From RS Rome 2018: "If you’re visiting the Vatican Museums first (and going through security there), a shortcut usually— but not always— lets you exit from the Sistine Chapel directly into St. Peter’s (avoiding the security line here). It’s a great time-saving trick, but unfortunately not a reliable one." Does anyone know if this is reliable? If I want to go to Sunday 12 noon mass with the Pope, could I go to the Vatican Museum First? Anyone with experience or advise?
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16702 posts
If I want to go to Sunday 12 noon mass with the Pope, could I go to
the Vatican Museum First? Anyone with experience or advise?
The Vatican Museums are not open on Sundays. That is, not except for "Free" Sunday at the end of every month but hours are limited, there's no "privileged" entry, and the place is a zoo. Not the day to go. As no tours are conducted on that day, I'm quite sure the back passage would not be open to any tourists.
To add: non-tour access to that passage is not "reliable" on any day the museums are open. Independent tourists have done it successfully but it's up to the discretion of the guards on duty on any given day. Some turn a blind eye but other visitors have reported being turned away.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
I see. Then I guess we'll just wait in line Sunday morning for the 12 noon mass and save the Vatican Museums for another day that week.
Can I assume the Vatican Museums are busy every day and it doesn't matter morning or afternoon? Thanks Kathy.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16702 posts
Yep, pretty busy all the time during high and shoulders seasons. But would you happen to be in Rome on a Friday? Their seasonal night openings have been favorably reviewed by RS travelers who've done them. Tickets are a little bit more expensive than during the day, and not all parts of the museums are open but you'd be able to see plenty of highlights, including the Sistine.
Posted by
Wilmington, DE, USA
1070 posts
You don't say when you will be in Rome. The Pope, even though he generally stays at the Vatican during the summer, does not celebrate the noon Mass. Check the Vatican's schedule. The Pope does speak to the crowds at noon on Sundays in the summer. You just need to be there. The big TV screens will let you see him or you can look for the little white dot way up in the window. Either way it is a wonderful experience.
Posted by
OP
6 posts
We shall be there mid April. Also I read on RS that weekdays after 2pm there are less crowds.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
8038 posts
(nonato, if you're permitted on the newsboard, please see if you can correct your understandable typing error and change "Square" into "Cathedral" in your Subject Line.)
Just for completeness, there have been some discussions here about the moral rectitude of taking the exit door reserved for guided tours. In fact, I saw lots of people not even trying to pretend that they were will a tour, and not being intercepted. I'll admit that we used Rick's hint. You'd think they'd be glad to see anyone /leaving/ the Sistine Chapel!