Italy Travel And Hotel Guide

The Sistine Chapel , a huge barn-like structure built for Pope Sixtus IV between 1473 and 1481, serves as the pope’s official private chapel and the scene of the conclaves of cardinals for the election of apiece new pontiff. The ceiling paintings here, and the Last Judgement on the surround behind the altar, together make up arguably the greatest masterpiece in Western art, and the largest body of painting ever planned and executed by one man - Michelangelo. They are also probably the most viewed paintings in the world: it’s estimated that on an average day about 15,000 people trudge through here to take a look; and during the summer and on special occasions the number of visitors can exceed 20,000. It’s useful to carry a pair of binoculars with you in order to see the paintings better, but bear in mind that it is strictly forbidden to take pictures of any kind in the chapel, including video, and it is also officially forbidden to speak - although this is something that is rampantly ignored.

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