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Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel), Rome (must see)
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most significant artistic and religious landmarks in the world. Originally known as the "Great Chapel," it was reconstructed and consecrated between 1473 and 1483, under Pope Sixtus IV; hence its name.
The chapel’s fame largely stems from its breathtaking frescoes, particularly Michelangelo’s ceiling and The Last Judgment on the altar wall. Before that, Renaissance painters such as Botticelli, Perugino, and several others had already adorned the side walls with depictions of The Life of Moses and The Life of Christ. Above these biblical scenes, portraits of popes and “deceive the eye” drapery added to the visual splendor. Raphael later designed tapestries for the lower walls in 1515, though many were looted and only partially restored in the 20th century.
Under the patronage of Pope Julius II, in 1508, Michelangelo repainted the chapel's ceiling, originally decorated with a blue background and golden stars. Despite considering himself more of a sculptor than a painter, he undertook the monumental task, conditioned he was given full artistic control. Michelangelo's work, completed in 1512, transformed Western art with vivid colors and a masterful composition that depicted The Creation of the World, The Fall of Man, and The Redemption of Humanity. More than 300 figures, arranged in three layers, included prophets, ancestors of Christ, and nine dramatic scenes from Genesis, covering over 5,000 square feet.
These frescoes are accompanied by the presence of male nudes. Additionally, the spandrels surrounding the vault feature sibyls, prophetesses from pagan mythology, who were embraced by Christian artists during the Renaissance as capable of foreseeing the arrival of Christ. One of the most iconic paintings within the chapel is The Creation of Adam, portraying God reaching out to create Adam against a backdrop of cloudy heavens. This renowned artwork is among the most reproduced religious paintings in history.
In 1535, under Pope Paul III, Michelangelo returned to paint "The Last Judgment" and completed it in 1541. This monumental fresco, portraying Christ’s Second Coming, stirred controversy due to its nude figures, leading to a censorship campaign. The artist mocked critics by incorporating their likenesses into the painting, while later interventions saw parts of the nudity covered.
The chapel’s structure, measuring 35 meters long, 14 meters wide, and 20 meters high, follows precise Renaissance proportions. Though plain on the outside, its interior is a masterpiece of composition and storytelling.
The chapel’s fame largely stems from its breathtaking frescoes, particularly Michelangelo’s ceiling and The Last Judgment on the altar wall. Before that, Renaissance painters such as Botticelli, Perugino, and several others had already adorned the side walls with depictions of The Life of Moses and The Life of Christ. Above these biblical scenes, portraits of popes and “deceive the eye” drapery added to the visual splendor. Raphael later designed tapestries for the lower walls in 1515, though many were looted and only partially restored in the 20th century.
Under the patronage of Pope Julius II, in 1508, Michelangelo repainted the chapel's ceiling, originally decorated with a blue background and golden stars. Despite considering himself more of a sculptor than a painter, he undertook the monumental task, conditioned he was given full artistic control. Michelangelo's work, completed in 1512, transformed Western art with vivid colors and a masterful composition that depicted The Creation of the World, The Fall of Man, and The Redemption of Humanity. More than 300 figures, arranged in three layers, included prophets, ancestors of Christ, and nine dramatic scenes from Genesis, covering over 5,000 square feet.
These frescoes are accompanied by the presence of male nudes. Additionally, the spandrels surrounding the vault feature sibyls, prophetesses from pagan mythology, who were embraced by Christian artists during the Renaissance as capable of foreseeing the arrival of Christ. One of the most iconic paintings within the chapel is The Creation of Adam, portraying God reaching out to create Adam against a backdrop of cloudy heavens. This renowned artwork is among the most reproduced religious paintings in history.
In 1535, under Pope Paul III, Michelangelo returned to paint "The Last Judgment" and completed it in 1541. This monumental fresco, portraying Christ’s Second Coming, stirred controversy due to its nude figures, leading to a censorship campaign. The artist mocked critics by incorporating their likenesses into the painting, while later interventions saw parts of the nudity covered.
The chapel’s structure, measuring 35 meters long, 14 meters wide, and 20 meters high, follows precise Renaissance proportions. Though plain on the outside, its interior is a masterpiece of composition and storytelling.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Rome. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel) on Map
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Sight Name: Cappella Sistina (Sistine Chapel)
Sight Location: Rome, Italy (See walking tours in Rome)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Rome, Italy (See walking tours in Rome)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Rome, Italy
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
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Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
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Tour Duration: 4 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 9.0 Km or 5.6 Miles
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Travel Distance: 9.0 Km or 5.6 Miles
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Rome is one of the world's top living museums, replete with some of the most iconic pieces of art on the face of the planet. Famous artists, such as Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Raphael, Bernini, to mention but a few, had lived and worked here and left indelible marks in the city.
Needless to say that the abundance of masterpieces makes Rome crowded with tourists anxious to see them, causing... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
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Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
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Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
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Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
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Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles
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