Located in Vatican City, the Sistine Chapel is one of the priceless treasures in the world. It is the site where the papal conclave takes place (the process for electing the Pope). Sistine Chapel is a part of the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope. Originally the chapel was called Cappella Magna. The foundation of the chapel was led between 1473 and 1481 by the famous architect Giovanni dei Dolci. It was named after Pope Sixtus IV, who played a significant role in its restoration. The famed Sistine Chapel is known for its series of frescoes that adorn the interior and designed by iconic Renaissance artists. All the paintings were completed in the year 1482. However, the chapel’s ceiling was painted in the early 16th century by one of the greatest painters, Michelangelo Buonarroti. It took the artist four years to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The scenes are depicted from the Book of Genesis and cover an area of 12,000 square feet.

Kindly note, Sistine Chapel has a stringent dress code. Visitors should cover their arms and legs while visiting the chapel, and it is applicable for both men and women. Hence, wearing shorts and sleeveless outfits are not allowed inside.

History Of The Sistine Chapel

Sistine Chapel was restored and rebuilt by Pope Sixtus IV in the 15th century. Pope Julius II commissioned several leading artists who took part in its decorations and adornments, including Raphael, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli, and Pietro Perugino. The ceiling of the chapel resembled a blue night sky filled with stars. Michelangelo, the great artist, repainted it between 1508 and 1512. These paintings turned out to be one of his most famous works. In 1535 Michelangelo returned to the chapel after Pope Clement VII requested him to paint a scene of ‘The Last Judgement’ on the chapel’s altar wall. The artist was in his 60s, and it took him five years to complete the artwork. A few other frescoes were repainted in the 16th century to repair some damages in the chapel.

Sistine Chapel Virtual Tour

The ceiling paintings and the murals depicting scenes from the ‘Life of Moses’ and ‘The Last Judgement’ are the highlights of the Sistine Chapel. The sheer magnificence of the interior is a visual feast and spellbinds visitors with its beauty. Unfortunately, saving money and traveling to the Vatican City is not possible for everyone. Sometimes it also happens that the Sistine Chapel is so crowded that a walking tour might not give you enough time to look into all the details. Most importantly, photography is strictly prohibited, and you will find the Italian guards yelling out words ‘no photo please’. This is when the enchanting 360 degrees 3D virtual sightseeing tour of the Sistine Chapel comes into action.

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