Complete Guide to the Vatican - Extended Edition

Including Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Santa Maria Maggiore, St. Paul and St. John

By: Paul Den Arend

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

This is the extended edition of my guidebook. In this edition, I have included more information about the Sistine Chapel, as well as detailed descriptions of the major Papal Basilicas in Rome: Santa Maria Maggiore, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls.

This book will help you if you plan on visiting the Vatican or if you simply want to know more about it. The Vatican is an enormous place, full of artwork and history. It can even feel overwhelming when you visit it. Saint Peter's Basilica is filled with Baroque sculptures, the Vatican Museums contain art from all time periods, and the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms have some of the most beautiful frescoes in the world.

Visiting such a place can be an amazing, once-in-a-lifetime experience. You can make the most out of your visit by preparing a bit beforehand. The Vatican will make so much more sense to you if you know some of the best stories about the art and the people who created it. Without guidance, it can be difficult to know where to look, and the experience may feel overwhelming.

In my Vatican guidebook, I will show you exactly what to pay attention to. You will learn which artworks are considered the most important, and you will discover the often remarkable stories behind their creation. I have also included many must-know tips for visitors to make your stay a pleasant one. You may have heard about the long lines people face before entering Saint Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel — sometimes hours long. In this book, I explain how to avoid those lines, along with many other useful tips.

Inside this extended edition, you will find:

• Clear explanations of the most important artworks in the Vatican Museums
• Detailed information on the Sistine Chapel and Raphael Rooms
• Descriptions of the major Papal Basilicas: Santa Maria Maggiore, St. John Lateran, and St. Paul Outside the Walls
• Stories and historical context that make the Vatican’s masterpieces come alive
• Essential visiting tips, including how to avoid long lines and crowds
• Maps and guidance to help you navigate the museums and Vatican City

I wrote this book as a complete guide to the Vatican. As a tour guide in the Vatican Museums and in the city of Rome — and with experience guiding all over Italy — I saw that most guidebooks provide only very general information: a few hotel and restaurant recommendations, and short descriptions of monuments accompanied by many pictures.

This guidebook is completely different. It is for people who want a deeper and more meaningful understanding of the Vatican and its monuments. Inside, you will find detailed descriptions, maps, and explanations that help you appreciate everything you see.

I use this book as a reference in my own work as a tour guide. I hope it gives you a deep understanding of the beautiful statues, frescoes, tapestries, and paintings in this extraordinary place — and that it makes your visit truly unforgettable.