Vatican stories: The Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are one of the richest in the world. Here we can find a lot of precious exhibits. There are a lot of different rooms and corridors. It is worth seeing also a huge garden. 

The most famous is the Sistine Chapel designed and painted by Michelangelo in 15th century. Everybody knows more or less this brilliant masterpiece but I have for you some interesting facts:

Source

• The Sistine Chapel, dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption, is one of the most famous cultural and artistic treasures of the Vatican City. Welcomes over 25,000 visitors a day. 
• The name refers to the Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere who had requested the construction of this chapel in 1477.
  
• When the work was commissioned to Michelangelo, he was not enthusiastic, because his main artistic activity was the sculpture, with real regret he accepted the job.
•  Many believe that Michelangelo painted the ceiling lying on his back, he actually built a scaffolding, so he could paint with accuracy and control
  
• The whole area of ​​the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel measures 1/6 of a football field
•  The naked figures present in the fresco were considered inappropriate by the Council of Trent, which in 1564 ordered to change it. Daniele da Volterra covered the some parts with fig leaves, clothes, or other items.
•  In the Sistine Chapel, the College of Cardinals meet to elect the Pope from 1492
  
•  The biggest damage that visitors can do to the Sistine Chapel is invisible for a naked eye: sweat and heat from the skin of 5,000 visitors a day are a threat to the conservation of the masterpiece. In fact, the temperature and humidity are always under control.

Instead of the photos I propose you an interactive trip which is possible thanks to the students of Villanova University in Pennsylvania. They worked for 2 years with a special, advanced camera and now we can see the result. You can walk around the Sistine Chapel and zoom whatever you want. Enjoy!

VIRTUAL TRIP