Rules for visiting the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Lena, is it true that the queue for entry is always very long here? Perhaps there are “happy days” when it can be avoided? Rules for visiting the Vatican Museum

The Vatican is the smallest sovereign state in the world. It was once part of Rome but declared independence in 1929. The Vatican is the headquarters of the Holy Roman Church with fewer than 1,000 citizens. Inside its walls you will find a huge collection of artistic and religious artifacts and rich traditions. If you want to visit the Vatican and see sights like the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, then you need to plan ahead. The Vatican Museums are in need of refurbishment, and walking around the city can seem confusing at first. Find out how to visit the Vatican.

Steps

Planning for the future

Plan your trip to see the Pope's apartments. This will require advance planning as the Pope only speaks on Wednesdays and Sundays. To receive his blessing on Sunday, you will have to arrive there well before noon to borrow a good place and see him in a crowded square.

You can book tickets to see it on Wednesday if you come between September and July. Go to vatican.va to fill out the form. Please fax it to the number on the form.

Find out which attractions in the Vatican are free and which require registration. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel cost about 15 euros ($19, £12), while a visit to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica costs about 6 euros ($6.4, £4.8). The Cathedral and St. Peter's Square are free.
- Passes to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are combined. You cannot buy a ticket to one of these places.
Book your tickets in advance to see the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, especially if you are traveling during religious holidays and during the summer. You won't waste time waiting at the gate. However, you will not be able to receive a discount or student ID in advance unless you tourist group that does it for you.
- Go to the website biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?weblang=en&do to book these tickets.
Book an official guide to tour the Vatican Museums and more. Italy has a very strict rule that only licensed guides allow tours of this area, so be sure to ask for a license before booking. There is a huge wealth of art and information within the walls of the Vatican, so this place is well worth paying a guide.
- Visit mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Servizi_Visite.html for a description of the various tours you can choose from. There is a link on the page button where you can book excursions with a group or individual.
Dress appropriately. The Vatican has its own dress code. Make sure your knees and shoulders are covered. Also, some people wear long skirts and shirts as a sign of respect.
- Both men and women will not be allowed to visit unless their shoulders and knees are covered. This means that tops, summer dresses and short shorts will not work. Women can change their outfit by bringing a shawl and tights.
- Italy and the Vatican are very hot in summer and can be rainy in winter. Wear lightweight clothing that dries quickly. This will help you when you need to cover up while traveling.
- Put on walking shoes. Many people spend the whole day on their feet in the Vatican. Prepare to be comfortable in these conditions and when you are standing in line.
Take a small bag. Large bags, backpacks and umbrellas will be checked before entering the Vatican Museums. This can be a lot of trouble if you want to freely enter the walls of the Vatican. Therefore, leave most of your belongings at the hotel.

Be prepared for pickpocketing. For several years, most of the petty thefts were committed in front of Michelangelo's Pieta, in St. Peter's Basilica. Always keep your small bag in front of you with your hand on it.
- Never wear flashy jewelry or a lot of cash. Men's back pocket wallets are especially popular with pickpockets. Buy a money belt and tuck it into your shirt if you want extra security.
Transportation in the Vatican
1. Use the metro to get to the Vatican. You will have to walk a bit if you decide to use this method. The Vatican is located between Ottaviano and Cipro metro stations.
  - If you're heading straight for the Vatican Museums, the Cipro metro station is closer. If you are heading to St. Peter's Basilica, then from the Ottaviano station you will get there faster.
2. Buy a bus route map from the store. There are about 10 routes that pass around the Vatican. The choice of route depends on where you are in Rome.
3. Drive to the north entrance to enter the Vatican Museums. Arrive at the east entrance to enter St. Peter's Basilica. Since the Vatican is surrounded by a wall, the passage from one entrance to another can take about 30 minutes.
  - Get a map of Rome to make sure you're on the right route.
  Vatican Museums
  1. Take your time when visiting the Vatican Museums. While most people know about the Sistine Chapel, there is still a lot to see on your way through the museums towards the chapel.
    - Use the restroom before entering the museums. There will be few places ahead where you can use it during the exploration.
    - Take your camera with you to take pictures in the museums. Taking pictures is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, but you will be able to take pictures in many other places. You will see special signs on which it will be written where it is allowed to use the flash.
    - Spend more time at the Pinakothek. It is located to the right of the entrance to the escalator. Lots of people avoid this place because it's in opposite side from the Sistine Chapel, but the Italians consider the collection of Raphael, Da Vinci and Caravaggio a real treasure.

