March 24, 2023

Vatican Historical Museum

I conducted research on the Vatican Historical Museum by examining various sources, including websites like Wikiwand [1], My Adventures Across the World [2], Rome2rio [3], Vatican City Tours [4], Spotting History [5], Britannica [6], and Reddit discussions on travel [7] and museums [8]. The information provided by these sources was consistent, and they were all related to the original query. My level of uncertainty is low, given the comprehensive research conducted.

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Vatican Historical Museum Overview

The Vatican Historical Museum was founded in 1973 at the behest of Pope Paul VI and initially hosted in environments under the Square Garden [1] . It was moved to the main floor of the Apostolic Palace of the Lateran in 1987 and opened to the public in March 1991 [2] . The museum has a unique collection of portraits of the Popes from the 16th century to date [1] , memorable items of the Papal Military Corps of the 16-17th centuries, and old religious paraphernalia related to rituals of the papacy [5] . Additionally, on display on the lower floor are the papamobili (Popemobiles), carriages, and motorcars of Popes and Cardinals, including the first cars used by Popes [1] .

Visiting the Vatican Historical Museum

The museum is located in the Lateran Palace, which is next to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran [5] . It features ten halls with fresco decorations on themes of the History of Rome, episodes of the Bible, and the Gospel [5] . The exhibits are arranged into two wings: one for artistic and historical importance, and the other for the papamobili on display [5] .

Traveling to the Vatican Historical Museum

There are several transportation options to reach the Vatican Historical Museum from the Colosseum in Rome. You can take the line 85 bus, which has 847 services weekly, with a 12-minute average duration and a cheapest price of $1 [3] . Alternatively, you can take the line 8 tram, which offers 100-minute integrated tickets for $2 and 24-hour tickets for $8 [3] . The night bus also provides 100-minute integrated tickets for $2 and 24-hour tickets for $8 [3] . If you prefer a taxi, the average duration is 3 minutes, and the estimated price ranges from $7 to $10 [3] . Lastly, you can walk from the Colosseum to the Vatican Historical Museum, which is 3907 feet in distance [3] .

Tips for Visiting the Vatican Historical Museum

When visiting the Vatican Historical Museum, it is recommended to book an early morning tour starting at 7:30 am to avoid the crowds and have time to take photos [7] . You can also book the "summer night at the Vatican" special time slot, with the earliest time slot at 6:30 or 7 pm, giving you more space to explore [7] . Wearing a mask is required by law in Italy [7] , and purchasing tickets in advance or making reservations is advised to avoid queues and long wait times [7] . Be aware that photos are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, as per the "No Foto" rule [7] .

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Source: "Inside Vatican Museum | Detailed Guide 2023" (from web, www.thevaticantickets.com)

None

Source: "What’s the best museum you’ve been to?" (from reddit, r/AskReddit)

  • Field Museum in Chicago
    • Terrifying 19th century obstetrics table
    • Interesting rotating exhibits
  • Museum of Science & Industry
    • U-boat
    • Tesla coil
  • Art Institute
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Elmhurst History Museum
  • DuSable Museum
  • Smithsonian
    • National Museum of Health and Medicine
    • Hunterian Museum
  • Newseum in DC
    • Wall about Boston Bomber
    • Hall of Pulitzer Prize winning news photographs
  • British Museum in London
    • Repository of plundered loot
    • Rosetta stone
  • Mutter Museum in Wheaton
    • 3,000 osteological specimens
    • Fully articulated skeleton of Harry Raymond Eastlack
    • Mütter American Giant
    • Hyrtl Skull Collection
    • Collection of accidentally swallowed objects
  • Holocaust Museum in DC
    • Excellently laid out
    • Replicates experience
  • Simon Wiesenthal Center in LA
  • Vasa Museum in Stockholm
    • Sunken ship salvaged in the middle of the 20th century
    • Original ship is still in the museum

Source: "The Complete Guide to Vatican Museums 2023" (from web, www.thevaticantickets.com)

None

Source: "Visiting the Vatican Museum, June 2021" (from reddit, r/travel)

  • Book the early morning tour:
    • To avoid the crowds and have time to take photos
    • Tour starts at 7:30am and lasts for 90 minutes
  • Book the “summer night at the Vatican” special time slot:
    • The earliest time slot is 6:30 or 7, and you would have the place to yourself
  • Wear a mask:
    • Required by law in Italy
  • Buy tickets in advance or make reservations:
    • To avoid queues and long wait times
  • Be aware of the “No Foto” rule:
    • Photos are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel

Source: "Vatican Museums and Galleries | Description, Hi..." (from web, www.britannica.com)

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What is the layout of the Vatican Museums?

