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SPECIAL 2016 ITALIAN & INTERNATIONAL PATRONS EVENT IN THE VATICAN MUSEUMS

June 2016

This year, a very special itinerary was planned for the Italian & International Patron's annual vent in the Vatican Museums. The Vatican Museums opened up for us, once again, after closing to the public, allowing to explore the past, in the peaceful silence of the vast buildings that once housed the Holy Father and his entourage. Through the galleries empty of crowds and wonderfully frescoed, we visited the magnificent Sistine Chapel, the result of the work of the most important Florentine painters of the 400 Florence and of Michelangelo's genius.

This year our group of Patrons was offered something unique, and we were allowed extraordinary access to the Sala Regia and Sala Ducale with a visit to the Pauline Chapel where we admire the last two frescoes by Michelangelo: the Crucifixion of St. Peter and the Conversion of St. Paul.

From the Sala Ducale, we crossed the First Loggia of the Apostolic Palace and then headed towards the Octagonal Courtyard.  This courtyard collects the treasures of the most important statues of Museums (the Laocoon, the Canova's Perseus, the Apollo Belvedere) who were the nucleus of the Pope Julius’ II collection. Here we were greeted by His Eminence Cardinal Bertello, President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.

Father Daniel Hennessy, International Director of the Patrons of the Arts in the Vatican Museums, and Chapter Leaders, Sabrina Zappia & Amy Gallant Sullivan proceeded to introduce the evening, thank participating Patrons, and describe the Chapter's 2016 Project, Touching Art in the Vatican Museums.