Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel with St. Peter’s Basilica

The tour runs inside the Vatican Museums collections, the ancient papal apartments with Raphael rooms, the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo and St. Peter Basilica.

Dressing appropriately is required to enter in the Vatican State and a dress code is strictly enforced in places such as St. Peter church.

It is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state ruled by the Bishop of Rome – the Pope. The highest state functionaries are all Catholic clergy of various national origins. Since the return of the Popes from Avignon in 1377, they have generally resided at the Apostolic Palace within what is now Vatican City, although at times residing instead in the Quirinal Palace in Rome or elsewhere.

Within Vatican City are religious and cultural sites such as St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museums. They feature some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures. The unique economy of Vatican City is supported financially by the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications.