Vatican shortcut or secret passageway
Jul 4th, 2019 | 06:40 PM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Vatican shortcut or secret passageway
Hello there. Through the Vatican website,I have purchased tickets for the early morning breakfast in the garden and then early entrance to the museums and chapel. I’m seeking fodor’s expert advice on how to plan a direct path from the Vatican garden ( pine cone garden?) to the Sistine Chapel. Has anyone done this? My concern is that we’ll wander around lost and looking for the proper hall/door etc just long enough to waste our brief advantage over the masses. As I recall, the Sistine Chapel is also the last train stop in the line with only an exit from there. Is it possible , after seeing Michelangelo’s work, to backtrack to the map room, Raphael room etc? As always, thank you for your kindness in offering tips and suggestions.
Jul 4th, 2019 | 10:33 PM
#2
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,268
Likes: 0
This is how things were in November last year. But corridors and staircases can often be closed for all sorts of reasons, and who knows what's changed since?
For the overwhelming majority of us these days, the only way into and out of the Vatican Gardens is through the lobby of the Vatican Museums. And from that lobby, the fastest way to the Sistine Chapel is to acquire a plan of the corridors and make your way along them as quickly as you can.
The only "secret passage" any of us have any possibility of using is the fast staircase from the Chapel into the Basilica which - last time I used it - had a sign over it saying "only for groups": very useful if you want to avoid the kilometre or more walk from the museum entrance at the far north of the Vatican boundaries round its walls to the easternmost point of the Vatican City walls.
However, individuals aren't supposed to use it. You can, however, backtrack the way you've come.
For the overwhelming majority of us these days, the only way into and out of the Vatican Gardens is through the lobby of the Vatican Museums. And from that lobby, the fastest way to the Sistine Chapel is to acquire a plan of the corridors and make your way along them as quickly as you can.
The only "secret passage" any of us have any possibility of using is the fast staircase from the Chapel into the Basilica which - last time I used it - had a sign over it saying "only for groups": very useful if you want to avoid the kilometre or more walk from the museum entrance at the far north of the Vatican boundaries round its walls to the easternmost point of the Vatican City walls.
However, individuals aren't supposed to use it. You can, however, backtrack the way you've come.
Jul 5th, 2019 | 07:14 AM
#3
Original Poster
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 0
Thanks flanneruk. Anyone have a floor plan of the Vatican museums? I doubt that would help me. I am seriously map challenged unless it’s a grid. Hee hee. Glad to know you can backtrack. I thought that might be the case ,but the memory is not what it used to be.
