Vatican Museums Behind the Scenes

During this VIP Vatican tour, enjoy skip the line entrance and visit the Niccolina Chapel and Bramante Staircase, normally closed to the public.

HIGHLIGHTS: 

  • Go behind the scenes of the Vatican with a professional Vatican lecturer
  • Enjoy a sneak peek of the Cappella Niccolina and Bramante’s spiral staircase
  • Enter into St. Peter’s Basilica through a special door, gaining direct access

Description

Vatican Museums Tour: Bramante’s Staircase and Cappella Niccolina

Enjoy a private VIP Vatican tour with a professional Vatican lecturer and receive exclusive access to sites that are not generally open to the public. Skip the long lines and meet your guide to enjoy the Cappella Niccolina  and Bramante’s Staircase, as well as Vatican highlights that include the Sistine Chapel and the Museo di Pio Clementino.

This tour occurs during the Vatican Museums’ standard hours of operation. However, this one-of-a-kind exclusive access allows the discerning traveller to explore some of the Museums’ intriguing areas that not many get to experience.

VIP Vatican Tour, Exclusive Access to Special Rooms

Meet your private English speaking guide from Italy’s Best and ascend Bramante’s Staircase, commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1512 to connect the Palace of Innocent VIII (1484-1492) with the city of Rome. Only accessible to certain visitors, these spiral stone stairs stand inside a square tower and at one time, were only climbed on horseback. They considered one of the most interesting architectural jewels of the Vatican Museums.

Have an up-close look at the Pope’s private place of worship, the Cappella Niccolina, adorned with gold that Christopher Columbus brought over from the Americas. Revel at the wondrous Renaissance frescoes by Beato Angelico, which represent the martyrdom of St. Lawrence and St. Stephen.

This exclusive vatican private tour also includes stops at other impressive Vatican exhibits that are included in a regular Vatican tour such as the Gallery of Candelabra, Gallery of Tapestries, Pinacoteca, Hall of Maps and last, but not least the Sistine Chapel. After the tour wraps, feel free to linger and spend some of your own time among Michelangelo’s masterpieces.

Please note this tour is subject to Vatican authorization.

 

Additional information

Duration

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Additional info

The Vatican reserves the right to make changes to the tour as rooms may be closed at the last minute for reasons of restoration or at the general discretion of the Vatican Museums. We can therefore not guarantee visits to any specific rooms. Throughout the tour, the Vatican Security Officer accompanies you