Early Entry Sistine Chapel & Vatican Museums

Michelangelo's ceiling and the Last Judgment

Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to paint the vault, and the work was carried out between 1508 and 1512. Michelangelo thought of himself first as a sculptor, and the figures show it: they are muscular, twisting and almost carved. The central strip follows episodes from the Book of Genesis, from the separation of light from darkness to the Creation of Adam, where the near-touching hands of God and Adam have become one of the most reproduced images in art.

Decades later Michelangelo returned to paint the Last Judgment on the altar wall, completed in 1541. The mood is far darker than the ceiling, with a swirling mass of the saved and the damned around a commanding figure of Christ. Both works were cleaned in the late twentieth century, which restored a brighter palette than many people expected.

The conclave connection

The Sistine Chapel is also the venue for the conclave. When a pope dies or resigns, the voting cardinals are sealed in to choose a successor, and the smoke from a chimney above the chapel tells the waiting crowd in St Peter's Square whether a decision has been reached. Black smoke means no result; white smoke means a new pope has been elected.

Making sense of the museum route

The Vatican Museums are not one gallery but a chain of palaces, corridors and courtyards built up by successive popes. The usual way through winds past sculpture courts, tapestries, painted maps and the Raphael Rooms before reaching the chapel. It helps to know in advance that the chapel is a destination at the end of a long walk, so pace yourself and keep some energy for it.

• Notice the ceiling first, then the end wall, then the side walls.
• Look for how Michelangelo uses architecture painted on the vault to frame the stories.
• Stand still for a few minutes and let your eyes adjust to the light.

Etiquette inside the chapel

The Sistine Chapel is a place of worship, and the rules reflect that. Photography is not allowed, voices are meant to stay low, and attendants regularly call for silence. Shoulders and knees need to be covered throughout the Vatican, and large bags are usually left in a cloakroom. Reading a short summary of the ceiling beforehand makes a real difference, because it can feel crowded and the room rewards recognition rather than discovery.

Why a calmer visit changes the experience

A famous room feels very different depending on how many people are in it. Earlier in the day the halls leading to the chapel tend to be quieter, and the long corridors, such as the Gallery of Maps with its painted ceiling, can be looked at properly rather than hurried through. If you have any choice about timing, an early visit usually means more space to look up, and looking up is what this building asks of you.