Many probably know that the Vatican is the most small state in the world. However, not everyone knows the local rules and regulations, and therefore very often our tourists get into a mess. That is why we decided to prepare tips that will help you avoid all sorts of mishaps during the tour and make your trip comfortable.

When is the best time to go to the Vatican?

Separately, no one goes to the Vatican and a visit to the country is always included in a tour of Rome. If you are planning a trip to the capital of Italy, then we would recommend that you choose a travel date in late spring or early autumn. All because at this time much fewer tourists than in summer, and the temperature is the most comfortable for excursions and you can walk at least all day.

How to get to the Vatican?

There are different ways to get to the Vatican. You can take the subway, bus or even walk.

Buses 40 and 64 run from Rome Termini Station to the Vatican.
If you prefer the metro, then you need to take the line A train to the Ottavio - San Pietro station, which will take you to St. Peter's Basilica, or to the Cipro station, which leads to the Vatican Museums.
Well, of course, if you have time, you can walk to the Vatican on foot. Via Nazionale leads here from Termini Station. Or there is another route - from Piazza Venezia along Via Plebeshchita, Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via della Concigliazione.

Not one of the Vatican Museums you will not be able to enter if you are not properly dressed. Knees and shoulders must be covered, no one will let you in shorts and a T-shirt.
You can get into any museum only with a guide consisting of excursion group. Be sure to check that the guide has a license.
Before entering, an audio guide is distributed, which is included in the ticket price, do not forget to take it.
In each particular museum, be sure to specify whether you can take pictures or not. For example, in the Sistine Chapel it is strictly prohibited, and in St. Peter's Cathedral it is allowed, but only without a flash.
You can't talk in the Sistine Chapel, even in a whisper.
On a tour of the Vatican, it is better to lay a whole day, and ideally even a few.
The Vatican Museums are not allowed with alcoholic drinks, large umbrellas, suitcases and backpacks.
Every last Sunday of the month and September 27, admission to the Vatican Museums is free.

The Vatican has always been mysterious to me and significant place. Very often we perceive it as one of the sights of Rome, sometimes not thinking about the fact that this is a whole state with its own laws and rules, legends and history. One of the largest museums in the world is located here and is important for everything. Catholic world Saint Paul's Cathedral.

About the Vatican State itself, as well as how best to plan a visit to it and the Vatican Museums, what to look for and how to make your stay here comfortable, I decided to ask the creator and ideological inspirer of the project about Rome @sognare_roma wonderful Lena.

Lena, hello! Please tell us a little about yourself)

Hello! My name is Lena, I am from St. Petersburg, I have been living in Rome for 10 years. I came here after graduation international relations St Petersburg University to enter the second higher education at the University of Rome "La Sapienza". Now I have two diplomas and a license to guide Rome. Also, I am an employee of the Vatican Museums and a guide to the Holy See.

While studying at the guide courses, I met my "co-pilot", partner and friend Marina, an art historian from Moscow. I already had the idea to create a club in my head unusual excursions, those that do not provide for classic routes for tourists. Marina supported me, and now we are working together at Sonjar Roma. It means "to dream of Rome", which is very well conveys our idea - to show Rome as we see it from the inside, as if walking around the city with dear friends. Our task is to make you fall in love with this city the way it once happened to us. We remember this feeling very well! Therefore, our motto is we do not sell services, but give emotions.

Together with us in the team is the most talented photographer Katya, as well as other guides, sommeliers and experts in Rome.

We constantly come up with new routes and try to diversify museum excursions. And on Instagram @sognare_roma I collect the most unusual Roman stories and hidden corners of Rome, which are not written about in guidebooks.

When planning a visit to the Vatican Museums, what you need to know. Is there some basic list of rules to follow?

