Italy

The Sistine Chapel

Everyone has heard about the Sistine Chapel since school. This is one of the places that you want to visit for life. But be sure to pre-study the topic to know where? what? and in what order to watch.

Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina), photo by xiquinhosilva

Construction history

The Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) was built by the Vatican from 1475 to 1481 by order of the pontiff Sixtus IV in honor of Mary's assumption in heaven. Previously, the Great Chapel was located at this place, where the papal court gathered and the conclaves passed. The reconstruction of the chapel was entrusted to the architect Baccio Pontelli and engineer Giovannino de Dolchi.

From the outside, the Sistine Chapel looks like a fortified bastion: a rectangular building 40.9 m long, 13.4 m wide and 20.7 m high. The situation in fragmented Italy was turbulent in the Middle Ages, hence the strong walls without frills. The chapel was to become a stronghold of the Catholic Church, a refuge where the popes could take refuge in troubled times. Sixtus IV wanted the house church of the Papal state to personify the protection of God's governors with their appearance, and emphasized their power by the interior decoration.

Sistine Chapel Building, photo by Stefano Petroni

Murals

The spacious hall of the chapel is flooded with light from the windows and the rays of the searchlights. The ceiling is especially brightly lit. There, in the high arches - the famous frescoes of Michelangelo Buonarotti. It is difficult to feel the greatness of the Sistine Chapel due to the many tourists. Noise and flickering of flash units interfere, although photographing (as well as making noise) is prohibited here.

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, by Michelangelo, photo by Salvatore Vitale

Vault painting scheme, photo by Vasyatka1

The ceiling of the chapel was painted by Michelangelo. Pope Julius II gave the order for the painting of the ceiling to Michelangelo at the request of Bramati, a competitor architect, envious Buonarotti. Until that time, the great master was engaged only in architecture. It is believed that Bramati wanted to provoke Michelangelo to excessive work and thereby achieve his defeat.

Having seen the creation of the Master, it becomes clear that no envious person could compare with the genius of Michelangelo and prevent him. Comprehensively gifted Buonarotti triumphantly acted as an artist, proving his great talent.

There is a legend that the artist worked on the painting of the vaults, lying on the woods - but in reality everything happened differently. Michelangelo stood under the arches. He had to lean back strongly to see a large section of the plane. It was physically difficult to paint on wet plaster, breathing in wet fumes. For four years, the master received several chronic diseases, spoiled his eyesight. The first stage of his work in the chapel took place in 1508-12.

Creation of Adam, work by Michelangelo, photo Maurizio

The frescoes were painted according to a special scheme, in chronological order. The artist began with a remote part of the vault opposite the altar. His first composition was The Flood.

Today, looking at these murals, one does not think about divine anger and a worldwide catastrophe. In these paintings, a man is seen with his weaknesses, fears, desire to survive at all costs. Michelangelo managed to create not cold religious stories with ethereal characters, but pictures of life that subtly convey the feelings of people.

Twenty years have passed since the end of Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel, when the pontiff again addressed him. Pope Clement VII ordered the Last Judgment fresco for the altar wall. The artist was already old and very sick, but agreed to fulfill the order.

Fresco "The Last Judgment" on the altar wall, Michelangelo (photo Maurizio)

And here we see this amazing huge mural. Michelangelo depicted not just the moment of reckoning for sins - he painted a terrible picture of the Apocalypse and general despair.

In its color, The Last Judgment differs from other frescoes of the chapel: its main background is bright blue. The artist used mineral lapis lazuli in it (he bought it, they say, with his own money). The altar painting of the chapel was completed in 1541. The composition includes 400 figures.

Standing in front of this picture, you no longer notice a crowd of tourists, or flashes of "forbidden" cameras. The genius of Michelangelo penetrates the soul - you remain alone with him.

The Last Supper, fresco by Cosimo Rosselli

The walls of the Sistine Chapel were painted by other eminent masters: Botticelli, Perugino, Roselli, Pinturicchio, Vasari, Salviati, Dzukkaro.

