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Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina)
A vist to Rome is not complete without a visit to the Vatican and espacially the Sistine Chaple. The chapel is named after its founder, Pope Sixtus IV, who had it built 1473-1477. In 1508, Pope Julius II asked Michelangelo Buonarroti to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. Michelangelo, who considered himself a sculptor and not a painter didn’t want the job. Michelangelo couldn’t refuse, however, and began to work on the Sistine Chapel ceiling in May, 1508; he finished in October, 1512. The result, however, was a masterpiece.
The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel was originally painted with golden stars against a blue sky. This was replaced by Michelangelo who was originally supposed to paint the 12 apostles. Michelangelo thought this would be too poor and got permission for full creative freedom. The focus of the ceiling are nine stories from Genesis, starting at the back above the altar and The Last Judgment: Separation of Light from Darkness, Creation of the Stars, Separation of the Land from Waters, Creation of Adam, Creation of Eve, Fall of Man, Noah’s Sacrifice, the Flood, and the Drunkenness of Noah.
Opening Times:
Mon – Sat: 8.45 am – 1 pm (mid November till mid March, and mid June till the end of August).
Mon – Fri: 8.45 am – 4 pm, Sat: 8.45 am – 1 pm (mid March till mid June and September till end of October.
Note: closed every Sunday, except for the last Sunday of each month, unless it falls at Easter, on June 29 (St. Peter and Paul), or on December 25 and 26 (Christmas Holiday).
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Vatican Museums
Rome
Tel: +39 06 9883333
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| www.vatican.va |
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St. Peter's Basilica
The centre of the Roman Catholic faith, St. Peter’s draws pilgrims from all over the world. This church was completed around AD 349, but till the 15th century it was falling apart. In 1506 Pope Julius II laid the first stone of a new church. It actually took more than a whole century to build it and most of the great architects of the Roman Renaissance Baroque period helped to design it.
in 1939, workers renovating the grottoes beneath St. Peter's, the traditional burial area of the popes, made a stunning find. Just below the floor level, they discovered an ancient Roman grave. It soon became clear that there wasn't just one grave, but an entire city of the dead. After many months of digging, the excavators came to a section of older graves, near the area underneath the high altar. Directly beneath the altar, they found a large burial site and a wall painted red. In a niche connected to that wall, they found the bones of a man. More than 20 years later, in 1968, Pope Paul VI announced that those bones belonged to St. Peter.
The dress code is strictly enforced at St. Peter’s Basilica. No shorts, bare shoulders or miniskirts allowed. This applies to both men and women. Even if you get through security, the attendants will turn you away at the door.
Opening Times:
Daily, April – September: 7 am – 7 pm, October – March: 7 am – 8 pm.
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Piazza San Pietro
Rome
Tel: +39 06 6988 662
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St. Mary Major (Santa Maria Maggiore)
The appellation of this church is confusing to many - it means that this is Rome's major or principal church dedicated to St Mary. It is the only Roman basilica which, in spite of several additional decorations, has retained its original shape. Legend claims that the plan of the church was outlined by a miraculous snowfall in August (possibly in 358). The legend is commemorated every year on August 5th, when white rose petals are dropped from the dome during the festal Mass.
Opening Times:
Daily: 7 am – 8 pm.
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42 Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore
00185
Rome
Tel: +39 06 4465836
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Chiesa Nuova
The Chiesa Nuova (New Church) is one part of a large complex, which was built in several stages beginning in 1575, to accommodate the work of St.Philip Neri and of the Congregation of the Oratory. Work started towards the end of the sixteenth century and the finer details, such as the facade, were finished nearly one hundred years later. The church was filled with the works of the most prestigious artists of the l6th century: Caravaggio , Rubens, Federico Barocci and Pietro da Cortona.
Opening Times:
Daily: 8 am – 1 pm & 4 pm – 7.30 pm (winter), 8 am – 1 pm & 4.30 pm – 7.30 pm (summer).
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Via del Governo Vecchio, 134
00186
Rome
Tel: +39 06 6875289
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| www.chiesanuova.net |
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Trinita Dei Montei
This is one of only a very few churches in Rome with twin bell-towers and is probably the most recognized because of its location at the top of the Spanish Steps. This church was built in 1495 by the French but was later heavily damaged. There is a wonderful life-sized statue of Christ Carrying the Cross to the right as you enter the church. There are many side chapels, each decorated with Mannerist paintings, including two works by Daniele da Volterra, one of Michelangelo''s students. Nearby is a monastery that now houses a school managed by Dame del Sacro Cuore
Opening times:
Daily: 7 am – 12 pm & 4 pm – 7 pm.
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Piazza della Trinita dei Monti
Rome
Tel: +39 06 6794179
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Santa Maria della Pace
The first church here, built in the Middle Ages, was the church aquarellari, the water-salesmen who provided casks of water from the Tiber to parts of Rome that had no direct water supply. The beautiful present church was built in 1480 by Baccio Pontelli for Pope Sixtus IV, after the pope had made a vow to build a new church here if peace was restored between the Papal States and Florence, Milan and Naples. Pietro da Cortona added the Baroque facade in 1656, and the piazza enlarged to accommodate the carriages of the church''s wealthy parishioners. The church became very popular after Pope Alexander VII had restored it. For a long time, it was the only church in Rome that offered Mass in the afternoon on a regular basis.
Opening times:
Daily: 9 am – 12 pm & 4 pm – 6 pm.
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Vicolo del Arco della Pace 5
Rome
Tel: +39 06 6861156
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Sant'Ignazio di Loyola
Cardinal Ludovisi built this beautiful church in 1626, dedicated to St. Ignatius of Loyola. The magnificent splendour of this chapel is typical of the period. Inside, you can admire the precious stones, gilding, marble and stucco work. Also noteworthy is the ceiling in which the frescoes do not look down at you but, rather, as you look up at them, they seem to be ascending into the Heavens.
Opening times:
Daily: 7.30 am – 12.30 pm & 4 pm – 5.15 pm.
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Via del Caravita, 8a
00186
Rome
Tel: +39 06 6794406
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Gesu Church
Construction of this massive church has begun in 1568 by Vignola and was finally finished by Giacomo della Porta in 1575. Michelangelo offered the new order plans for the first church but died before his plans could be acted upon. It is quite large and sits behind Palazzo Venezia where via d. Plebiscito and Corso Vittorio Emanuele II meet in Piazza del Gesu. You will find the tomb of St. Ignatius (its founder) buried under the altar. Also found in this church is the largest known globe made of solid lapis lazuli. Be sure to check out the exquisite ceiling painting, Triumph in the Name of Jesus.
Opening times:
Daily: 6 am – 12.30 pm & 4 pm – 7 pm.
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Piaaza del Gesu
00186
Rome
Tel: +39 06 697001
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Churches
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