A look inside the Sistine Chapel, the seat of the Papal Conclave
The Sistine Chapel, nestled deep within Vatican City's guarded walls, is instantly recognized for Michelangelo's artistic masterpiece adorning its ceiling. Yet, its significance extends far beyond that. It plays a central role in Catholicism as the venue for papal elections.
Following the death of Pope Francis, who died at the age of 88 due to a complications from a stroke, including a coma and "irreversible" heart failure, the world's attention turns to the cardinals gathering in the sacred space. There, they will engage in prayer and deliberation to elect a new leader for the Catholic community around the world.
But what does the Sistine Chapel look like and why is it so important? Read on.
A room where history, holiness, and art co-exist
The Sistine Chapel, built in 1473, is well-known for its arts. The first interior decorations date back to 1481. Its initial frescoes were painted by the Italian artist Perugino, followed by collaborations among some of Florence's most celebrated artists, including Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli, and Cosimo Rosselli, who worked alongside artists already established in Rome, such as Pinturicchio, Bartolomeo della Gatta, and Piero di Cosimo.
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Michelangelo Buonarroti, an Italian sculptor and painter, completely decorated the Sistine Chapel's ceiling as requested by Pope Julius II.
The Apostolic Palace is not just known for its art. It is also where the Conclave, the assembly that elects the new Pope, takes place in the event of the Pope's death or resignation for personal reasons.
The term "conclave" originates from the Latin "with a key," underscoring the locked doors that seal the cardinals inside. Isolated from the outside world, the men chosen to vote are guided by prayer and the belief that "the Holy Spirit will lead them to the right decision."
The last Conclave was held in 2013, when Cardinal Bergoglio, Pope Francis, was elected following Benedict XVI's resignation.
The Sistine Chapel ceiling
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The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, painted by Michaelangelo, measures almost 500 square meters. The paintings used a method called fresco, in which paint is applied to wet plaster.
The main pictures in the center show stories from the Bible's Book of Genesis. These include the story of God's creation of the world, Adam and Eve's disobedience to God, and the events that followed Noah's Flood.
On both sides of these main scenes are large paintings of prophets and sibyls. These people were believed to have predicted the coming of the Messiah. Each one sits on a large throne made to look like marble.
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In the curved parts of the ceiling, known as lunettes, Michelangelo painted the ancestors of Jesus and scenes depicting the suffering of the Jewish people. Altogether, Michelangelo painted more than 300 figures on the ceiling.
The Last Judgment
About 30 years after painting the ceiling, Michelangelo painted another famous fresco called "The Last Judgment." This large painting is on the wall behind the altar in the Sistine Chapel. Pope Clement VII requested the work, but he passed away before it was finished.
In this painting, Michelangelo depicts the moment of the Apocalypse, when the world comes to an end and Judgment Day occurs. This is the time when angels blow their trumpets to wake the dead. Jesus Christ brings the good people (the righteous) up to Heaven and sends the bad people (the damned) down to Hell.
The focal point of the painting is Jesus, accompanied by his mother, Mary. Gathered around them are many biblical figures, including prophets, apostles, saints, patriarchs, and the sibyls, the prophetic women of the ancient world.
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Michelangelo's "The Last Judgment" was not without its critics. Notably, Cardinal Carafa accused the artist of immorality and indecency for depicting nude figures with exposed genitalia.
As a result, a group initiated a censorship campaign to conceal the parts they deemed inappropriate. This was called the "campaign of fig leaves," since they used painted cloth or leaves to conceal nudity.
Daniele da Volterra was asked to paint over the "offensive" parts. However, thanks to restoration work, those changes have now been removed, and people can once again see Michelangelo's fresco as he originally painted it.
How to visit the Sistine Chapel
Access to the Sistine Chapel is only available through the Vatican Museums, as it is incorporated within the museum complex.
To avoid the long queues, tourists can buy tickets in advance through the official Vatican Museums website. While on-site ticket purchase is an option, long lines are common, especially during peak travel periods.
Fast-track tickets are priced between €40 (P2,580) to €55 (P3,547). The visit lasts approximately three hours, depending on how long guests choose to stay.
The guided tours and audio guides are available in Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Russian, and Portuguese.
If a physical visit to the Vatican isn't possible, a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel offers an alternative.
