THE VATICAN CITY (Vatican Museums, Raphael Rooms, Sistine Chapel-St. Peter's Basilica).

Vatican city is an independent state governed by the pope. Visit starts with the Vatican Museums.

The museums were established to house one of the most important collections in the world, from ancient art (Egyptian, Etruscan, Greek, Roman) to contemporary, religious as well profane.

Our itinerary will focus on the works of two of the greatest masters of the Renaissance: Raphael who painted the awesome "Stanze" for pope Julius II and Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel.

After the Vatican museums our guided visit continues in St. Peter's Basilica: the magnificent shrine built to contain the tomb of the apostle. It took more than a century to built it and its greatness is not only physical but especially spiritual: with its many altars, papal tombs, and relics it is imbued of holiness. Amongst the many works of art Michelangelo's Pietà, and the Bernini's canopy are not be missed.

Visit ends in S. Peter's square: this is where the pope gives his blessing to the faithful and where the papal audience takes place in summertime, a meeting point for pilgrims from all over the world.