Inside the Vatican Museums | EWTN Vaticano Special

EWTN2 minutes read

Gianni Crea and his team of key keepers play a crucial role in opening and closing the Vatican Museums daily, including iconic areas like the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms, contributing to the preservation of the museum's treasures and enhancing the visitor experience. The Vatican Museums and Library work together closely under the leadership of Barbara Jatta, focusing on increasing accessibility through digitization and utilizing modern technologies like LED lighting to protect and showcase the artworks, with a dedicated team of restorers working to conserve and restore the diverse collection spanning different historical periods.

Insights

  • Gianni Crea and his team of key keepers at the Vatican Museums play a crucial role in opening and closing the vast collection daily, covering around 3.5 kilometers each morning, including iconic areas like the Sistine Chapel and the Raphael Rooms.
  • The Vatican Museums, under the leadership of Barbara Jatta, have embraced modernization efforts such as LED technology for illumination, plans for digitizing the library's manuscripts, and restoration work that prioritizes preserving and sharing the rich history and artistry of the Vatican's vast collection.

Get key ideas from YouTube videos. It’s free

Recent questions

  • What time do the Vatican Museums open?

    5:30 a.m.

  • How many doors do the key keepers open daily?

    2,797 doors

  • What is the length of the Vatican Museums?

    7.5 kilometers

  • Who is the first female director of the Vatican Museums?

    Barbara Jatta

  • What is the focus of the Vatican's marble restoration laboratory?

    Safeguarding stone pieces

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Vatican Museums: Key Keepers and Treasures"

  • The Vatican Museums open early at 5:30 a.m., with Gianni Crea as the senior key keeper coordinating the opening of 2,797 doors daily.
  • Gianni and his team of key keepers spend about an hour opening and 90 minutes closing the museum's doors, with each keeper responsible for specific tasks.
  • The Vatican Museums span about 7.5 kilometers, with key keepers walking approximately 3.5 kilometers each morning, including through the 16th-century Gallery of Maps and the Raphael Rooms.
  • The Sistine Chapel, a highlight of the Vatican Museums, is opened daily by Gianni, who feels privileged to share this experience with tourists from around the world.
  • The Sistine Chapel, where the conclave elects new popes, features frescoes by renowned artists like Michelangelo, Pietro Perugino, and Sandro Botticelli.
  • The Vatican Library, established in 1475, holds around 75,000 manuscripts and 1.1 million printed books, with 8,500 early editions printed before 1501.
  • The Vatican Museums and Library collaborate closely, with a series of books detailing the library's history curated by scholars like Barbara Jatta, the first female director of the Vatican Museums.
  • The Vatican Museums have seen an increase in visitors under Jatta's leadership, with plans for digitizing the library's manuscripts to make them accessible online.
  • The Vatican Museums have recently illuminated the Raphael Rooms and Sistine Chapel with new LED technology, enhancing the viewing experience and preserving the frescoes more efficiently.
  • The Vatican Museums house a vast collection of art spanning from Greco-Roman to modern and contemporary pieces, with a team of restorers working diligently to protect these treasures.

22:22

Vatican's Restoration Labs: Preserving Art's Stories

  • Restoration work involves understanding the unique stories and techniques behind damaged artworks before developing restoration strategies and timelines, with a focus on returning works to the public promptly.
  • The Vatican's marble restoration laboratory, established in 1984, safeguards around twenty thousand stone pieces within the Vatican museums and is responsible for protecting stone surfaces both inside and outside the Vatican, including significant locations like Bernini's colonnade and Castel Gandolfo.
  • The laboratory for restoring works made of poly material at the Vatican Museum, active since 1997, focuses on conserving fragile organic items affected by insect attacks and unsuitable environmental conditions, with restorers utilizing tools like digital microscopes to uncover hidden details and layers in artworks, emphasizing the respect and awe felt towards the human genius behind these significant works of art.
Channel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatarChannel avatar

Try it yourself — It’s free.