Vatican Museums: must-see things to see in the papal residence

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

The Vatican, the seat of the highest spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church, is associated with many mysteries and conspiracy stories. And today this tiny state is known as the largest museum in the world. For centuries, the Pantiffs have worked to transform the Vatican palaces into museums. Once in the papal residence, it will take more than one day to see her treasures. This review is just a few of the many must-see rooms, galleries and exhibits.

1. "Cabinet of masks"

The floor of this office is covered with a unique mosaic of the 2nd century AD, its ornament is composed of various theatrical masks. Previously, she decorated the floor of the villa of Emperor Hadrian in Tivoli. The hall was designed by the architect Alexander Dari in 1772, and 8 years later - by Michelangelo Simonetti. The walls are lined with magnificent statues representing Roman antique copies.

2. "Edessa Mandylion"

The holy relic called the Mandylion of Edessa, one of the most valuable exhibits in the Vatican, is the first face of Jesus not made by hands. According to legend, the sick king from Edessa sent a messenger to Jesus with a request for healing. Christ took the canvas, wiped his face with it and gave it to the messenger. Having received this canvas with a face imprinted on it, the king was miraculously cured.

3. "Chiaramonti Museum"

The pope who founded this pearl was called Pius VII Chiaramonti. This museum is entirely devoted to antique sculpture. It contains an impressive number of statues and busts along the walls, and more than 4,000 gravestones.

4. "Gallery of busts"

When you are in this gallery, you get a not very pleasant feeling, as if dozens of antique statues, busts and heads are carefully watching you with their stone eyes. Among them are gods and patricians, emperors and common people.

5. "Hall of the Muses"

The basis of the exposition of this hall is a group of sculptures of ancient Athens - nine muses and the god Apollo, found during excavations in the territory of the villa Cassia near Tivoli. The ceiling is decorated with frescoes by Tommaso Conca, on which, in addition to the muses and Apollo, the artist depicted the greatest poets of antiquity.

In the center of the hall is its main attraction - the Belvedere torso, 1st century BC. e., the prototype of which is not precisely established due to the lack of a head. He was admired by the great Michelagelo, who called himself a disciple of this "torso".

6. "Ladder to Bramante"

This staircase, carved out of stone and without steps, connecting the Belvedere and the Papal Palaces, was designed by the famous architect Donato Bramante and consists of two gentle inclined planes without steps in the form of a double helix, reminiscent of a DNA molecule.

This design made it possible to deliver goods to the Palais des Papes on horseback, moving freely in both directions. Unfortunately, this spiral staircase is not available for mass visits, only on some tours you can see it.

7. "Papal Toilet"

Only special tours of the Vatican Museums allow you to see the unusual exhibits hidden behind many doors. One of them is an antique daddy toilet of a rather unusual design, which is carved from beautiful and very durable wood.

8. "Hall of animals"

About 150 statues of various animals are in this room, which can be viewed endlessly. They are made so flawlessly that it seems as if these real and mythical animals, expressive and dynamic, just froze in place and will soon come to life.

9. "Gregorian Egyptian Museum"

The popes' interest in Ancient Egypt is due to the special role assigned to this state in the Holy Scriptures. The collection was started by Pope Gregory XVI in 1839. And, despite the fact that it is relatively small, truly unique exhibits are kept here, one of which is a part of the statue of Ramses II.

And for those who do not yet have the opportunity to go on a trip, we have collected 12 world-class museums you can "visit" on the Internet.