🎨 Sistine Chapel
Vatican City
About This Sacred Site
The Sistine Chapel is the best-known chapel in the Apostolic Palace, the official residence of the Pope. It is renowned for its Renaissance frescoes, above all Michelangelo's ceiling (1508-1512) and his Last Judgment behind the altar (1536-1541), among the most important works of art in human history. The chapel also contains frescoes by Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio, and other masters on the side walls. Most importantly, it is where the papal conclave meets to elect each new pope, with the famous white smoke signaling a successful election.
Key Facts
- •Michelangelo painted the ceiling between 1508 and 1512, covering over 500 square meters
- •The Last Judgment (1536-1541) covers the entire altar wall with over 300 figures
- •Papal conclaves to elect new popes have been held here since 1492
- •White smoke from the chapel chimney signals the election of a new pope
- •The chapel is named after Pope Sixtus IV, who commissioned its construction in 1473-1481
Location
Coordinates: 41.9029, 12.4545
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