The Vatican Museums ⭐⭐⭐(total: 54 in Vatican City) are some of the most popular tourist attractions in the world, and for good reason. They house a vast collection of art and artifacts from ancient times to the present day, including works by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci.
Some of the most popular museums in the Vatican include:
If you are planning a trip to Vatican City, I highly recommend visiting the Vatican Museums. They are a truly unique and unforgettable experience.
How to avoid the crowd
Spoiler alert: the Vatican Museums are open to the public for free on the last Sunday of each month. However, be prepared for long lines, as this is a popular time to visit.
I've found an ideal time to visit the Vatican Museums: 8:00 PM on Friday.
Why Friday? It's the only day of the week that the museums are open until 10:30 PM.
Plus, there are fewer tour groups visiting the museums at night.
The iconic dome of St. Peter's Basilica rises majestically in the background
St. Peter's Basilica
Cast of a sarcophagus with "traditio Legis" in the Vatican Grottoes Christ, with feet on the personification of Heaven, gives the new Law to Peter in the presence of Paul and other characters (from the 2nd to the 5th niche)
Front fragment of a marble sarcophagus dating from the 5th century AD, decorated with the monogram of the name of Christ, formed by the Greek letters Chi-Rho, with Alpha and Omega, inside a floral crown.
Front of a double register sarcophagus Upper Register: Jesus' entry into Jerusalem; God give the symbols of work to Adam and Eve; Moses receives the Law; Central shell with portrait of the deceased couple; Sacrifice of Isaac; Raising of the widow's son at Nain; Multiplication of the leaves and fishes (the central portion is a modern integration) Lower Register: Peter baptizes the prison warders; Peter taken prisoner; Prediction of Peter's denial; Daniel in the lions den; Healing of the paralytic; Healing of the man born blind; Healing of the hemorrhaging woman; Miracle at Cana
Ceremonial headdress, Mekeo people, Papua New Guinea (19th - Early 20the century)
Statue of the lioness goddess Sekhmet The goddess Sekhmet, 'The Powerful One', daughter of the sun god Re, has two distinct aspects to her personality: on the one hand she is a bloodthirsty and warrior lioness, a desert goddess bringing famine, plaques and pestilence, and on the other side she is a protective and healing docile cat, Sekhmet welcomes visitors today as a powerful symbol of hope and reflection, as effective as ever in our time that has experienced the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The goddess Isis-Sothis-Demeter. This white marble monumental bust is 1.2 m high. It is on display in the Gregorian Egyptian Museum; Room III as part of a display of the Serapeum and the Canopus Of Hadrian's villa.
Statue of the Nile (Marble; End 1st-2nd century AD)
Statue of Queen Tuya It was unearthed in 1714 in the gardens of Vigna Verospi, and entered the Vatican upon the foundation of the new Egyptian Museum in 1839.
Torso of the god bull Apis (Granite; 1550-1070 BC)
The Colossi of Ptolemy II and Arsinoe II are a pair of Egyptian statues of monumental dimensions, in red granite , depicting the Pharaoh Ptolemy II ( 282 – 246 BC ) and Queen Arsinoe II of the Ptolemaic Dynasty , discovered in 1714 on the site of the Horti Sallustiani, in Rome, and preserved in the Gregorian Egyptian Museum.
Statue of the Emperor Claudius Claudius (emperor from 37 to 54 AD) is shown as Jupiter, wearing the civil crown of oak leaves and with the eagle at his feet.
Villa del Balbianello ⭐⭐⭐, my favorite of the three villas I visited in central Lake Como during my October trip, offers magnificent panoramic lake views from its gardens. Despite its slightly more remote location, a 25-minute walk along a slope from Lenno rewards visitors with an unforgettable experience.
The villa's gardens are particularly impressive. They are divided into several different areas, each with its own unique design. There are formal gardens, informal gardens, and even a loggia with stunning views of the lake.
Visitors can also reach Villa del Balbianello by ferry from several other towns on the lake, or by car. The villa is open to the public from March to October.
Exploring Villa del Balbianello, a Lake Como Gem (YouTube link)
Photo Gallery
On October 13, 2023, a sunny day, I visited Villa del Balbianello. Following the winding trails along the lake, I captured the photos below from the entrance to the exit. From the gardens, Lake Como can be viewed from different angles with different perspectives.
