What You Will Do
Experience the Vatican Museums like never before on this exclusive small group tour. With a maximum of 6 participants, you'll enjoy a more intimate and personal exploration of the Vatican's treasures. Your early morning access allows you to enter the museums one hour before they open to the general public, giving you a rare opportunity to admire the stunning art and architecture without the usual crowds.
Begin your tour with a knowledgeable guide who will lead you through the vast collection of the Vatican Museums, sharing fascinating insights into the history and significance of the artwork. Marvel at the breathtaking Sistine Chapel, with its iconic ceiling painted by Michelangelo.
Finally, enter St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world, and be amazed by its stunning interior and impressive collection of sacred art.
Don't miss this unique opportunity to explore the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica in a more exclusive and relaxed setting.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
You will meet your English Speaking guide at the Giuly's Café, located a few meters away from the Vatican Museums main entrance.
The guide will be holding an "Eyes of Rome" sign.
1
Vatican Museums
1 hour 10 minutes
With our Prime Tour, we get you inside the Museums at its first access.
Watch the Vatican Museum Galleries slowly come to life.
2
Cortile della Pigna
The Courtyard of the “Pigna”, created from the 16th-century area of the “Belvedere”
3
Sphere within a Sphere
The Sphere within a Sphere" by Arnaldo Pomodoro at the Vatican Museums is a striking sculptural masterpiece that graces the Cortile della Pigna. This captivating artwork features a large bronze sphere with a textured, fractured surface, revealing a smaller sphere within. The interplay of light and shadow on the intricate patterns adds to its mesmerizing allure. Symbolizing themes of complexity and inner depth, Pomodoro's sculpture at the Vatican Museums stands as a testament to the convergence of art, spirituality, and profound meaning in the heart of one of the world's most renowned cultural institutions.
4
Gallery Of The Maps
5 minutes
The Gallery of Maps, inside the Vatican Museums, displays a stunning collection of topographical maps of Italy. Created in the 16th century under Pope Gregory XIII, these beautifully painted maps span 120 meters, offering a unique geographical snapshot of the Italy of the past.
5
Gallery of Tapestries
5 minutes
The Vatican Museums' Gallery of Tapestries showcases stunning 15th and 16th-century tapestries, intricately woven with scenes from biblical and historical narratives. Inspired by designs from Raphael’s school, this gallery highlights the artistic sophistication and storytelling of the Renaissance.
6
Galleria dei Candelabri
5 minutes
The Gallery of the Candelabra is a part of the Vatican Museums, showcasing a rich collection of Greek and Roman statues, sarcophagi, and reliefs. It is named for the grand marble candelabra that decorate it, dividing the gallery into thematic sections. Set up in the late 18th century, the gallery merges ancient art with stunning architectural details, providing visitors a journey through history and beauty.
7
Sistine Chapel
30 minutes
The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored between 1477 and 1480. It is known throughout the world both for being the place where the conclave and other official ceremonies of the Pope are held (in the past also some papal coronations), and for being decorated with one of the most famous and celebrated works of art of artistic civilization the frescoes by Michelangelo.
8
St. Peter's Basilica
45 minutes
Enjoy the breathtaking Saint Peter's Basilica, shrine of Christianity and Art. You will marvel at the Priceless Pietà, by Michelangelo, and stop by the venerable tomb of Saint John Paul II & Pope Karol Wojtyla.
The Pietà (1498–1499) is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.
9
La Pieta
The Pietà is a work of Renaissance sculpture by Michelangelo Buonarroti, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. It is the first of a number of works of the same theme by the artist. The statue was commissioned for the French Cardinal Jean de Bilhères, who was a representative in Rome. The sculpture, in Carrara marble, was made for the cardinal's funeral monument, but was moved to its current location, the first chapel on the right as one enters the basilica, in the 18th century. It is the only piece Michelangelo ever signed.
10
St. Peter's Baldachin
5 minutes
The Baldachin in St. Peter's Basilica is a breathtaking masterpiece of art and architecture. Designed by the renowned Baroque sculptor and architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, it stands as a magnificent bronze canopy over the high altar of the basilica. This ornate structure, adorned with intricate details and towering over 90 feet tall, serves as a symbol of the grandeur of the Catholic Church and a focal point of the basilica's interior. It is a true marvel that captivates visitors with its beauty and historical significance.
11
St. Peter's Square
15 minutes
This monumental elliptical space, enclosed by 284 Doric columns four rows deep (196m wide and 148m long), is the masterpiece of Gian Lorenzo Bernini, who laid it out during the pontificates of Alexander VII and of Clement IX.
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