History

I Vatican Museumsone of the most famous museum complexes in the world, have a fascinating history that is closely intertwined with that of the Catholic Church and the city of Rome. Located within the Vatican City, the museums house one of the largest and most valuable collections of art and antiquities on the planet.

La history of the Vatican Museums formally began in 1506, when Pope Julius II decided to exhibit to the public the statue of Laocoon, an extraordinary work of Hellenistic art discovered in Rome in January of that year. This event marked the beginning of the papal collection of classical sculptures, which would later become the initial nucleus of the Vatican Museums.

Over the centuries, various popes contributed to the expansion of the collections and the construction of the buildings that now house the museums. Pope Clement XIV and Pope Pius VI were particularly significant in the 18th century for the opening of the Pio-Clementine Museum, which was mainly dedicated to classical Greek and Roman sculpture.

The 19th century saw further expansions, including the creation of the Gregorian Etruscan Museum, founded by Pope Gregory XVI in 1837 to house Etruscan artefacts. Under the same pope, the Egyptian Museum was also established, housing a vast collection of antiquities from ancient Egypt.

One of the most famous spaces in the Vatican Museums is the Sistine Chapel, famous for its breathtaking frescoes by Michelangelo, including the famous 'Last Judgement'. The Sistine Chapel is not only a priceless work of art, but also the place where the conclave for the election of the new pope takes place.

In the 20th century, Pope Pius XI established the Vatican Art Gallery in 1932, another significant expansion of the museum complex that houses an extraordinary collection of paintings from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Among the most famous works are those by Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio.

Today, the Vatican Museums extend over approximately seven kilometres of galleries and include various sections dedicated to different historical periods and artistic cultures. Every year millions of visitors from all over the world come to admire the museums' unique collections and spectacular architecture.

The Vatican Museums also play an important role in the conservation and restoration of works of art. Their restoration laboratory is one of the most advanced in the world and works tirelessly to preserve the artistic heritage for future generations.

In short, the Vatican Museums are not only an extraordinary collection of works of art and historical artefacts; they represent a journey through the history of Western culture and reflect the evolution of artistic taste and scientific interest of the Catholic Church over the centuries. The museums continue to be a symbol of eternal beauty and a beacon of knowledge that inspires millions of people every year.