When going to the Vatican, many do not always have a good idea of what it consists of. The Vatican is a state surrounded by a wall. On its territory there is St. Peter's Cathedral, administrative buildings, gardens and museums of the Vatican (including the Sistine Chapel). As a rule, when we intend to “visit the Vatican”, we mean the first or the last, because it is there that everyone can freely get there. Entrance to the cathedral is free, and to museums it is enough to buy a ticket.

My first advice is to buy your ticket in advance on the Vatican website. Firstly, you will avoid long queues to the museum, and secondly, you will not fall for the bait of street promoters who will try to sell you more expensively as a “skip the line” along with a group tour. Activities of such persons last years teetering on the brink of illegality, the city authorities now ban it, then turn a blind eye. Arriving at the Vatican, you will literally have to wade through the crowd of sellers of excursion services attacking you. How does the circuit work? Under the guise of free information, they are trying to lure you into their neighborhood offices in order to join their group of random passers-by. Many promoters offer guided tours in Russian. Please note that the promoter is not a guide, but only a street agent. Further, when a group is recruited, a guide appears and leads the group to the museum. In general, there is nothing criminal in this system. If you ended up at the museum unprepared, didn’t buy a ticket in advance, and the line already threatens with hours of waiting, their help will allow you to get to the museum quickly and with a simplified group tour. Unless, of course, you wait at the agency until the group is gathered, as long as you wait in line to enter the museum. In any case, the ticket + excursion package will not be the most advantageous in terms of price. When there are several people, it is cheaper and more pleasant to take an individual guide who will give you a tour according to your wishes and interests. In the case of street agencies, if you are lucky, you will enjoy the tour, although it is unlikely to be developed. Such a guide should be held as soon as possible more groups per day, and he simply does not have time for details. The very best guides in Rome have such a flood of requests for weeks ahead that it is not profitable for them to work for street agencies through promoters. Therefore, if you are looking for quality services and good tour- Get it done ahead of time.

As for the rules in the museum, they are quite simple. The dress code "covered shoulders and knees" is necessary not only for the museum, but for the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Cathedral. Photography is allowed inside the museum without a flash, in the cathedral it does not matter. The only strict exception is no photos or videos in the Sistine Chapel , the guards are watching. If they notice you trying to photograph something, you can run into trouble. Loud conversations and explanations of the guide in the chapel are also prohibited. Just relax and enjoy the beauty, no photo will convey it like your eyes when you are inside this treasure!

Lena, is it true that the queue for entry is always very long here? Perhaps there are “happy days” when it can be avoided?

The queue is an unpredictable phenomenon, but it is more likely to be there than not. It is always better to play it safe and buy tickets in advance. It may happen that the queue appears at a time when it is not expected. It happens that it is raining and there is a traffic jam at the security control at the entrance. Or on a certain day, just an unforeseen influx of visitors.

But there are still some patterns. For example, unlike other museums in the world ,The Vatican is closed on Sunday but is open on Monday . That is why on Monday you can expect more visitors here. Saturday is also a difficult day, because the Romans themselves join the tourists. During the week, I would not recommend going to the Vatican on Wednesday: in the morning it will not be possible to get from the museum to the cathedral because of the Papal audience in the square, and after it is over, everyone will rush to the museum. It turns out that the most successful days to visit are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I will add - in the afternoon. Many travelers "do" excursion program in the morning to rest and walk in a relaxed mode in the afternoon. Therefore, in the mornings in the Vatican there are always crowds. Come after 2.30 pm and you will find the museum half empty. Entrance is open until 4 pm, but you can stay in the museum until 6 pm, in the Sistine Chapel until 5.30 pm, and in the cathedral until 6.30 pm – 7 pm. There will be enough time for everything, but the impression will be completely different. From May to October, I always advise you to come to the museum on Friday evenings from 19 to 22, when it is specially opened.

Do not underestimate the time of your visit to the Vatican, because your experience largely depends on the comfortable environment. IN high season 15,000 to 30,000 people visit the museum every day. In the heat, it's like being tortured by the Moscow metro during rush hour, trying to get through the crowds in the narrow galleries. Choose less frequented hours!

The Vatican Museums have dozens of halls, each of which is of interest to visitors. It seems to me that there is a high probability of simply drowning in a sea of information and an abundance of beauty around. To avoid such a situation, can you advise how best to plan a visit?

