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Chiaramonti Museum

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Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)

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The Chiaramonti Museum was founded at the start of the 19th century by Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti to reorganize and expand the Vatican's collection of ancient sculptures following the Napoleonic Wars. The world-renowned sculptor Antonio Canova played a pivotal role in designing the gallery and arranging its vast contents. The museum occupies a long corridor filled with hundreds of Roman portrait busts, statues, and reliefs, reflecting the breadth of classical artistry. A significant architectural highlight is the 'Braccio Nuovo' (New Wing), opened in 1822, which is hailed as a masterpiece of Neoclassical design. This wing houses legendary works such as the Augustus of Prima Porta and the monumental Nile group. Additionally, the museum includes the Lapidary Gallery, containing one of the world's most extensive collections of ancient inscriptions, though it is primarily accessible to researchers. The Chiaramonti provides an essential look into Roman imperial art and the cultural history of the Mediterranean.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C781014182326262117128
Rain mm7377695657342626708211492

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Chiaramonti Museum is a long gallery within the Vatican Museums, displaying hundreds of Roman statues and busts. It is fully accessible to visitors with a museum ticket, with a magnificent design by Canova.
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Typical hours
The museum follows the standard Vatican Museums opening hours: Mon-Sat, last Sun of month free. Usually 9:00-18:00, last entry 16:00. Closed on Sundays except the last.
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Photography
Photography without flash is generally allowed. Tripods and monopods are prohibited; keep your camera at a distance to avoid damaging artworks.
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Time needed
Plan 1-2 hours to walk the gallery and appreciate the statues. Combine with the adjacent galleries for a half-day museum visit.
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Combine with
Combine with the Pio-Clementine Museum, the Gallery of Maps, and the Sistine Chapel. All are connected within the same museum complex.
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Getting there
Enter through the main Vatican Museums entrance on Viale Vaticano. The Chiaramonti Museum is located on the ground floor, immediately after the entrance.
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Insider tip
Look for the statue of the Nile with its playful putti - a famous piece. Go early to have the gallery almost to yourself.

Geography

Population
829 (2026)
Coordinates
41.90620, 12.45380

Facts

  • The museum was established in 1807 by Pope Pius VII.
  • Famed sculptor Antonio Canova oversaw the collection's arrangement.
  • The Braccio Nuovo addition was completed in 1822.
  • The Augustus of Prima Porta was discovered in 1863 and moved here.
  • There are over 1,000 sculptures and fragments on display.
  • The Lapidary Gallery houses a collection of 3,000+ ancient inscriptions.

Explore nearby

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Palazzo SpadaPalazzo Spada2 km · SEExplore →
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Porta PiaPorta Pia3 km · EExplore →
FarnesinaFarnesina3 km · NExplore →
Val CannutaVal Cannuta4 km · WExplore →
ColosseumColosseum4 km · SEExplore →

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Sights in the town Chiaramonti Museum (10)

Galleria dei Candelabri🏛 museum

Gallery in the Vatican Museums named after its candelabra collection, featuring ancient and Renaissance pieces.

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Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo

Double helix staircase in bronze and marble, designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932.

Missionary Ethnological Museum🏛 museum

Collection of ethnographic objects from missionary regions, housed within the Vatican.

Museo Gregoriano Egizio🏛 museum

Branch of the Vatican Museums displaying ancient Egyptian artifacts, founded in 1839.

Tower of the Winds🗼 tower

Tower in Vatican City, also called Torre dei Venti, used for astronomical observations.

Punto panoramico di viale della Galea

Viewpoint along Viale della Galea overlooking the Vatican Gardens.

Necropoli della Via Triumphalis

Ancient necropolis beneath Vatican City, located along the Via Triumphalis.

Pius IV House

Seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, named after Pope Pius IV.

Belvedere Courtyard

Former Vatican courtyard connecting the Belvedere Palace to the Apostolic Palace.

Saint Peregrin's Church

Church in Vatican City dedicated to Saint Peregrine.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What is exhibited in the Chiaramonti Museum?
Hundreds of Roman portraits, busts, and ancient sculptures.
Who is the museum named after?
Pope Pius VII (Barnaba Chiaramonti), who founded it at the beginning of the 19th century.
Who designed the arrangement of the works?
The famous neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova arranged the collection.
What is the Braccio Nuovo?
The 'New Wing' of the museum, famous for the statue of Augustus of Primaporta.
Where is the Chiaramonti Museum located?
In the long gallery connecting the Belvedere Palace with the Apostolic Palaces.
Chiaramonti Museum: where is it located?
Chiaramonti Museum is located in Vatican.
Chiaramonti Museum: what is there to see?
Highlights include Galleria dei Candelabri, Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo, Missionary Ethnological Museum.
Chiaramonti Museum: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Chiaramonti Museum: why is it worth visiting?
The Chiaramonti Museum was founded at the start of the 19th century by Pope Pius VII Chiaramonti to reorganize and expand the Vatican's collection of ancient sculptures following the Napoleonic Wars.
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History & landmarks

Fountain of the Galley — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Fountain of the Galley
A decorative fountain in the Vatican Gardens evocative of maritime themes.
Bunker Access — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Bunker Access
A secured access point to underground structures within the Vatican walls.
Typography Street — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Typography Street
The central street of the Vatican's publishing district, home to the printing presses and editorial offices of official media.
Oven Square — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Oven Square
A small square in the heart of the Vatican's service district, named after the historical bakery that served the city.
Vatican Fire Station — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Vatican Fire Station
The headquarters of the Vatican Fire Brigade, responsible for fire protection and safety services throughout the entire enclave.
Postal Service Square — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Postal Service Square
A busy square near the Vatican Post Office headquarters, serving as a vital hub for postal and parcel traffic.
Saint Anne&#39;s Gate — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Saint Anne's Gate
One of the primary entrances to Vatican City, used mainly by employees and residents for daily access to the state.
Gendarmerie Barracks — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Gendarmerie Barracks
The living quarters and operational center of the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City, responsible for public order.

More places

Gregorian Etruscan Museum — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Gregorian Etruscan Museum
The museum is dedicated to Etruscan art and culture.
Palace of Innocent VIII — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Palace of Innocent VIII
This palace forms the core of the Belvedere complex in the Vatican.
Pio-Clementine Museum — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Pio-Clementine Museum
The largest of the Vatican Museums, housing significant Greek and Roman sculptures, including the famous Laocoön group.
Missionary-Ethnological Museum — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Missionary-Ethnological Museum
Known today as Anima Mundi, this museum displays religious artworks from around the world, often collected by missionaries.
Vatican Pinacoteca — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Vatican Pinacoteca
A section of the Vatican Museums specialized in paintings.
Gallery of Maps — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Gallery of Maps
A 120-meter long corridor painted with 16th-century topographical maps of Italy.
Palace of Paul V — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Palace of Paul V
This palace wing extends the Apostolic complex to the north.
Palace of Gregory XIII — Chiaramonti Museum (Vatican)
Palace of Gregory XIII
This part of the Apostolic Palace surrounds the San Damaso Courtyard.