Discover the Vatican Museums 2026

Assembled by popes over centuries, the collection spans roughly seven kilometers of exhibition space with works ranging from antiquity to the modern era and ranks among the most important art museums in the entire world.

The four grand papal reception rooms were decorated by Raphael and his workshop in the early 16th century, including the famous fresco The School of Athens, which gathers ancient philosophers in an imposing architectural setting.

Built in 1932, the double-helix staircase allows visitors going up and down to use it simultaneously without crossing paths, and its elegant geometric form makes it one of the most photographed architectural details of the Vatican.

The roughly 120-meter-long gallery displays 40 detailed 16th-century wall maps of Italy's regions, whose elaborately gilded ceiling frescoes make the corridor itself an impressive work of art.

The main entrance on Viale Vaticano is about a ten-minute walk from the Ottaviano metro station in Rome; a timed online ticket saves long waits at the box office.

Assembled by popes over centuries, the collection spans roughly seven kilometers of exhibition space with works ranging from antiquity to the modern era and ranks among the most important art museums in the entire world.

The four grand papal reception rooms were decorated by Raphael and his workshop in the early 16th century, including the famous fresco The School of Athens, which gathers ancient philosophers in an imposing architectural setting.

Built in 1932, the double-helix staircase allows visitors going up and down to use it simultaneously without crossing paths, and its elegant geometric form makes it one of the most photographed architectural details of the Vatican.