Read the painted papal rooms

Begin before the Vatican Museums entrance on Viale Vaticano. What did popes ask visitors to see in these painted rooms? After admission and security, follow the signs towards the Raphael Rooms. This visit stays with whole painted programmes, from imperial and papal stories to philosophy and theology. The Hall of Constantine introduces a project completed through different contributions from Raphael and his workshop. The Room of Heliodorus follows themes of protection. In the Room of the Segnatura, compare the School of Athens with the Disputation on the opposite wall. The Room of the Fire in the Borgo then uses an earlier papal event within a later commission. The Raphael Rooms are on the second floor. Follow the signed route down towards the Sistine Chapel on the first, asking staff for a lift when needed. Prepare the chapel's side walls, ceiling and Last Judgement before entering. Inside, keep silent and put your phone away. Allow roughly 110 to 150 minutes for looking, reading, walking and pauses, with entrance queues and the approach additional.