The Vatican really has a lot of different collections, which is why the "Vatican Museums" are pronounced in the plural. It is simply impossible to cover them all in one visit, even if you spend the whole day in the Vatican. Therefore, the most the best option– get acquainted with the main route during the first visit, and on the next visit, leave time for other departments. At the box office, along with the ticket, you can take a map of the museum.

In any case, the Vatican is an easy museum in terms of the itinerary. Usually everyone is interested in looking at Sistine Chapel . Since it is located at the far end of the museum, you will have to go through the long gallery on the second floor where the most famous halls are located. Next, you can decide if you want to lengthen the route by looking at archaeological department or rooms painted by Raphael . After the Sistine Chapel, you have two options. The left door from the chapel will lead back to the museum, from where you can go through a long gallery to the exit. The right one will allow you to immediately be at the entrance to St. Peter's Cathedral . I always use the second option as I end my tours at the cathedral. If it is included in your program, then you will save a lot of time. Otherwise, you will have to go around the outside of the Vatican wall and waste time on a new control in the square, which can take an extra hour.

Even if you don't usually go on excursions, the Vatican I always recommend the help of a guide or at least an audio guide . Of course, you won’t get lost anyway, because the entire flow of visitors usually moves in one direction, but there is a big risk of passing by the most interesting masterpieces and not noticing them.

What if I am traveling with a child? Are there any options for interactive tours for children? maybe there is a shorter route? What can you suggest?

For children from 5 to 12 years old, museums have a special audio guide and a children's card . The itinerary remains the same, but the stories are adapted for younger visitors to keep them interested. True, this option is not yet available in Russian.

I often happen to lead excursions for families with children. If parents want the excursion to please the child first of all, then it is necessary to focus only on him, leaving the idea of covering the entire museum in a few hours. Children get tired faster, so the visit may be somewhat shorter and not include all the mandatory items of the "adult" program. For example, kids are very interested in the Egyptian Museum where we rarely go on traditional excursions.

Also, we look into the hall with animal statues (marble zoo) and pavilion with real papal carriages and cars . Children are interested in solving riddles, they pay attention to something else and perceive jokes differently, so the emphasis on the tour, of course, shifts. It is important not to bore them with dates and names, but to turn a visit to the museum into exciting game not only to have a good time, but also to remember something.

Can you name three things you should definitely see in the Vatican Museums?

First of all, of course Sistine Chapel . She needs no comment, and thousands of tourists who come to museums every day know about it. For many, the chapel is the main goal in the museum, and perhaps if it could be accessed from the cathedral, the museums would be half empty.

But I always tell my guests: those who worked in the Sistine Chapel or were involved in other projects of the Vatican - Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini - were inspired by the museum's collections. No visit Pio Clementine Museum it is impossible to understand why the figures of people in the paintings of Michelangelo are so muscular, and where the poet Homer from the paintings of Raphael got the face of the statue of an ancient priest. All this is a school for the Vatican geniuses, their models . Therefore, in museums, you can’t miss the ancient collection of masterpieces. Laocoon group, Belvedere torso, Roman copy of Apollo Belvedere… Not to mention that from the windows of the palace opens beautiful view to the city.

I will also mention my favorite gallery geographical maps , created by order of Pope Gregory XIII at the end of the 16th century. This is the same Pope, thanks to whom we live according to the new Gregorian calendar!

The gallery is so beautiful that even at the entrance, visitors groan in surprise - “is this already the Sistine Chapel”? Luxurious ceiling and walls decorated with 500-year-old fresco maps. Here you can see Italian and (now) foreign lands and seas in an era when there were no planes and satellites.

And yet, the accuracy of the frescoes is amazing. Here you can spend hours looking at the cities from a bird's eye view and looking for all the points from your travels in Italy.

Being in museums, we are on the territory of the Vatican State. Right? Can you tell us a little about his life? Usually this is not written in guidebooks.

You could write a whole book about it! I'm afraid I won't have enough of a small paragraph 🙂
When I first entered the territory of the Vatican, passing through the service entrance, I felt like Alice in Wonderland. Here, most of the cars had different numbers (SCV is an abbreviation on Vatican cars), I was surrounded by priests and nuns, gendarmes in colored Smarts and Swiss guards. Everyone was in a hurry to do their own thing. papal palace towered before the eyes unusual angle, which tourists do not see from the square.

