The Keys to the Vatican

Vatican Museums private visit with sections normally closed to the public: Your guide will take you through some of the off-limits areas of the Vatican Museums. The visit explores The Upper Galleries (Candelabra, Tapestries, Maps), the Raphael Rooms, and the Sistine Chapel. The Renaissance and Baroque art you will witness inside is exemplary. The Private tour also includes access to the following sections normally closed to the public: the Bramante Staircase, the Cabinet of Masks, and the Chapel of Nicholas V. At the end of the visit, you will have after-hours access to the Sistine Chapel for around 45 minutes. Papal Audience: Papal Audience takes place on Wednesdays in St Peter’s Square. The Wednesday General Audience starts at 09:30 however, the Holy Father begins his tour among the various sections at 09:00. Therefore, it is recommended to arrive at 08:45, taking into account the time necessary to pass security (metal detectors). Private entrance to the Vatican Library and the Secret Archives: Meet your guide at a private entrance to access the Apostolic Library, one of the oldest libraries in the world. This incredible collection of historical texts, some printed before 1501, is a tangible link to over two millennia of history. Alongside it are the Secret Archives, where all of the acts promulgated by the Holy See are kept. Consult ancient books and prints during this exclusive sneak peek at over 50 linear miles of historical treasures. Private Mass in a chapel within the Vatican Grottoes: Attend Holy Mass performed by a pre-eminent representative of the Vatican. The liturgy, accompanied by polyphonic music by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina and Domenico Bartolucci, is a deeply spiritual experience.