The Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) is regarded as Michelangelo’s masterpiece and is included on bucket lists all around the world – likely including yours. (And if it’s not yet, it will be in a few minutes.)

The Sistine Chapel is one of the biggest attractions in Vatican City, and it’s known as much for its decorations as it is for being the location where new popes are chosen and crowned.

The chapel’s construction began in 1473 and was completed in 1481, during the mandate of Pope Sixtus IV. The architect behind the chapel was Giovanni of Dolci, but it’s not the architecture that draws crowds, it’s the frescoes (artwork) that completely covers the walls and ceiling of the chapel. Some of history’s most famous artists contributed to the chapel’s decoration, including Botticelli, Perugino, Luca, and Michelangelo.

Michelangelo spent four years painting the ceiling between 1508 and 1512, all of which depict stories and images from the bible. The most well-known of these images is “The Creation of Adam”, which is located in the central part of the ceiling and represents the story from Genesis where God gives life to Adam.

The chapel costs 16 euros to enter (about $18) for adults or is free on the last Sunday of each month. The tour of Vatican City costs 55 euros, which includes the chapel, museum, and St. Peter’s. It’s open Monday-Saturday from 9am – 6pm (though last tickets are sold at 4pm), and closed on Sundays, other than the last Sunday of the month. Check on the day you want to go, as it does close for certain events throughout the year.

Vatican City is in Rome, so it’s in an ideal location for ticking off a ton of amazing bucket list experiences.

If you’re planning a trip to Italy and want to compile a bucket list for your coming trip, our site is the best place to do it.You can use our bucket list maker, or download the Buckil app, available on iOS and Android, to take your bucket list with you so you can add to it on the go.