The Vatican is a state, with all the necessary attributes. There are offices, a barracks, shops, a post office, a first-aid post, gas stations, Railway, helipad and much more. I was surprised to learn that prices in the Vatican supermarket and shopping center are 20-30% lower than in Italy - like in duty free, we are abroad! True, only employees, citizens and members of the diplomatic corps can get here. Myself shopping mall located in the old station building, where it is very unusual to see mannequins with Armani suits or a department with refrigerators and TVs in historical interiors.

There are few citizens of the Vatican, just over 600 people. , but not everyone is eligible for a Vatican passport for life. Most of all in the territory of the state it is employees who are not citizens.

Not everyone knows that the territory of the Vatican is not limited to a small patch of 44 hectares on the right bank of the Tiber. In addition to numerous palaces, the Pope has a "dacha" - a residence in Castel Gandolfo on the lake, 24 km from Rome . In size, it is even larger than the Vatican itself. Despite the fact that the current Pope Francis does not spend his holidays there, the benefits of this residence are undeniable. Daily Farm Castel Gandolfo (Ville Pontificie) supplies the Vatican and all its inhabitants with fresh milk, cheeses, yoghurts and eggs. They can be bought in the Vatican supermarket for employees. The farm has olive groves that produce the highest quality olive oil. The Pope also has donkeys and even an ostrich. Nothing threatens him, he just shares the paddock with his four-legged neighbors - these are all gifts to the Popes. At the same time, all agricultural production is carried out exclusively in a "Christian" way - without machines and chemical fertilizers, instead of them manure from the stables is used.

And in the Vatican Gardens there is also a small garden, which is looked after by the nuns. . From here, lettuce, legumes, artichokes and citruses come to Pape's table. From the Vatican lemons and oranges, the nuns make jam according to old Benedictine recipes.
I can continue for a very long time 🙂 On excursions in the Vatican, I always show our guests my photos taken “behind the scenes” - with the Papal cows, the Pope's palace, costumes, cars and much more.

As far as I know, there are many interesting stories and legends associated with the history of the Vatican. Can you tell us one of your favorites?

There are really a lot of legends, I don’t even know which one to choose.

For example, wonderful story about the elephant . I am very touched by stories about pets of the pontiffs. Maybe because it reveals their simple human nature.
At the beginning of the 16th century, the Medici Pope Leo X had an albino elephant, Annon. It was presented as a gift to the pontiff by King Manuel of Avisa of Portugal. The elephant, in turn, came to the king from India along with another rare animal - the rhinoceros. The rumor about outlandish creatures quickly spread throughout Europe. Both the king and sent to the Pope on the occasion of accession to the throne. The ship with the rhinoceros was caught in a storm and sank along with the precious gift. And the elephant made it to Rome safe and sound. Papa Leo was delighted. Upon the arrival of Annon (the Pope named him after the general of the army Hannibal), a solemn procession was arranged, during which, in front of an astonished crowd, leopards, panthers, rare turkeys and special breeds of horses were led through the streets along with the elephant. The hero of the occasion, Annon, marched with dignity, carrying on his back a canopy with gifts and jewels for the Pope. Approaching the throne of Leo X, the elephant fell on his knee in greeting, and then, obeying the instructions of the trainer, scooped up water from the trough with his trunk and doused all the cardinals and ordinary people with a cold shower.
The pope fell in love with his pet so much that he ordered the construction of a stall for him in the Belvedere courtyard, and every time he made him an honorary participant in Roman processions. The townspeople did not get tired of admiring the treasure, marveling at his obedience and intelligence. The elephant had his own servant and doctor at the court.
True, Anton's age turned out to be short-lived, despite the love of the entire Papal court. Apparently, the climate of Rome turned out to be too damp for him, and in the winter of 1516 Annon fell seriously ill with a sore throat, against which even the drugs of a personal doctor were powerless - the elephant died. Papa could not find a place for himself from grief, ordering to bury his beloved pet in the garden. In memory of him, he commissioned the genius Rafael Santi for a painting depicting Annona, which, unfortunately, has not come down to us. But white elephant still immortalized more than once in painting and sculpture. It can still be seen in the Vatican - on the door leaf personal account Leo X in the stanzas (rooms) of Raphael's work has a relief with an elephant.

