The world’s eyes are in the Sistine Chapel as Pope Conclave is set to begin electing a new Pope.
The famous Sistine Chapel is a chapel in the Apostles Palace, the official residence of the Pope in Vatican City. However, it was not always known by its name.
Let’s take a look at the history of this historic religious place.
The beginning
The Sistine Chapel project began in 1473. This destroyed the previous building on the site, but according to the official Sistine Chapel website, the building’s wall base and the asymmetric plan remained intact.
The project began in 1473, but official construction did not begin until 1477 and lasted for four years.
Who is the Sistine Chapel named?
The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtas IV de la Rovere (served from 1471 to 1484). He was the Pope who held the old Cappella Magna, a former chapel that sat on the premises, which was restored between 1477 and 1480, according to Musei Vaticani, the official Vatican museum.
When did Michelangelo paint his Sistine Chapel?
Sistine Chapel is also known for houses artistic masterpieces thanks to a variety of artists who have painted breathtaking frescoes that adorn the decor.
The first interior decoration dates back to 1481. According to the official website, Pietro Perugino was a well-known artist of the time and a mentor to another well-known artist, Rafael, and was the first fresco. Frescoes by other well-respected Renaissance artists follow the chapel and are decorated.
But what is as impressive as all frescoes seems to stand out more than the others. To adorn the ceiling of the chapel, Michelangelo Buonarroti was a man of work and was tapped by Pope Julius II (Sixus IV ne and Pope from 1503 to 1531). Pope Julius II decided to partially change the decoration (the ceiling had a starry sky previously painted by the pier Matteodamelia.
He was to finish his masterpiece of painting ceilings and safes in just four years, according to the Vachkani Museum.
How long has the Sistine Chapel been used as a Pope’s Conclave?
The Sistine Chapel was used for the Pope Court ceremony. Only the most important figures of the Vatican city were allowed to participate in these rituals.
Times have changed since then.
Sistine Chapel has served as a seat for the Pope Conclave since 1878, welcoming millions of visitors each year and has become a popular tourist site.
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