Michelangelo portrayed most of the characters in his frescoes naked. However, Pope Paul IV (1555-1559) saw blasphemy in them (well, or showed the usual hypocrisy). He did not like the naked bodies in the temple so much that he decided to destroy all the work of Michelangelo. The situation was saved by the artist Daniele da Voltaire, "covering" parts of naked bodies with painted pieces of fabric.

Restorers of the 20th century restored justice and removed the excess from great creations.

The restoration of the frescoes of the chapel was carried out more than once. The most ambitious work began in the 80s of the XX century and lasted until 2000. The last restoration caused controversy - a lot of high praise and severe criticism. However, today, thanks to the skill of restorers of the last century, we saw the masterpieces of the Renaissance in their original splendor.

Today the Chapel is a museum, an outstanding monument of the Renaissance. Conclaves are held here.

Sistine Papal Music Chapel

The Sistine Chapel has a male choir - the Papal Chapel (Capella Papale). His first squad was recruited as early as Sixtus IV. You can listen to the performance of the choir on major church holidays.

Sistine Chapel Opening Hours

Mon-Sat from 9:00 to 18:00 (last entrance at 16:00),

Every last Sunday of the month from 9:00 to 14:00 (last entrance is 12:30).

Entrance fees: Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel

Full ticket - € 17;
reduced - € 8.00;
The cost of booking online is € 4.00.

Audioguide (optional) - € 7.

Other options for visiting the Sistine Chapel are here.

To not stand in line, buy tickets on the official website.

How to get there

Take line A metro to Ottaviano Station;
by tram 19 to the stop Risorgimento - San Pietro;
by bus No. 49 - to V.le Vaticano / musei Vaticani; author 32, 81, 982 - to Piazza del Risorgimento; author 492, 990 - to Via Leone IV / Via degli Scipion.

Watch the video: Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (November 2024).

Popular Posts

Category Italy, Next Article

How to get tax free at the airport of Rome
Holidays in Italy

How to get tax free at the airport of Rome

If you are not a citizen of one of the Schengen countries, then when shopping at Roman outlets or shopping centers you have the opportunity to save on the return of value added tax (VAT). Agree that it is nice to get a discount on purchased goods of about 10-12%. To return the free fees after shopping in Rome, you need to fulfill several conditions: Make a purchase in one store for more than 100 euros; To issue at the time of purchase the return of the tax free in the form of a special form; Spend about 10-15 minutes on registration at the Fiumicino airport; Wait a week for a refund to the card, or pick up a slightly smaller amount on the spot.
Read More
Traditions and interesting facts about Christmas markets in Italy
Holidays in Italy

Traditions and interesting facts about Christmas markets in Italy

Live Christmas nativity scenes, houses of Santa Claus, huge Christmas trees - Christmas markets in Italy are numerous, original and full of surprises. Moreover, not only centuries-old local traditions create a special flavor, but also just the rich imagination of the inhabitants. This article presents both classic and more than unusual fairs in Italy, where this year you can go shopping or just to enjoy the magical atmosphere of Christmas.
Read More
What to do in Italy? 17 free ideas
Holidays in Italy

What to do in Italy? 17 free ideas

Are you going to Italy and thinking about how to diversify your trip and make it unforgettable? We are ready to offer you seventeen ideas that will cheer you up in the beautiful country of wine and sun and keep your wallet intact. Drink water from the lion’s head. Public drinking fountains in Italy are by no means uncommon.
Read More
Tips for tourists in Italy - safety precautions
Holidays in Italy

Tips for tourists in Italy - safety precautions

Many of us go on vacation to Italy, having forgotten everything except the upcoming vacation, including the advice of tourists and the authorities of the destination. Italy is actually a fairly calm and safe place to travel, but this does not mean that the country's guests will never find themselves in difficult and unpleasant situations.
Read More