Now the Popes have much more modest pets. For example, the "retired" Pope Benedict XVI is a well-known cat person, and now he has two cats living in the Vatican - the Countess and Zorro.

The website of the Vatican says that visiting is possible every day from 8 to 19. Are there any important holidays when it is impossible to get there?

In fact, it's not a very accurate clock. The museum opens for entry at 8, but only some agencies that have an agreement with the Vatican, and those who purchase the “breakfast at the museum” service on the website of the Vatican Museums, get there in the first hour. Ordinary visitors enter from 9 am to 4 pm. You can stay inside the museum until 6 pm.

The museum is closed on major church holidays Catholic calendar, there are 10 of them in a year. In order not to accidentally fall into one of them, check the museum calendar at this year which is on his website. Also, I do not recommend visiting the museum on the days before and immediately after such holidays - usually there are always a lot of people.

It is impossible to be in the Vatican and not go to St. Peter's Basilica. What would you advise to pay attention to while being here?

The cathedral makes an incredible impression on everyone who happens to be here, if only because of the size! In addition to the obvious - marble, statues, mosaics - admire some masterpieces. For example, in the first chapel on the right there is a statue of "Lamentation" (Pietà) by the young Michelangelo - it was she who brought him fame and orders in Rome. This is an amazing combination of tenderness, skill and deep meaning, which can be seen in detail.

There is another interesting statue, it is located in the far chapel of the left nave. This monument to Pope Alexander VII Chigi by Bernini . The sculptor skillfully conveys the folds of a huge canvas of Sicilian jasper, as if it were a real fabric. She hides the floating figure of death in the form of a winged skeleton. But there are still many secrets in the design of the monument!

If you are lucky be in St. Peter's Cathedral on a sunny summer day at the hour of the evening mass (beginning at 17) , then you will hear not only the divine sounds of the organ and choir, but also become witnesses of an amazing spectacle. The rays of the sun pouring from the windows under the dome turn into vertical spotlights, illuminating the canopy of the altar. It's indescribably beautiful!

While preparing the article, I found information that, according to tradition, in Rome it is impossible to build buildings that would be higher than the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. This is true?

You correctly noted that such a tradition exists in Rome. But the point is that it is just a tradition, without any written prohibitions and instructions. This was emphasized even by the experts of the Vatican archive in an interview with the press. There are no legal acts specifying maximum height buildings eligible for construction in Rome. Nevertheless, already from the end of the 19th century, when the issue of a new development of the city became more acute than ever, urban planning projects were adopted that prescribed moderation in building to guarantee a harmonious appearance. historical center. Again, no numbers appear here.

Even in the Lateran Accords, which approved the status of the state of the Vatican, signed between Italy and the Holy See in 1929, this was not directly mentioned. But the Romans are very fond of legends, even if they go against historical facts and common sense. Perhaps someone really wanted to prove to the world that the Vatican needed to “grab the last straw” and prove its superiority in the form of high building, even if there is nothing left of his former political power. It is not surprising that the story was liked and taken root by the people. To such an extent that another one arose in its place at the time of the construction of a mosque in Rome in 1980-90. Roman rumor claimed that the architect Paolo Portoghesi was forced to reduce the height of the minaret, originally envisaged in the project, so as not to exceed the Vatican dome and not cause religious scandals. It is also nothing more than someone's fantasy. In any case, if the architect was planning a different height, and someone influenced him, we will never know about it 🙂

The most lively controversy on the topic of the mythical ban broke out in the press about six years ago. when the mayor of Alemanno was still in power. He promoted the project of new development of sleeping areas and proposed to build skyscrapers there. It was then that the Romans remembered again that their urban tradition was nothing more than a legend. However, not a single high-rise building in the city has yet been built, despite projects and rumors.

