The Gallery of Maps at a glance
The Gallery of Maps is a long corridor inside the Vatican Museums. It measures 120 metres in length and 6 metres in width. Along its walls hang 40 painted maps of Italian regions and of the territories the Church ruled at the time.
You do not need a separate ticket. The gallery is part of the museum visit, and it sits on the usual route between the Candelabra and Tapestry galleries and the Raphael Rooms. Walk it slowly if you can. The ceiling alone repays a few minutes.
What the maps show
The 40 depictions show Italian regions and the lands under church rule in that period. Thirty-two of them are maps of territories. Another eight, narrower ones, fill the ends of the corridor.
The layout follows geography. The Apennines run down the middle of Italy, and they divide the gallery as well: the regions on one side of the mountains face the regions on the other. If you know where a place lies on a modern map, you can find it by remembering which side of the ridge it is on.
Pick a few places you know and look for them. A town, a coast or a lake that matters to you makes the walk easier than trying to read all 40.
Who made it
A project of the 1570s, planned with scientific care.
| Role | Person |
|---|---|
| Commissioned by | Pope Gregory XIII |
| Scientific programme | Egnazio Danti |
| Coordination of the painters | Girolamo Muziano and Cesare Nebbia |
| Building of the gallery | Ottaviano Nonni, called Mascherino, 1578–1580 |
The building dates are for the corridor itself. Do not read them as the dates of every fresco.
Tours through the Gallery of Maps
Skip-the-line tickets and guided visits of the Vatican Museums, the Gallery of Maps and the Sistine Chapel, with live prices and availability.
How to see the gallery
Practical points for a long corridor.
Look up first
The ceiling is gilded. It is easy to keep your eyes on the maps at eye level and miss it.
Keep photos simple
Private photos without flash are allowed outside the Sistine Chapel. Selfie sticks are banned, and professional equipment needs a permit. Do not touch the walls.
Plan the order
The gallery comes after the Candelabra and Tapestry galleries and before the Raphael Rooms. If you are short on time, you can skim the maps and keep your energy for the rooms and the chapel.
Raphael Rooms →Know the closing time
The museums open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the last entry at 6:00 p.m. Halls are cleared 30 minutes before closing.
Opening hours →Before you enter
The basics that apply to the whole visit.
Tickets
The online ticket costs €25 in 2026: €20 plus a €5 reservation. At the ticket office it costs €20. Reduced tickets cost €10, or €15 online. Children under 7 enter free. Tickets are valid on the day of issue only and are not refundable.
Tickets →Clothing
Cover your shoulders. Tops that are low-cut or sleeveless, shorts above the knee, miniskirts and hats do not fit the rules.
Dress code →Bags and checks
Metal detectors are in use, and a booking does not exempt you. Staff can ask you to leave large bags in the cloakroom, which is free.
Plan the rest of your visit
What comes next on the route.
The Raphael Rooms
Four rooms with the School of Athens.
The Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's ceiling and the rules inside.
Vatican Museums highlights
A route from the Pigna Courtyard to the chapel.
If you are planning a longer stay in Italy's capital, Rome in one day covers the main sights in the city.
Gallery of Maps: frequently asked questions
How long is the Gallery of Maps?
The corridor is 120 metres long and 6 metres wide.
How many maps are there?
There are 40: 32 regional maps and 8 narrower ones at the ends of the gallery.
Who ordered the gallery?
Pope Gregory XIII. Egnazio Danti drew up the scientific programme, and Girolamo Muziano and Cesare Nebbia coordinated the painters. Ottaviano Nonni, called Mascherino, built the gallery between 1578 and 1580.
Is there a separate ticket?
No. The museum ticket covers the museums and the Sistine Chapel on the day of your visit. In 2026 the online price is €25: €20 plus a €5 reservation. At the ticket office the price is €20.
Can I take pictures in the gallery?
Private photos without flash are allowed outside the Sistine Chapel. Selfie sticks are banned, and professional equipment needs a permit.
How much time should I plan?
That depends on how closely you look. The corridor is long, and there is no fixed time. Give it a few minutes at least, and more if you want to read the maps.