Raphael Rooms, Renaissance fresco cycle in Vatican Museums, Vatican City
Description
The Raphael Rooms are four interconnected halls on the second floor of the Apostolic Palace, their walls and ceilings entirely covered with frescoes. The chambers follow one another and form a continuous path through the papal apartments.
History
Pope Julius II commissioned Raphael in 1508 to paint these rooms after halting work by other artists already underway. Completion of the four halls stretched over more than a decade and was finished by his pupils after Raphael's death.
Culture
The Stanza della Segnatura served as the papal library and shows on its walls the four branches of human knowledge through allegorical representations. Visitors recognize in the frescoes portraits of contemporary figures dressed as ancient thinkers.
Practical
The halls lie along a fixed route within the Vatican Museums and cannot be visited individually. Climate-controlled conditions protect the wall paintings, so visitor numbers in the rooms are limited.
Did you know?
Raphael painted himself into the School of Athens fresco as an observer at the right edge of the composition. In the Stanza di Eliodoro, another wall painting shows contemporary Swiss Guards in their period dress.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Vatican City).
Photo license: CC0
Sistine Chapel
178 m
The Last Judgment
203 m
Apostolic Palace
0 m
Saint Peter's Square
174 m
Vatican obelisk
157 m
Restoration of the Sistine Chapel frescoes
173 m
Cortile del Belvedere
151 m
Borgia Apartment
119 m
Gallery of Maps
151 m
Cappella Paolina
177 m
Sala Regia
166 m
Niccoline Chapel
149 m
Bronze door of the Apostolic Palace
102 m
The Vision of Constantine
155 m
Sant'Anna dei Palafrenieri
109 m
Vatican loggias
0 m
San Pellegrino in Vaticano
156 m
Museo del tesoro di San Pietro
158 m
Belvedere Villa
152 m
Collection of Modern Religious Art, Vatican Museums
119 m
Saints Martin and Sebastian of the Swiss
39 m
Santa Maria in Turri
186 m
Fontana delle Tiare
125 m
Fountain
192 m
Fountain
82 m
Fountain
82 m
Fountain
148 m
Fountain
162 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes