Originally known as the “Statues’ Courtyard”, the superb Octagonal Courtyard actually already existed prior to the institution of the Vatican Museums and it housed the first nucleus constituting the papal collections of Classical Antiquity. Here, Pope Julius II gathered a beautiful collection of ancient sculptures and his successors, Pope Clement XIV and Pius VI, continued the tradition of acquiring further masterpieces. Its unique octagonal form is thanks to Michelangelo Simonetti who transformed it in the 1700’s. A truly exquisite space, it alters drastically depending on the time of day owing to the direction of rich Mediterranean sunlight entering its arches and porticos.
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The courtyard is bursting with intricately detailed sarcophagi, friezes and columns and it contains a number of Ancient and Neoclassical masterpieces that are a testament to the love and admiration for the art of sculpture. Aside from the most famous works like the Laocoön, the Belvedere Apollo, the Hermes and the Statue of River God, the courtyard also houses notable sculptures by the acclaimed artist Antonio Canova, known as “the supreme minister of beauty”, as Perseus, Creugas and Damoxenos.
Here are some of the highlights in this remarkable collection:
Brought to the courtyard to decorate a niche by Pope Paul II, this beautiful piece was found around 1540 in the gardens surrounding the Mausoleum of Hadrian. It is presumed to be a statue of Antinous, a favorite of Emperor Hadrian. In Greek mythology, Hermes guides the souls of the dead to the underworld and in this eternal depiction, his sombre face is lowered and his traveling cloak is draped majestically over his shoulder and wrapped around his forearm. It was inspired by bronze statues of the school of Praxiteles and is a marvel in terms of detail and skill.
This impressive character is Arno, the river god. In the traditional reclining pose, this breath-taking sculpture is a replica of a Greek prototype greatly admired by Hadrian. In the early 16th century it was part of a fountain and the basin of the sarcophagus dates from 170-180AD. It is adorned with battle scenes between the Greeks and Amazons and depicts the meddling of the gods in the affairs of men. The statue has undergone numerous restorations by Renaissance artists who replaced many parts, including the head with its expressive bearded face. A small lions head was carved onto the vase, also a restoration and probably made in homage to Pope Leo.
A truly mesmerizing piece, this Neoclassical statue shows the triumphant Perseus holding the severed head of the Medusa, one of the three Gorgons. The Belvedere Apollo, one of the most famous statues in the Octagonal Courtyard, served as Antonio Canova’s inspiration when he created Perseus. The statue was even placed on the Apollo pedestal after it was taken to Paris by Napoleon in 1796 and it was so popular that even when Apollo was restored, Perseus remained as a companion piece. Canova’s meticulous handiwork is a marvel to behold, particularly when examining the intricacy of the hero’s curls and the intertwined snakes of Medusa’s hair.
The statue was created in just a few months at the end of 1800 and has changed hands numerous times. It was first commissioned by the tribune, Onorato Duveyriez and was then given to the Cisalpine Republic for the new Bonaparte Forum in Milan. Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti later purchased the statue and gave it its home in the Octagonal Courtyard.
Another example of Canova’s immense talent, the realization of these two immortalized athletes was inspired by a story titled the Periegesis of Greece written by Greek traveler Pausanias. According to legend, the fighters, Creugas of Durres and Damoxenos of Syracuse were so evenly matched that their epic battle lasted hours without resolution. The decision was made for both to take a final, undefended blow. Creugas was posthumously declared the winner after Damoxenos was disqualified for killing his opponent by striking his side and tearing out his intestines.
The figures were restored recently and replaced in the courtyard in 2015.
Tickets
The Octagonal Courtyard is part of the Vatican Museums, so you’ll need to purchase a ticket to the museums to visit the chapel. Tickets to the Museums cost €20 (plus booking fee of €5). Book your ticket in advance online from the official Vatican museums website to allow you to skip the lines, or join of Through Eternity’s expert-led Vatican Museum Tours.
Opening Hours
The Vatican Museums are open Monday to Saturday from 8am to 8pm with final entry at 6pm. The Museums are closed on Sundays, with the exception of the last Sunday each month when the Vatican offers free entry from beteen 9am and 12.30pm (the museums close their doors at 2pm on these days.)
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