Some numbers about the Vatican Museums

Statistics and numbers you didn't know about the Vatican Museums

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The Vatican Museums are not only a must-see for anyone visiting Rome, they are also one of the most important places of art and culture in the world. With a history dating back over 500 years, these museums house one of the largest and richest art collections on the planet, attracting millions of visitors every year. But in addition to the masterpieces they house, the Vatican Museums hide a number of fascinating numbers and curiosities that tell of their global impact and the incredible breadth of their collections.

7 kilometres of tunnels

The collections of the Vatican Museums stretch over 7 kilometres of corridors and galleries, making it almost impossible to visit everything in one day. It is said that it would take at least four days to see everything at leisure.

70 thousand works and 1400 rooms

The Vatican Museums are home to more than 70,000 works of art, although only a fraction are on display. These include masterpieces by Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Caravaggio.

The galleries and rooms of the Vatican Museums are spread over more than 1,400 rooms, including the famous Raphael Rooms, which contain extraordinary frescoes by the great Renaissance master.

The Sistine Chapel is over 500 years old

The Sistine Chapel, one of the main attractions of the Vatican Museums, was completed in 1481. Its ceiling, frescoed by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, is considered one of the greatest artistic masterpieces in the history of mankind.

More than 20,000 visitors per day

During the peak tourist season, the Vatican Museums can receive more than 20,000 visitors in a single day. This makes visits quite crowded, especially in the most famous areas such as the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms.

More than 100 nationalities among the visitors

Every year, the Vatican Museums welcome visitors from over 100 countries. Among the most numerous visitors are Americans, Italians, French, Spanish, Germans and Chinese.

1,200 pieces of art restored each year

One of the main objectives of the Vatican Museums is the conservation of their works. Every year, around 1,200 pieces are restored or undergo conservation work, a fundamental process in preserving the world's artistic heritage

Over 50 exhibition galleries

The Vatican Museums comprise more than 50 thematic galleries or sections, each dedicated to specific historical periods, geographical regions or types of art. Among the best known are the Vatican Picture Gallery, the Pio-Clementine Museum and the Gregorian Etruscan Museum.

The Prophets

The ceiling also depicts the biblical prophets, including Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Daniel. Each prophet is depicted with an expression and posture that reflect his personality and his role as a bearer of divine messages. Michelangelo used a strong contrast between light and shadow to accentuate the dramatic nature of the figures and their gestures. Prophets are often portrayed with books and scrolls symbolising their prophecies and their mission to communicate the word of God.