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Forum Question Posted By: Replies:
Rome
Sistine Chapel visit
Posted: Thu January 26, 2006 04:50 AM UTC
Hello,

I am planning to visit Rome in September, and I am having trouble understanding the Vatican Museum website. Is it possible to visit the Sistine Chapel while taking the English guided tour of St. Paul's Cathedral, or do you have to buy a ticket to enter the Vatican Museum in order to see it? I would primarily like to take the guided tour of the Cathedral and get a look at the Sistine Chapel without seeing the entire museum, but I'm not sure if that is possible. Also, any opinions on when is the best time to visit on a Saturday (morning or afternoon)?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!
Tara
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Rome
RE: Sistine Chapel visit
Posted: Thu January 26, 2006 06:29 AM UTC
While I guess you were referring to St Peter Basilique (St Paul Cathedral is somewhere else), you might want to know that the Cappella Sistina is part of the museum and not part of the church. As far as I know, you have to enter the museum (and take the related ticket) to visit the Chapel. There are several alternative routes you can follow there, some longer than others, and all of them pass thru the chapel. But there is not a tour limited to the Sistine only. The museum is huge and include also other unique pieces you should not miss, as Raffaello paintings. Check well for the opening hours and days, some Sundays are at free entrance, and because of that extremely crowded.
Enjoy, Rob

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RE: RE: Sistine Chapel visit
Posted: Thu January 26, 2006 07:23 AM UTC
Yes, the visit is as the previous poster wrote. However, one way to do it is as soon as you get your ticket go straight to the Sistine Chapel. Then it is possible to do the rest of the museum, by a slightly convoluted route. The best way to see the Sistine Chapel is the way we did it. We arrived at the Vatican Museum before it opened, about 6.30a.m. and we were third in the queue. Then, we bought our ticket at opening time and whizzed straight to the Sistine Chapel. We had fifteen glorious minutes of the place absolutely to ourselves before the first other tourists arrived. The 6a.m. bit in't as bad as it sounds, as fellow q-ers are interesting and companionable, and you can pass the time quickly. After viewing the Chapel, you then join the route for the Vatican Musem - you shouldn't miss this as there are some wonderful items.

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RE: Sistine Chapel visit
Posted: Thu January 26, 2006 01:52 PM UTC
Tara, the other two posts are correct; the Sistene is at (and inside) the exit of the Vatican Museums, so you have to enter the Museums to see it. The posting on getting to the entrance very early and racing to the Chapel is interesting. I have been in the Museums when I saw dozens of people running madly through the Museums for the exit (i.e., to get to the Sistene Chapel) - I thought that was kind of odd, but if you're the first person in the Museums, well, at least you're not knocking anyone down ;-) Plus, in the ordinary course of events, the Sistene will be packed to the walls with tourists talking, making noise, and ignoring the orders from the guards not to take pictures...so maybe it's worth a try ;-) Bring small binoculars...the masterpieces on the walls are far away...

The other posters are correct to say that you need to look at some of the other stuff in the Museums. It's the most expensive set of Museums in Italy (I think) for a reason - Popes have been collecting (and being given) this stuff for centuries.

You will see many tips here in the forums about not getting to the entrance at opening time, but going later (and walking right in)...if you do this, make sure that you know the exact hours - on many Saturdays, the Museums close earlier than on weekdays.

Bill

P.S. St. Peter's is normally referred to as a "basilica", not a "cathedral", just so you don't confuse anybody...

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RE: RE: Sistine Chapel visit
Posted: Thu January 26, 2006 02:21 PM UTC
Oh yes, sorry about the faux pas...of course I know it's St. Peter's Basilica, but I had a brain lapse back to touring St Paul's in London. :)

Good tips about visiting the Sistine Chapel early. I cringe a bit at that early entry option just because we'll be getting into Rome 11:30 PM the night before, but maybe I can swing it. :) It does look like it closes in the early afternoon that Saturday, so I doubt if waiting until just before closing would make it any better. I don't suppose there are advance tickets to the museum?

I have heard that the rest of the museum has great art, too. I was hoping to at least get a cursory look at those works, too--unfortunately, I have a whirwind stop in Rome planned, so time is in short supply. I'll do my best, though!

Thanks, all!
Tara

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RE: RE: Sistine Chapel visit
Posted: Thu January 26, 2006 04:26 PM UTC
When I saw your ID ws "londonlover", I understood perfectly what happened: St. Paul vs St. Peter ;-) Hey, these two guys were good friends, right?

In the floor of St. Peter's, there are bronze markers showing how big other major churches in Christendom are, assuming that you overlay the footprints starting at the back wall (so these markers are near the entrace of St. Peter's). I think St. Paul's is one of them...but I forget...would be fun to look for...

Bill

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RE: RE: Sistine Chapel visit
Posted: Thu January 26, 2006 07:04 PM UTC
I did not think to St Paul in London at first, since there is a beatiful cathedral in Rome called St. Paul, too. Just to complete the information, in Rome there are 4 cathedrals officially called 'basilica'.

Those are the 4 special churches in the world were, for example and if you are a believer, you can get the general forgiveness thru the holy doors (normally closed) during the holy years.

Other than St. Peter (Pietro), there are St. John (Giovanni) official residence of the pope as Roma's father, St. Maria Major (Maria Maggiore) close to Termini central station and home of the conservatives, and St. Paul (Paolo) so called out-of-the-(city)-walls.

Pietro and Paolo are often represented together in Rome (as at the start of the angels' bridge in front of St Angel Castle) for the since they are the 2 saints protecting the city, Peter as the church founder (often represented with the two keys) and Paul as the church defender (often represented with a sword) and a former roman soldier. The last 'basilica' is one of the most original and beautiful to me with its golden front view and the complete set of popes mosaics on the wall. It is a bit out of the tourists routes.

Let me know if I can help with more info.

Rob, a roman...

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