After a couple of hours in diverse galeries and through the rooms of Rafael, we finally arrived to the Sistine Chapel...the heart of the Vatican Palaces which have been the papal residences since 1377. Built in 1437 by Pope Sixtus IV, it is the most famous hall of the World because of the magnificent frescoes of Michelangelo that ornate its interior.  As with the Saint_peter place, these amazing work of arts are very much part of consumer's every day life: printed on T-Shirts, coffee cups, calendars and so,it is a disturbing experience when one sees its original and the decor of the Chapel for which it was actually created....

This picture above depicts the Last Judgment by Michelangelo. There are books written on that one particular fresco. One can study its details and admire it for hours (depending on how healthy is your neck!)

The ceiling is a series of painted scenes on which Michelangelo worked by himself from 1508 to 1512. The central panels depict the Genesis with one of the famous panel illustrating God's creation of Man. A restauration of these works of art in 1980 revealed their original and flamboyant colours! Before this restauration, it is said that there was a greyish tone to all the paintings; it is now the experts opinion that Michelangelo has indeed painted his frescoes in these vivid colours!

Here it seems that huge curtains line the walls of the Chapel: make no mistakes, these are painted curtains!.