Raphael’s Rooms: Amazing Frescoes at the Vatican Museums

So, who exactly was Raphael? And what is the history behind him decorating these incredible rooms? Well, in 1508 Pope Julius II summoned to Rome a prodigious, but untested young artist from the town of Urbino. He wanted him to fresco the inside of what was intended to be his library. The then unknown artist´s name was Raffaelo Santi or Raffaelo Sanzio, but he is now famous worldwide as Raphael. Read on to learn all about the Vatican’s famous Raphael’s Rooms. 

Wander through Raphael´s Rooms in the Vatican Museums and marvel at the frescos.

A Brief History

From the moment he was summoned, and over the better part of the next ten years, the young Raffaelo (and his workshop) were dedicated to creating a series of frescoes in Julius’ apartments. Little did he know that these would eventually lend his name to the very rooms he decorated – and that tourists would flock to see Raphael’s Rooms.

Although some of the frescoes are valued more highly than others due to having more or less involvement by Raphael in the actual painting, they are all among the most important paintings in Italy, and indeed the world. 

Raphael’s frescoes are considered the artistic pinnacle of the Italian Renaissance alongside Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel, which was painted at roughly the same time.

Raphael’s Rooms – 4 amazing spaces

Raphael’s Rooms span four separate spaces. The Stanza della Segnature, the Stanza di Eliodoro, and the Stanza dell’incendio del Borgo and the Sala di Constantino. 

The Stanza della Segnatura

This is the first room Raphael painted and also considered his greatest masterpiece. It includes three frescoes – the School of Athens, the Parnassus, and Disputa, all of which combine to form one of the most jaw-dropping rooms in the Vatican Museums – especially if you can decode all the symbolism packed into each work.

The most famous of the three is the Scuola di Ateni or School of Athens, an incredible fresco that places all of the greatest minds of antiquity into a single, perfectly balanced scene to celebrate the union of science, philosophy, ration, and spirituality. You won’t find a better representation of the perfection of Renaissance form and ideals anywhere in the world.

The sheer scale of the pieces is not apparent until you are actually there in person in Raphael’s Rooms

Insider tip: Keep an eye out for familiar faces in this painting. Raphael painted himself in the far right, Leonardo Da Vinci as Plato in the center of the picture, and and Michelangelo as Heraclitus in the bottom. 

The beauty of the room was immediately recognized in its own time – as soon as it was finished it became the official place for the Pope to sign important documents, hence the name Stanza della Segnatura or “Signature Room.”

The Stanza di Eliodoro

In the Room of Heliodorus, Raphael dropped the larger historical perspective and focused on the glorification of the church. Raphael painted four of the scenes from the Old Testament on the ceiling himself, but at this point he was beginning to rely more heavily on his pupils who would use detailed drawings that he made in order to paint “his” work themselves.

This was a widely-used technique among many of the most prolific Renaissance artists. The obvious exception is Michelangelo who maintained no studio and as a consequence, produced much less than artists like Raphael.

Insider tip: Keep a look out for Pope Julius. He was nearing the end of his life as Raphael and his team were working on this room but that didn’t stop Raphael from including him in all of the frescoes. 

The Stanza dell’incendio del Borgo

There is a lot more church glorification in this room but you’ll notice that the figure of the Pope changes. By the time Raphael and his team – to whom he was now entrusting the majority of the work – got started on this third room, Julius II had died and been replaced by the Medici Pope, Leo X. This is why all the Popes represented in these frescoes are named Leo.

With so much detail in all of the frescoes in Raphael’s Rooms, the more you look, the more you are drawn in

That’s Leo the IV extinguishing the titular fire at the Borgo with little but a stout prayer and again conquering the Saracens in 849. That’s Leo III crowning Charlemagne. One of the (unfortunately) notable points about this room is the inconsistency of the work. Some of the frescoes can stand alongside Raphael’s best but others are clearly of inferior quality. 

The Sala di Constantino

Speaking of inferior quality, the Constantine Room is probably most famous for being the ugly step sibling of the first three rooms. Raphael died somewhat mysteriously midway through its painting (from a fever) and his work was finished by his students. Although they were working from his drawings, as in earlier rooms, it seems that, without him to look after the details, they were unable to uphold his divine style. The room has come to represent not only the tragically early death of Raphael, but the demise of the High Renaissance that would crumble as an epoch a few years later when Rome was sacked by foreigners. 

The stunning view of the Vatican City from St. Peters Basilica.

Tips For Visiting Raphael’s Rooms

Opening Times

The Vatican Museums, in which Raphael’s Rooms are located, are open Monday to Saturday: 08:00 to 18:00/20:00 (hours vary by season). Last admission is usually 16:00 to 18:00 depending on the season and booking time. Visitors are required to leave the halls 30 minutes before museum closing time. 

