Enjoy a complete 6 hour private tour experience to discover the ancient Pope’s Residence and be inspired by one of the most important art collection in the world and the masterpieces of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Meet our guide just outside the main entrance of Castel Sant’Angelo. In its ancient walls Castel Saint Angelo enshrines a lifelong history dating back to emperor Adrian who built his tomb here. Pope Paul III of the Farnese dinasty later turned the tomb into a fortress and political residence. This unique must-see site is worth exploring solo or with your partner or with your whole family. Plunge into its history thanks to our professional guide. Once you are inside you will see how this Castel changed along with Rome. As well as a mausoleum, it's also been a palace, a fortress, a prison, and the dramatic setting for Puccini's opera Tosca. The downstairs is cold and cramped, but the upper floors are a whole different story. Check out the lavish Renaissance interiors (look up for the murals!), and the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo with its collection of art and military memorabilia.
After the visit at the Castle you will reach Vatican Museums by walks. Just outside the Castle you admire the wonderful Ponte degli Angeli (the Angels' Bridge) with its adorning 10 huge statues of angels sculpted by Gian Lorenzo Bernini! The stroll till Vatican Museums is approx 15 minutes, but it is really pleasant walk along the famous “Passetto” (the ancient elevated passage used by the Popes to from Vatican City to the Castle) and the typical medieval district of Borgo Pio.
Once arrived at the Vatican Museums, with our skip the line ticket you will be quickly inside its immense collection built up by the Popes throughout the centuries. On top of this tour experience, you will visit the most famous rooms of the Museums, from the Pinecone Courtyard to the Gallery of Tapestries, the Gallery of the Maps and the Gallery of the Candelabra. But our extended itinerary include salso a full immersion to the Raphael Rooms, a real icon of art which can not be missed!
The highlight of our visit is undoubetely the Sistine Chapel. Our expert guide will offer eye-opening insight this magnificent Michelangelo’s masterpieces. Before entering the Sistine Chapel, your guide will have told you all the stories behind the creation of these iconic frescoes as well as what they mean. When you enter, you will then be able to appreciate the full majesty of the room, spotting the little details and quirks that most visitors miss.
From the Museum you will exit directly into St Peter’s Basilica, the most important Christian Church in the world, heart of the Catholic religion, where you will admire, among others, Michelangelo’s masterpiece La Pietà and the impressive Baldachin Altar by Bernini.
Tour ends in the suggestive St Peter’s Square, dominated by Michelangelo’s imposing Cupola and surrounded by the famous Bernini’s double Colonnade. You can also ask your guide to stay inside the Basilica to continue the visit on your own and take advantage of the opportunity to buy the ticket to climb the imposing Basilica’s dome if there is not too much line.