Your LivTours Express Early Morning Sistine Chapel Tour starts in front of the Vatican Museums where you will be greeted by your private expert guide. Your tour starts immediately with a look into the life and genius of Michelangelo Buonarroti, the mastermind behind the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes. You will even learn why this world renown fresco almost wasn’t painted!
Once inside the Museums, you will be given a brief tour of the collection. You will then make your way to the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, where you will marvel at Raphael and Michelangelo’s works an hour before the general public. Spanning just over 8611 square feet, the realistic depictions of important Biblical stories include the Creation of Adam, Original Sin, The Flood, The Last Judgement, and the second coming of Christ.
Afterwards, enjoy the apartments of Julius II and admire the marvelous fresco work; get close to the paintings and fully appreciate the intimacy of this work.
Once you are ready to move on from the Sistine Chapel, we encourage you to go on your own to St. Peter’s Basilica. This Renaissance church’s highlights include the 95 foot tall bronze decorative canopy which stands over the Papal Altar above St. Peter’s tomb. Another masterpiece you will not want to miss is Michelangelo’s only signed work La Pieta, made from Carrara marble. Known for its pristine beauty and portrayal of a suffering mother holding her deceased child – Jesus Christ – this piece is sure to move you.