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What is the history of the Vatican Museums?

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What are some examples of the old religious paraphernalia related to rituals of the papacy that is found in the Vatican Historical Museum?

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What other types of art and artifacts make up the Vatican Historical Museum's collection?

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What were the specific conditions that led to the founding of the Vatican Historical Museum in 1973?

Source: "Why you should visit the Vatican Historical Museum" (from web, www.vaticancitytours.it)

  • The Vatican Historical Museum
    • It is located in the Apostolic Palace of the Lateran in the Vatican City
    • It was founded in 1973 by Pope Paul VI, opened to the public in March 1991
    • It houses an extensive collection of art, archaeology and ethno-anthropology gathered by the Popes over the centuries
    • Rooms contain artefacts used and owned by the popes
  • History of the Vatican Museums
    • Founded in 1503 by Pope Julius II
    • Collection grew from affluent families, past popes, and future pope’s private collections
    • Grew in size and required more buildings to host the works
  • Layout of the Vatican Museums
    • Moved from Square Garden to Lateran Palace in 1987
    • Domenico Fontana designed the palace in 1586
    • 10 refurbished halls host frescoes from the Mannerist Age
  • What to see in the Vatican museums?
    • Principal wing has art and historical artefacts of museum
    • Paintings of the papal states and memorabilia of the Papal States
    • Annex wing has larger historical items such as carriages, saddles, wagons, and the very first car ever used by the Popes
    • Model of the city’s first train engine, created in 1929

Source: "Visiting The Vatican Museums: 11 Best Things To..." (from web, myadventuresacrosstheworld.com)

  • Vatican Historical Museum
    • Located in the main floor of the Lateran Palace in 1987
    • Moved from its original location in the Lateran Palace in the 1970s
    • Opened to the public in 1991
    • A journey through the history of the Papal States
    • Features colorful tapestries, gilded carriages, “popemobiles”, and a unique collection of portraits of Popes from the 16th century to the modern day

Source: "Vatican Historical Museum - SpottingHistory.com" (from web, www.spottinghistory.com)

  • The Vatican Historical Museum
    • Founded in 1973 at the behest of Pope Paul VI
    • Initially hosted in environments under the Square Garden
    • Moved to the main floor of the Apostolic Palace of the Lateran and opened in March 1991
    • Unique collection of portraits of Popes from the 16th century to date
    • Memorable items of the Papal Military Corps of the 16-17th centuries
    • Old religious paraphernalia related to rituals of the papacy
    • Papamobili (Popemobiles); carriages and motorcars of Popes and Cardinals, including the first cars used by Popes
    • Located in the Lateran Palace, which is next to the Basilica of Saint John Lateran
    • Ten halls with fresco decorations on themes of the History of Rome, episodes of the Bible, and the Gospel
    • Exclusively used as exhibition or display rooms for the exhibits moved from the Vatican Museums
    • Arranged into two wings: one for artistic and historic importance, and the other for the papamobili on display

Source: "Colosseum to Vatican Historical Museum - 3 ways..." (from web, www.rome2rio.com)

  • Line 85 bus
    • Take the line 85 bus from Colosseo to Pza S. Giovanni In Laterano
    • 847 services weekly
    • 12 min average duration
    • Cheapest price: $1
    • Schedules available
  • Line 8 tram
    • Take the line 8 tram from Colosseo to Manzoni/Merulana
    • 100-minute intergrated ticket: $2
    • 24-hour ticket: $8
  • Night bus
    • Take the night bus from Labicana/Colosseo to Manzoni/Merulana
    • 100-minute intergrated ticket: $2
    • 24-hour ticket: $8
  • Taxi
    • Take a taxi from Colosseum to Vatican Historical Museum
    • 3 min average duration
    • Estimated price: $7 - $10
  • Walk
    • Walk from Colosseum to Vatican Historical Museum
    • 3907 feet in distance

Source: "Vatican Historical Museum - Wikiwand" (from web, www.wikiwand.com)

  • Vatican Historical Museum
    • Founded in 1973 at the behest of Pope Paul VI
    • Initially hosted in environments under the Square Garden
    • Moved to the main floor of the Apostolic Palace of the Lateran and opened in March 1991
    • Has a unique collection of portraits of the Popes from the sixteenth century to date
    • Includes the memorable items of the Papal Military Corps of the 16–17th centuries
    • Old religious paraphernalia related to rituals of the papacy
    • On display on the lower floor are the papamobili (Popemobiles); carriages and motorcars of Popes and Cardinals, including the first cars used by Popes

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What is the best Vatican Historical Museum?