From the Heart of Saint Peter to the Vatican Museums

A journey through centuries of sacred art and spirituality, beginning in the heart of St. Peter’s Basilica a universal symbol of faith and Christianity and culminating within the Vatican Museums, guardians of Christian beauty. A special itinerary for those seeking both an aesthetic and spiritual experience, beginning with St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church ever built by human hands and continuing through the Vatican Museums, with their vast collection of artworks gathered by the Popes over the centuries, ranging from classical antiquity to the Renaissance and contemporary art.

Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II, the Vatican Museums house an extensive collection of artworks gathered by the Popes over the centuries, ranging from classical antiquity to the Renaissance and contemporary art. Among the many sections of the museum, the Pinacoteca stands out, showcasing masterpieces by great painters such as Leonardo, Raphael, and Caravaggio. Equally notable is the Pio-Clementine Museum, which, in its twelve halls, displays some of the most important masterpieces of Greek and Roman sculpture.

The Gallery of Maps, built between 1580 and 1585, with its 40 frescoes of the various Italian regions, with maps of the main cities, and the Raphael Rooms, the four rooms of the papal flats with their marvellous frescoes, the masterpieces of Renaissance painting. A journey of beauty that prepares us to enter the heart of this museum complex: the Sistine Chapel with its vault dedicated to the Creation and the journey of Humanity, from the Original Sin to the Great Flood, and the great wall with the majestic and impressive Last Judgement, absolute masterpieces by the great Michelangelo. A unique place in the world where the Conclave meets to elect a new Pope. 

St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church ever built by human hands, stands as the symbolic heart of Christianity. Within its walls, the history of the Church has unfolded through popes, Ecumenical Councils, and Jubilees. Awaiting us here are the majestic dome, the grand bronze canopy, and numerous monuments and altarpieces bearing the indelible marks of artistic genius Michelangelo, Bernini, Raphael, and many other masters who left us timeless treasures of beauty.

 

ITINERARY

1. Meeting point at ORP's office in St. Peter's Square

• Welcome and introduction to the symbolic meaning of the Bernini's square and colonnade

2. Guided tour of St. Peter's Basilica (with priority access)

• tour of the basilica with an official Vatican guide
• Discovery of Michelangelo's masterpieces (Pietà, Dome), Bernini (Baldacchino), and sacred places such as St. Peter's Tomb

3. Reserved entrance to the Vatican Museums (without guide, without audio guide)

• Dedicated access thanks to the priority ticket
• Freedom to explore and visit the galleries, the Sistine Chapel, the Egyptian, Etruscan, early Christian and Renaissance collections.