The Raphael Rooms at a glance
The Raphael Rooms are four rooms on the second floor of the papal palace. Pope Julius II used them as his apartment. Raphael and his workshop painted them between 1508 and 1524. That last point matters: the walls are not all by Raphael's own hand. They are the work of a team under his direction.
You do not buy a separate ticket for the rooms. They are part of the museum visit, and the usual route leads through them on the way to the Sistine Chapel. Outside the chapel, private photos without flash are allowed. Selfie sticks are banned, and professional equipment needs a permit.
The four rooms and their names
The signs use the Italian names, so it helps to know them in advance.
| Room | English name | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Sala di Costantino | Hall of Constantine | First on the usual route |
| Stanza di Eliodoro | Room of Heliodorus | Second on the usual route |
| Stanza della Segnatura | Room of the Segnatura | Home of the School of Athens |
| Stanza dell'Incendio di Borgo | Room of the Fire in the Borgo | Fourth on the usual route |
The usual order runs Constantine, Heliodorus, Segnatura, Fire in the Borgo. Use it to orient yourself, not as a rule. Follow the signs on the day.
The School of Athens
The School of Athens is in the Stanza della Segnatura. It is the painting most visitors come for. In the centre stand Plato, holding the Timaeus, and Aristotle, holding the Ethics. Around them gather philosophers and scientists, among them Pythagoras and Euclid.
The usual reading names two portraits. Heraclitus is taken to be a portrait of Michelangelo. The figure in the black beret at the right edge is taken to be Raphael himself. These are interpretations, and you will hear both on guided tours.
The Segnatura is only one of four rooms. Leave time for the other three, because each has its own walls and ceilings to read. A guide helps here, since the scenes are easy to pass without knowing what they show.
Tours with the Raphael Rooms
Skip-the-line tickets and guided visits of the Vatican Museums, the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, with live prices and availability.
How to plan your time in the rooms
Practical points for the day.
Come with energy for the chapel
The rooms lead on toward the Sistine Chapel. There, photos and films are banned, and absolute silence applies. Phones may not be used.
Sistine Chapel guide →Opening times
The museums are open Monday to Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. The last entry is at 6:00 p.m. Halls are cleared 30 minutes before closing, so be in the rooms well before that.
Opening hours →Security and bags
There are metal detectors. An online booking does not exempt you from the checks. Large bags go to the cloakroom, which is free. Knives, scissors, metal tools, large umbrellas and tripods must be handed in.
House rules
Do not touch the art. Food, drink and smoking, including e-cigarettes, are not allowed in the exhibition halls. Cover your shoulders and knees.
Dress code →Where the rooms sit on the route
A common way through the museums, in order.
1. Before the rooms
A usual route starts in the Pigna Courtyard and passes the ancient sculpture of the Pio-Clementino Museum. It continues through the Candelabra and Tapestry galleries and the Gallery of Maps.
Highlights route →2. The Raphael Rooms
The rooms follow the Gallery of Maps. Walk the four rooms in the order above and take your time in the Segnatura.
3. The Sistine Chapel
The route ends in the chapel. The museum ticket includes it on the same day.
The route is a guide, not a timetable. The Pinacoteca and the Egyptian Museum are extra stops. Add them if you have the time, and skip them if you want to see the Raphael Rooms and the chapel without rushing.
Keep going
What else is on the route.
The Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's ceiling, the Last Judgment and the rules inside.
The Gallery of Maps
A corridor of 40 painted maps, 120 metres long.
Vatican Museums highlights
A route from the Pigna Courtyard to the Sistine Chapel.
Rome has much more than the museums. For a day in the city, see Rome in one day.
Raphael Rooms: frequently asked questions
How many Raphael Rooms are there?
Four: the Sala di Costantino, the Stanza di Eliodoro, the Stanza della Segnatura and the Stanza dell'Incendio di Borgo. They are on the second floor of the papal palace.
Where is the School of Athens?
In the Stanza della Segnatura. Plato and Aristotle stand at the centre of the scene.
Did Raphael paint everything himself?
No. Raphael and his workshop painted the rooms between 1508 and 1524, so the walls are the work of a team.
Do I need 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. Tickets are not refundable.
Can I take photos in the Raphael Rooms?
Private photos without flash are allowed outside the Sistine Chapel. Selfie sticks are banned, and professional equipment needs a permit. In the Sistine Chapel, photos and films are not allowed.
Are all four rooms always open?
Do not count on it. Check the current situation before you go and follow the signs on the day.