A working chapel, not just a museum
The Sistine Chapel is still an active chapel of the Apostolic Palace: it's where the College of Cardinals meets in conclave to elect a new Pope. That's part of why the rules inside — no photography, requests for silence — are enforced more strictly than almost anywhere else in the Vatican Museums.
The ceiling
Michelangelo painted the ceiling between 1508 and 1512, at Pope Julius II's commission, covering roughly 520 square metres with scenes from Genesis — including the famous Creation of Adam — surrounded by prophets, sibyls and hundreds of figures.
The Last Judgment
Painted more than two decades later (1536–1541) on the altar wall, for Pope Paul III, The Last Judgment shows Christ presiding over the fate of humanity in a single dramatic composition — Michelangelo's last major work in the chapel.
Dress code
The same dress code applies here as across Vatican City: shoulders and knees must be covered for everyone, regardless of gender. Staff can and do turn away visitors who don't comply, so bring something to cover up even on a hot day.
Photography and silence
Photography and filming are not permitted inside the chapel, and staff periodically call for quiet over loudspeakers. Save your photos for the galleries leading up to it.