Do not forget that in Rome there is a small, but seismic risk. There have been no strong earthquakes here for two centuries. As a rule, the epicenter is located not in Rome, but in neighboring areas, but the city can also get it. For example, thanks to the earthquakes of the 14th and 18th centuries, medieval towers, church bell towers and an impressive part of the Colosseum. Therefore, urban plans should take into account not only new technologies, but also the height of buildings.

Lena, is it possible to understand when the Pope is in the Vatican or is he away? For example, you can always tell by the flag at Buckingham Palace whether the queen is at home or not. Is there something similar in the Vatican?

No, there is no such tradition in the Vatican. Usually, if the Pope is not in Rome, some weekly events are cancelled. For example, an audience on the square on Wednesdays. The pontiff reads the Sunday sermon on his travels or in summer palace Castel Gandolfo, if he is there. When Pope Benedict XVI was, he lived in the Apostolic Palace, whose windows overlook the square. In the evenings, one could see a light on in his bedroom window. The current Pope Francis lives in a different residence, which is not visible because of the walls of the Vatican. But there are no other signs of the presence of the Pope in the Vatican.

And finally, can you tell us when is the best time to come to Rome?

From what point of view! If you want to see museums without crowds and rush, come to end of January when the winter holidays are over, in February, early March or late November . This is the lowest tourist season, which means that hordes with cruise liners and numerous groups. But here we must hope for good weather. Warm sunny winters happen in Rome, when the temperature stays at around +15, and there is no rain at all. But you may not be lucky, you will end up on a rainy week when you don’t even want to leave the hotel, and the impression will be spoiled.

If there is a desire to catch pleasant weather and magnificent colors, choose autumn and spring . In Rome, there is a capacious expression "ottobrate romane", which literally means "wonderful October days", but I would simply translate it as "Indian summer". Nice weather for walking and no heat. At the end of March and April in Rome, too, the weather is wonderful, wisteria and cherry blossoms. But be sure to look at what period the Catholic Easter falls on and come before it. It is from Easter that the high season starts in Rome, when students and schoolchildren come here for vacations, pilgrims and just tourists.

Always check the weather a week before you arrive in Rome . Answer the question "what is the weather like in Rome in November/March/May?" (underline as appropriate) is simply impossible - everything can change every year.

Lena, thank you very much for the Interview and... see you in the Vatican!

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We are going to Italy for the first time, on a classic excursion, the program includes many churches and the Vatican. Of course, in early June it can be rainy and cool. But maybe you'll be lucky and it will be hot. How to dress properly for ladies, i.e. What are the clothing restrictions in Italian cathedrals? Are covered knees (breeches) and shoulders (t-shirt) enough, or do you need floor-length skirts and long sleeves? Scarves?
When visiting the Vatican - the same question.
If the uniform is strict, do they give out skirts “for hire” at the entrances to the churches, like the Orthodox?

Another question: how is the situation with permission to photograph in cathedrals and museums? Is it possible? Is it paid?

Tell me who can :)

somewhere you can take a picture, somewhere you can’t, but for denyuzhka you can. In practice, they take pictures of everything and everywhere. Even in the Sistine Chapel, although it’s forbidden to talk there :) if it’s impossible or for a fee, then they usually don’t grumble - i. do not take pictures in front of the attendant. But they still shoot. In the Cathedral of San Pietro in the Vatican, it is not forbidden to shoot - the cathedral is so huge that you can’t keep track of everyone. Museums do not need to shoot with a flash. in many churches it is useless to take pictures - it's a bit dark. I really do not understand the meaning of such photography. The plot "me and Pieta" as evidence of your entry into San Pietro? Shoot works of art or interiors as a keepsake? It is better to buy high-quality postcards of a particular person or download a professionally made "reproduction" from the Internet.

As far as clothing is concerned, general rule is as follows: breeches are allowed (knees must be clearly covered!) And bare shoulders and deep necklines for women and T-shirts for men are not allowed. A shawl thrown over the shoulders is sufficient for both sexes. You can not enter the church in a headdress. Personally, I have never seen anything given out at the entrance (Rome, Firenze, Venice), although sometimes they write about it - maybe I didn’t go there?

