On this immersive Jewish Vatican tour, you’ll be expertly guided through the Museum’s collection exploring the Jewish connections within the Vatican and Michelangelo’s Sistine riddles. A meaningful experience made even more unforgettable as your guide unveils the biblical stories that Michelangelo hid in his paintings from a distinctly Jewish point of view. There will be time to answer all your questions – and with 9 miles of art and thousands of years of history in this tiny state, you’ll sure have a few!

Do justice to your visit with our Jewish Vatican tour, taking you on a journey through the best of these 9-mile museums to appreciate the bigger picture of art, power and politics in the Vatican City. As well as delving into the Vatican’s history and the symbols hidden in Michelangelo’s ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, we’ll explore the major works that the museums have to offer.

Jewish Vatican Tour at Glance

Your private Jewish Vatican tour begins as you skip the long entrance lines. Once inside the Museums your guide will help you make sense and enjoyment out of the world’s largest artistic labyrinth. You will visit the most celebrated of all the Vatican’s treasures— Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel—but you will also access selected galleries filled with priceless artworks, each with its own captivating story to tell. By the time we reach the chapel you’ll be well prepared to appreciate the details and quirks that make it so special – and knowing Michelangelo’s history of temper tantrums and tiffs, you’ll understand what a miracle it was that he finished it at all!

Regarded as Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Sistine Chapel is the breathtaking attraction of the Museums. Decorated with striking frescoes and a cast of colorful biblical characters, the Sistine Chapel ceiling vividly portrays key scenes from the Book of Genesis while the altar wall depicts the verdict of the Last Judgement. With the help of your engaging guide, you will learn the hidden messages behind the symbols and allusions the artist left us in the heart of the Vatican.

Follow your guide out of the chapel through the privileged, no-line passageway to St. Peter's Basilica. Built over St. Peter’s tomb, the basilica is one of the world’s most striking architectural spaces, taking the best minds of the Renaissance more than 120 years to complete. And its history is just as jaw-dropping. Inside, your guide will introduce you its impressive treasures including another of Michelangelo’s masterpieces La Pieta and Bernini’s bronze baldachin canopy, inspired by the Solomon’s Temple original columns.

For those interested in exploring Jewish history in Rome we suggest our Jewish Rome Private Tour suitable for adults and kids.