At the Papal Palace & the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Rome

Virtually explore the Papal Palace and the Sistine Chapel with Smarthistory as your guide

videos + essays

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Raphael, <em>School of Athens</em>
Raphael, School of Athens

Whose side are you on? Two great philosophers of antiquity, Plato and Aristotle, face off in this meeting of minds.

Michelangelo, <em>Last Judgment</em>, Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo, Last Judgment, Sistine Chapel

As demons harvest new souls and angels wake the dead, Mary crouches, powerless beside Christ.

Perugino, <em>Christ Giving the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter</em>
Perugino, Christ Giving the Keys of the Kingdom to St. Peter

Togas or tights? Classical dress helps set the Twelve Apostles apart from a bunch of Renaissance men.

Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel
Ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

God created the world in seven days, but it took Michelangelo four years to depict it on this remarkable ceiling.