Before the excursion to the Vatican, we were warned to cover our shoulders, we even took a scarf for the child, she threw it on when we went there - we were in the summer and t was under 40.
As for the photo, the Sistine Chapel was not allowed to be photographed or filmed, someone managed to, but young people strictly followed this, in any case, it was like that with us. And as for Pieta - my husband took a video of me nearby - I was still at school and dreamed of seeing this sculpture, I even wrote it in my diary at that time. Therefore, everyone has their own - I do not like postcards.

When I was in St. Peter's Cathedral, they did not let a man in shorts. They don't give out clothes for "rent" in Rome, in small towns they may. Photography permission is included in the ticket price or free of charge. In some places, photography is prohibited (with a flash almost always), but people pretend not to know about it until a security guard personally comes up and forbids it.

Send your friends a ray of light from sunny Italy :)

The rules for visiting the Vatican Museums are established in order to ensure the safety of exhibits, safety, maintaining order and cleanliness. Tourists should also follow "standards of decency"- that is, dress and behave appropriately. It is better to familiarize yourself with the rules of visiting in advance, which will allow you to plan sightseeing vacation the best way.

Dress code (common for visiting museums and the cathedral)

Knees and shoulders should be covered, clothing should be without necklines and cutouts on the legs
T-shirts, shorts, miniskirts are not allowed ( beach view clothes). IN summer time ladies can take a light shawl or scarf with them to cover their shoulders, men should be strictly in pants
Hats not allowed

Bags, backpacks, suitcases, umbrellas

Before entering museums, visitors must leave backpacks, suitcases, packages, umbrellas, tripods and other oversized luggage in the cloakroom. allowable dimensions(40*35*15cm)
Wardrobe service is provided free of charge

Safety requirements

It is forbidden to carry: knives, scissors,any type of firearm
The use of laser pointers is prohibited
Smoking is prohibited throughout the museums (including electronic cigarettes)
For security reasons, there is no Wi-Fi on the territory of the museums
No pets allowed except guide dogs for blind or partially sighted visitors
All visitors are screened by a metal detector
It is forbidden to bring alcohol and food into the territory of the museums (they can be left in the cloakroom, but if not picked up at the end of the day, they will be disposed of). Museums, however, have several snack machines and a cafeteria where you can have breakfast or lunch.
It is forbidden to touch objects of art
The use of drones, including for photo and video shooting, is prohibited (this will be regarded as a violation airspace Vatican)
The territory of the museums is under video surveillance and equipped with a burglar alarm.

Documents required to visit the Vatican Museums

If you have pre-purchased a ticket for official website , prepare a printout or save it to your smartphone. E-ticket- this is not a full ticket yet, but rather a voucher that needs to be exchanged at a separate box office Cassa online e gruppi
The rules of the Vatican state that you must have an identity document with you. In practice, it is rarely asked. For children of borderline age (5-6 years old and 15-18 years old), a document or a scanned copy of it must be taken, as the ticket price depends on age

Photographing in the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica

In museums and the cathedral it is allowed to take pictures for personal use with non-professional photographic equipment and smartphones
The use of tripods is prohibited, any professional photography must be approved by the Vatican Museums
Flash photography is prohibited
It is forbidden to take pictures using a selfie stick
It is forbidden to take photographs or videotape with any type of equipment, including smartphones, in the Sistine Chapel. This is strictly monitored, and if they notice, they will be asked to immediately remove the footage.

Silence rules

Silence rules in the Sistine Chapel
Guides talk about the chapel before entering it. Inside the chapel, as in sacred place, no one, including guides, talks and silently enjoys the surrounding beauty
In the Sistine Chapel, the use of mobile phones. Gadgets must be switched to silent mode throughout the museums and in St. Peter's Basilica

Visiting policy for families with small children

Entrance for children under 6 years old to the Vatican Museums is free
You can enter the museum grounds with a stroller (but you cannot enter St. Peter's Basilica with a stroller)
The museums have special elevators that make it easier for families with children to visit, to which museum staff will guide you
Museums have a room for breastfeeding mothers. In the restaurant area for families with children - special high chairs

Visiting Rules During Mass at St. Peter's Basilica

Peter's Basilica is an active church where services are held. During the papal mass, tours of the cathedral are prohibited. Guides talk about the cathedral from the outside, but inside they just accompany the group