Vatican Museums

Pope Julius II opened the doors to a new collection in 1506, launching what would become the Vatican Museums. This sprawling complex now houses roughly 70,000 works, though space limits public viewing to about 20,000 pieces across 40 specialized departments. In 2024 alone, 6.8 million people walked these halls, making the institution the second most visited museum on Earth after Paris's Louvre.

Barbara Jatta has guided the institution as Director General since 2016, steering major projects like digital transformation and high-stakes preservation efforts. Mid-2026 marked the start of a five-year, €5 million restoration focused on the frescoes within the Hall of Raphael and the Loggia of Raphael, a project supported by global partners including the World Monuments Fund.

The visitor journey follows a specific path designed to culminate at the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo's ceiling and The Last Judgment dominate the walls. Beyond this famous finale, guests explore the Raphael Rooms, the Gallery of Maps, and 24 distinct galleries ranging from classical sculptures to modern religious art. Recent discoveries continue to spark interest; a rediscovered work titled The Triumph of the Rosary gained attention in 2026 following its connection to pop culture icon Jennifer Lopez. [edit]