel is renowned for Michelangelo's breathtaking ceiling frescoes, including "The Creation of Adam," painted by him between 1508 and 1512.  Michelangelo also painted "The Last Judgment" on the chapel's altar wall, completed in 1541, depicting the dramatic end of days and divine judgment.   The Sistine Chapel is one of the most renowned cultural and spiritual treasures of the world. It serves as the private chapel of the Pope and is the site where cardinals gather to elect a new Pope during a papal conclave.  The walls of the chapel feature frescoes by other great Renaissance artists such as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Perugino, portraying the life of Christ and the life of Moses. The sheer artistry and magnitude of the chapel leave visitors spellbound. It is considered a place of profound significance - not only for its unparalleled art but also for its role in the Catholic Church. Another corridor which is part of the main visitor route leading to the Sistine Chapel is the Gallery of Maps. This is adorned with maps of Italy painted in the late 16th century, offering a glimpse of how cartography was perceived during that time. The Gallery is a breathtaking corridor that showcases 40 large, frescoed maps of Italy, created between 1580 and 1583 under the direction of Pope Gregory XIII. These maps, painted by the renowned geographer and artist Ignazio Danti, depict the regions of Italy as they were in the 16th century, along with key cities and territories of the Papal States. Stretching for 120 meters long and 6 meters wide, the gallery is not only a marvel of cartography but also a work of art. The vaulted ceiling is adorned with intricate frescoes illustrating religious scenes and symbols, adding to the grandeur of the space. The maps are arranged with regions facing the Ligurian and Tyrrhenian seas on one side and those facing the Adriatic on the other.  Beyond the Gallery of Maps lies the Hall of Statues, or Galleria delle Statue. Established in the 18th century, this hall showcases some of the most iconic sculptures from ancient Roman and Greek history, serving as a testament to the artistic and cultural achievements of antiquity. Adorned with a magnificent collection of statues, busts, and decorative pieces, the hall features works such as the Apollo Belvedere which is a marble sculpture of the Greek god Apollo, renowned as a masterpiece of classical art. The setting of the Hall of Statues is designed to highlight the beauty and grandeur of these ancient works.  The Egyptian Museum showcases an extraordinary collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including sarcophagi, sculptures, hieroglyphs, and mummies. It's a fascinating exploration of an ancient civilization deeply intertwined with early Christianity. The Vatican Picture Gallery contains a collection of paintings spanning centuries, including works by legendary artists like Caravaggio, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, and Titian. Decorated under the direction of Pope Alexander VI, The Borgia Apartments are adorned with remarkable frescoes painted by artists like Pinturicchio. They beautifully depict religious themes with intricate detail and bright colours. While the museums are often associated with Renaissance and classical art, they also house modern masterpieces by artists like Salvador Dalí, Vincent van Gogh, and Paul Gauguin. The Vatican Museums feature several iconic courtyards, including the Courtyard of the Pine Cone (Cortile della Pigna), named after the giant bronze pinecone sculpture that dates back to Roman times. The large pine cone, measuring 13 feet (4 meters) tall, dates back to Ancient Rome and was originally part of a fountain with water flowing from the top, which was located near the Pantheon. The sculpture was later moved to St Peters Basilica during the Middle Ages, before finding its current home in the Vatican in 1608. It is flanked by two bronze peacocks, which are replicas of statues that once adorned the Tomb of Emperor Hadrian. Symbolically, the pine cone represents immortality, renewal, and enlightenment.  The courtyard also features modern art, including the Sphere within a Sphere (Sfera con Sfera) by Arnaldo Pomodoro, symbolizing the relationship between the religious and the modern world. This measures 13 feet (4 meters) in diameter and features two concentric spheres, with the outer sphere appearing fractured to reveal intricate inner gears. Pomodoro designed it as a reflection on the complexity and fragility of the world, symbolizing both Earth and the Christian world - ever-evolving yet vulnerable. Versions of this sculpture exist in places like the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Trinity College Dublin, and the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington, D.C.  Historically, this courtyard was utilized by Popes for gatherings, today, visitors can admire its art, architecture, and history. Another of the courtyards, is the famous Octagonal Courtyard (Cortile Ottagono). This courtyard contains some of the most illustrious sculptures in classical art history, such as "Laocoön and His Sons," a replica of which can be found in the Palace of the Grandmasters in Rhodes.  The masterpiece "Laocoön and His Sons" stands as one of the most celebrated sculptures in the Vatican Museums, embodying the pinnacle of dramatic expression and technical prowess in classical art. This poignant marble ensemble portrays the harrowing scene where Laocoön, a Trojan priest, and his two sons are ensnared by sea serpents dispatched by the gods. According to myth, these serpents were sent as retribution for Laocoön's attempt to warn the Trojans against accepting the Greek wooden horse into their city. Attributed to the ancient sculptors Agesander, Athenodoros, and Polydorus, this work is believed to date back to the 1st century BCE or early 1st century CE. The statue was unearthed in a vineyard in Rome, which was believed to be part of Emperor Nero’s palace, the Domus Aurea, in 1506. This profoundly influenced Renaissance art and established the sculpture as an enduring emblem of human suffering and divine anger. The vivid expressions of agony, the meticulous anatomical details, and the dynamic interplay of the figures combine to create a timeless masterpiece that continues to mesmerize visitors with its intense realism and emotional depth. Upon hearing of the discovery, Pope Julius II sent architects Giuliano da Sangallo and Michelangelo to investigate. They instantly recognized the statue’s importance and identified it as the very work described by Pliny the Elder in ancient texts. The Pope acquired the sculpture and placed it in the Vatican’s Octagonal Courtyard, where it still stands today. Interestingly, some pieces of the statue were missing when it was found, including Laocoön’s extended right arm. For centuries, scholars debated how the missing arm should be reconstructed. In the 20th century, an archaeologist discovered a fragment matching Laocoön's pose, confirming it had originally been bent rather than outstretched. The sculpture is a highlight of the Octagonal Courtyard, where it remains a focal point for visitors who are drawn to its compelling portrayal of pain and the intricate craftsmanship that still resonates through the corridors of time. Among the numerous statues in the Octagonal Courtyard, is the River God statue, also known as the Arno River God. This magnificent statue dates back to the time of Emperor Hadrian and is a Roman creation inspired by a Greek prototype. It depicts the river god in a traditional reclining pose, symbolizing the flowing nature of rivers. Originally part of a fountain, the statue's basin is a sarcophagus from 170-180 CE, adorned with scenes of battles between Greeks and Amazons. Over the centuries, the statue underwent several restorations by Renaissance artists, who replaced parts like the head, giving it an expressive bearded face. A small lion's head carved on the vase is believed to be a tribute to Pope Leo X Medici. The statue was once thought to represent the River Tigris due to the feline element, but it is now identified with the River Arno, which flows through Florence. Its artistic and historical significance makes it a standout piece in the Vatican's collection.  |
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All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
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