Sistine Chapel Out the Back Door

You aren’t supposed to be able to go directly to St. Peter’s unless you are on a tour.

There are many, many things to see in the museum, but I wouldn’t have minded if I missed them.

We were just there on Holy Thursday, it was mobbed, and it seemed that everyone was taking the back door to St. Peter's.

By following the recommended route you'd miss the Pinacoteca with some great paintings, but that can be visited before you start the recommended route to the Sistine Chapel. Just follow the signs.

You can see the beautiful spiral staircase when you first enter the museum, if you take a hard right once you are past the main lobby and up the first set of stairs (I think that there is a decent little map in the RS book?), and go past the gift shop on your left. You can look down the staircase, and even go down it a few feet. Just don't go all the way to the bottom, as it's one-way out to the street. Once you've looked at the staircase, retrace your steps and get back on track to enter the main part of the museums. The art gallery "Pinacoteca" will be on your right at the top of the escalalors. You can go in there before you move on to other areas. Note: if you are with a tour, they will probably skip all of this, AND technically only tour groups can take the "quick and easy" exit from the Sistine Chapel to St. Peter's Basilica. However, as you know, sometimes it's possible to blend into a tour group exiting the Chapel, in order to take that exit. Not that I ever would ;) Also: I found the "Vatican Museums" tour on the RS audio app very useful, though it doesn't cover the staircase or the Pinacoteca

Well, I am shocked. As well as appalled! Some people break the rules and are even a bit sly, for the sake of convenience, when visiting one of Christendom’s holiest churches. The mind boggles. I need to lie down in a darkened room.

In 2017 I did this Dark Rome Express Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican Crypt Tour. Others with our group went to the museums after the Sistine. This company has lots of tour offerings, and I'll never go again unless it's at a time when crowds are very small.

It was my 3rd visit. The first time the Sistine hadn't been cleaned yet, but none of the options were crowded (1977).

The 2nd time (2009) it was a guided tour, but later in the day. The Sistine was clean, crowded and noisy, complete with the din the guards tried to keep down, but only made worse. And the cattle-through-the-chute crowding in the museums was miserable. I felt sorry for the short people and little kids who could only see backs and butts, respectively.

The 3rd visit was early enough that we could be in the Sistine with only about 100 people instead of the usual thousands. BTW, that is not an exaggeration. We were able to sit and take it all in and although some people were talking, they were very quiet and respectful.

St. Peter's is always impressive, but I loved being there so early that they were cleaning the floors with a zamboni-like machine and people also were quiet and respectful.

Seeing the crypt was very moving to me, because I got to see the tomb of Pope Paul VI. He was the Pope who did the Christmas Eve Mass I attended in 1977. He was very frail then. I'm not Catholic, but as he was carried through the center aisle from the back of the Basilica to the front, he looked me straight in the eyes and made the sign of the cross. I will never forget that.

I think the Vatican museums are amazing, but they are huge. Even if you get in very early, like most large art collections, they are exhausting to visit because of the visual overload, not to mention that I don't remember a single place to sit and really look at anything. It has been 10 years, so maybe that's changed. The collection is definitely worth seeing, but do try to go very early so you'll be rested and ready for some significant visual input.

Norma, Rick Steves himself advocates doing this in his Italy book. Pages 861 and 879 2017 edition, doubt if this has been dropped from later editions.

It's in the 2018 book too (I don't have it but you can see parts of it online):

The other exit is a handy (but sometimes closed ) shortcut that leads
from the Sistine Chapel directly to St Peter's Basilica....
Officially, this exit is for Vatican guides and their groups only.
However, it's often open to anyone (depending on how crowded the
chapel is and how the guards feel). It's worth a shot (try blending in
with a group that's leaving), but be prepared for the possibility that
you won't get through.

I'm not sure how a tour leader - whose clients paid for the privilege - would feel about someone catching a free ride with their group? If the guards are ushering just anyone through to relieve overcrowding or are just feeling particularly benevolent, that's different. By all means, use the door but I personally wouldn't attach myself to a tour.

I believe the suggestion of blending into a tour is just for the duration of time to get out of the Chapel, not to attach yourself for the duration.

I suggest you try following the original path and not make a shortcut. See for yourself what's between the Sistine Chapel and the museum exit. The beautiful staircase is of course very iconic and beautiful. It should not be missed.

I believe the suggestion of blending into a tour is just for the
duration of time to get out of the Chapel, not to attach yourself for
the duration.

True but again, it's supposed to be a benefit for people who paid for guided tours, unless the guards decide otherwise. Pretending to BE a part of those tours, even for a short amount of time, isn't really kosher. If visiting as an indie tourist, then try accessing the door as an indie tourist :O)

“Pretending to BE a part of those tours, even for a short amount of time, isn't really kosher. “
Kosher in the Vatican.....,intresting.
Brad