The Vatican Museums and Raphael’s Rooms are usually closed on Sundays, but on the last Sunday of each month, the Vatican Museums are open and free (typically 09:00–14:00, last entry 12:30). However, exceptions apply if that Sunday falls on major religious holidays (such as Christmas or Feast days). Check the Vatican website for more information on holiday closings and special openings.

Tickets

Online booking for tickets is strongly recommended and almost necessary to secure your preferred time slot, especially during peak season. Tickets are often booked weeks in advance. You can buy on site at the ticket office, but expect very long lines and limited availability.

A small number of tour groups, like our Pristine Sistine tour, are allowed inside before the Vatican opens to the public each day. For the most exclusive Vatican imaginable, join our Alone in the Sistine Chapel: VIP Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour.

Opt for a guided tour for a more complete experience.

Rules & Regulations 

The rules of the Vatican are strict and pretty uncompromising, it is recommended that you familiarise yourself with them before your visit.

• The Vatican has a dress code. Both men and women should wear clothes that cover their shoulders and knees. Occasionally visitors get away with wearing a bit less but it’s best not to risk it. Hats are also not allowed. 
• Selfie Sticks are strictly forbidden along with flash photography. However, visitors are allowed to take non-flash photographs anywhere in the Vatican Museums besides the Sistine Chapel.
• You aren’t allowed to bring food or drink into the Vatican Museums. If you have items with you, you can leave them in the cloakroom and collect them at the end of your visit. Any food or drink that goes uncollected will be disposed of at the end of each day.
• You cannot bring any bag, backpack suitcase or container larger that cm 40 x 35 x15 into the Vatican Museums. Similarly, you can’t enter with medium to large umbrellas, any umbrellas with spiked tips, camera tripods, or walking sticks – except those required by disabled visitors. All of these items can be left in the cloakroom. 
• It may seem obvious but any type of knives, scissors and other cutting tools must be deposited in the cloakroom as as a precaution against harming the artwork inside. There is solid precedent for this: a deranged man once attacked Michalengelo’s Pietá in St. Peter’s Basílica with a hammer.  
• The Vatican Museums are under constant video surveillance and any touching or tampering with artwork is strictly prohibited. Also, no laser pointers. If you want to draw anything in the Raphael Rooms you have to get prior permission. 

Be aware: The cloakroom is conveniently located for entering the Vatican but not so conveniently located for exiting the Vatican. If you leave items in it you need to circle back to the entrance after exiting. 

Not many people visit the Vatican’s library, but it’s definitely worth a stop. Photo credit: Candiche

FAQ´s – Raphael’s Rooms and The Vatican Museums

What is the best season to visit?

May through September are usually considered high season in Rome, with a mini high season around Easter. If you visit the Vatican Museums during these months expect crowds. Regardless of the time of year, the very best time to visit the Vatican Museums is before they open to the general public, although the only way to do this is through select tour groups. Mercifully, the Raphael rooms tend to attract slightly less attention than the Sistine Chapel so, especially if you go early, you will have a chance to see them in relative peace. 

What is the easiest way to get there?

The best way to reach the Vatican Museums is by taxi or Metro. 

If traveling by taxi, make sure to specify to the driver that you are going to the entrance of the the Vatican Museums, (Musei Vaticani) NOT the Basilica of St. Peter (Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano) which is a 15-minute walk away. 

If traveling by metro, take the Metro A line to the Ottaviano stop. As you exit the stop turn left down Via Candia and turn left at Via Tunisi. At the end of the street you’ll reach a set of steps. Climb them and at the top you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the Vatican Museums.

Insider Tip: Unless you are traveling with a guided tour that includes St. Peter’s Basilica, the church isn’t accessible from the Museums. If you want to visit it you will have to exit the Museums, turn right, and follow the wall around to the entrance of St. Peter’s. It’s about a 15-minute walk.

St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the world´s most famous churches. But believe it or not, there is still a lot you don’t know about it. Find out it’s secrets!

Want to experience Raphael’s Rooms and the Vatican at its most peaceful and awe-inspiring?

We offer a full range of Vatican Tours to suit all types of visits. With limited-access tours, you can step inside before the crowds arrive and see these legendary spaces in a completely different light. Choose an early-entry experience like the Pristine Sistine Tour, or go one step further with the join our Alone in the Sistine Chapel: VIP Vatican & Sistine Chapel Tour.

These rare moments of calm, access, and insight turn your visit into a truly unforgettable experience.