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The Vatican Museums began in the early 16th century when Pope Julius II purchased the first marble sculpture, marking its origins.
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The Vatican Library inside the Vatican Palace holds one of the richest manuscript collections in the world, part of the Museums.
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Spanning 9 miles and 1400 rooms, chapels and galleries the Vatican Museums house the world’s largest and most impressive art collection.
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The Sistine Chapel hosts the Papal Conclave and features Michelangelo's frescoes including the iconic masterpiece ‘The Last Judgement.’
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Once Pope Julius II's private apartments, these reception rooms in the Vatican Palace are now a highlight open to the public.
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The Bramante Staircases in the Pio Clementino Museum from 1505 and 1932 are unique spiral ramps not actual staircases.
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The Gallery of Maps showcases 40 frescoes of Italian maps by Ignazio Danti created in the late 16th century and is a standout feature.
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The Vatican Museums art collection dating back to the 16th century undergoes regular restoration to preserve its timeless beauty.
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Though known for Greek and Roman art the Vatican Museums also feature Egyptian antiquities in a 19th-century retro-Egyptian style.
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The modern sculpture "Sphere within a Sphere" by Arnaldo Pomodoro is displayed outdoors in the Vatican Museums Pine Cone Courtyard.
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