Vatican Museums and the hidden secrets of the Sistine Chapel

VATICAN MUSEUMS

Discover one of the world’s richest art collections, with a special focus on the Jewish history of the Vatican Museums. Kabbalah and other traditions of Jewish thought so influenced Michelangelo that he incorporated them into many works of art. However, he was forced to conceal them because his commissions came from popes who did not share his positive view of Judaism. Amazingly, not one of the nearly 300 figures Michelangelo painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chaapel is Christian. Its subjects are 5% pagan and 95% Jewish, according to Rabbi Blech.

This unique tour includes:

• the Sistine Chapel, with a special focus on the life of Moses, the Book of Genesis, and the hidden messages of Michelangelo

• the Jewish Lapidarium

• the Courtyard of the Pine Cone, the Gallery of the Candelabra, the Gallery of the Geographical Maps, the Tapestry Gallery

• Raphael Rooms

• Saint Peter’s Basilica