Secrets of the Vatican Museums: Niccoline Chapel and Bramante Staircase

The Bramante Staircase is a wonder of Renaissance architecture tucked away just steps from the Octagonal Courtyard and more famous wonders like the Laocöon and Apollo Belvedere.

It was commissioned by Pope Julius II in 1505 from Donato Bramante to connect the Belvedere Palace from the outside. Bramante’s genius can be seen in the innovative design of a helical ramp, which was a completely new and innovative idea in the 16th century. It inspired countless later architects and served as the model for the Vatican’s more famous Momo Spiral staircase. This hidden gem is a must-visit not just for lovers of architecture but also for its breathtaking views over Rome.

You’ll continue on your journey, taking in treasures like the Belvedere Torso, the Gallery of the Candelabra, and the jaw-dropping Gallery of the Maps before arriving at the iconic Raphael Rooms. Here, while marveling at wonders like the School of Athens, you’ll again have the opportunity to venture behind locked doors to visit the Niccoline Chapel.

The Niccoline Chapel is a jewel box of late 15th-century art by the famed Dominican friar Fra Angelico. The work was commissioned by Pope Nicholas V for his private chapel in the Tower of Innocent III, in the most ancient part of the Apostolic Palace.

This fresco cycle is the only one that has survived by the artist from his time in Rome, which makes it all the more precious. Every inch of this closet-sized chapel is richly frescoed with scenes from the lives of St Stephen and St Lawrence, still amazingly rich and vibrant despite being over 500 years old.

You will also have the rare privilege of passing through the Room of the Chiaroscuri. This large hall once housed members of the Pope’s personal retinue and was used for secret consistories. It’s also known as Sala del Pappagallo (Room of the Parrots) in honor of some of its previous feathered residents!

Now, your guide will whisk you along to the Sistine Chapel, pointing out other secrets hidden in plain sight along the way. Once you arrive in the chapel, you can sit and gaze up in wonder at Michelangelo’s two masterpieces – the vault of the ceiling with the iconic Creation of Adam and the monumental Last Judgement.

Finally, access another special door that will skip the line and take you directly to St. Peter’s Basilica. The largest church in the world, built atop the Tomb of St Peter, you’ll discover the 2,000 years of history and faith that went into creating this beating heart of the Catholic Church. You’ll take in highlights such as Michelangelo’s moving Pietà and Bernini’s bombastic and awe-inspiring Baldacchino before finishing your adventure with a view over the majestic St. Peter’s Square.