Sala Regia

Sala Regia is a grand reception hall in the Apostolic Palace featuring a barrel vault ceiling adorned with plaster decorations and ornate stucco doors. The space connects multiple important areas of the Vatican, including the Sistine Chapel, the Pauline Chapel, and the Scala Regia staircase.

Construction of this ceremonial hall started under Pope Paul III and finished in 1573 with architect Antonio da Sangallo the Younger overseeing the project. This period coincided with major shifts in Vatican architecture, marking a transition between Late Renaissance and Mannerism styles.

Frescoes on the walls depict significant moments in Catholic history, including the Battle of Lepanto and Pope Gregory XI's return from Avignon to Rome. These images tell stories that hold deep meaning for the Church and invite visitors to reflect on its past.

Access to this hall is through controlled Vatican routes and passage between different papal areas is possible depending on availability. Visitors should be aware that the space may sometimes be restricted for private ceremonies or official functions.

Cardinals traditionally walk through this space as a promenade during conclaves, where they gather before crucial decisions. Until 2016, the hall also hosted consistories before these formal gatherings moved to Saint Peter's Basilica.