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Gallery of Maps

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Gallery of Maps (Vatican)

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The Gallery of Maps (Galleria delle Carte Geografiche) is one of the most visually memorable corridors within the Vatican Museums. Commissioned by Pope Gregory XIII and completed between 1580 and 1583, the gallery stretches for 120 meters. Its walls are adorned with 40 monumental frescoes depicting the various regions of Italy and the Papal States with extraordinary geographical detail. The maps were based on cartoons by the renowned cosmographer Ignazio Danti. The precision of the topography and city layouts was revolutionary for the late 16th century, providing a near-complete visual survey of the Italian peninsula. The vaulted ceiling is equally magnificent, featuring elaborate stucco work and frescoes that portray religious events and saints associated with the regions directly below on the walls. Walking through the gallery provides a symbolic journey across Italy, making it a masterpiece of Renaissance science and art on a grand scale.

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 Gallery of Maps is a 120-meter long corridor in the Vatican Museums, accessible with a standard ticket. It is an indoor space with impressive ceiling frescoes and maps.
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Typical hours
The Vatican Museums are typically open Monday to Saturday, often with extended hours on Thursday. Exact opening times vary and should be checked online in advance.
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Photography
Photography without flash is allowed in the gallery to protect the sensitive frescoes. Tripods are not permitted, use a good handheld camera.
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Time needed
A thorough visit to the Gallery of Maps should take about 20-30 minutes. The entire visit to the Vatican Museums typically takes 3-5 hours.
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Combine with
Combine the gallery with the nearby Gallery of Tapestries and Gallery of the Candelabra on the same route. All three galleries are in the same museum wing and easy to connect.
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Getting there
The gallery is inside the Vatican Museums, accessible via the main entrance on Viale Vaticano. Follow signs to the museums and then to the Gallery of Maps.
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Insider tip
Visit the gallery early in the morning to avoid crowds. Look not only at the maps but also at the gilded ceilings - a masterpiece.

Geography

Population
829 (2026)
Coordinates
41.90500, 12.45380

Facts

  • The gallery measures 120 meters in length and 6 meters in width.
  • The entire fresco cycle was completed in just three years (1580-1583).
  • There are 40 individual map panels displayed along the walls.
  • Ignazio Danti was the chief cosmographer responsible for the designs.
  • The ornate ceiling features 80 different frescoes of religious significance.
  • The maps are arranged to represent the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Vatican Post Office (Main)Vatican Post Office (Main)<1 km · NEExplore →
Medaglie d'OroMedaglie d'Oro2 km · NWExplore →
Palazzo SpadaPalazzo Spada2 km · SEExplore →
FlaminioFlaminio3 km · NEExplore →
Porta PiaPorta Pia3 km · EExplore →
ColosseumColosseum4 km · SEExplore →
FarnesinaFarnesina4 km · NExplore →
Val CannutaVal Cannuta4 km · WExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

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Sights in the town Gallery of Maps (10)

Galleria degli Arazzi🏛 museum

Gallery in the Vatican Museums displaying 16th-century tapestries.

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Tower of the Winds🗼 tower

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

Padiglione delle carrozze🏛 museum

Pavilion in the Vatican exhibiting historical carriages and vehicles.

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Galleria delle Carte Geografiche🏛 museum

Map-filled art museum in the Vatican, walls covered with painted maps of Italy.

Belvedere Courtyard

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

Pius IV House

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

Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo

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

Necropoli della Via Triumphalis

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

Punto panoramico di viale della Galea

Viewpoint along Viale della Galea overlooking the Vatican Gardens.

Sistine Chapel

Chapel in the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City, famous for Michelangelo's ceiling and altar frescoes.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Gallery of Maps?
The gallery is 120 meters long and houses 40 huge map frescoes.
What do the maps depict?
The various regions of Italy and the Church's possessions in the 16th century.
Who commissioned the gallery?
Pope Gregory XIII had the gallery built between 1580 and 1583.
Are the maps still accurate today?
For their time, they were amazingly precise, based on designs by Ignazio Danti.
What is special about the ceiling?
The ceiling is magnificently decorated with stucco and frescoes showing events in the respective regions.
Gallery of Maps: where is it located?
Gallery of Maps is located in Vatican.
Gallery of Maps: what is there to see?
Highlights include Galleria degli Arazzi, Tower of the Winds, Padiglione delle carrozze.
Gallery of Maps: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Gallery of Maps: why is it worth visiting?
The Gallery of Maps (Galleria delle Carte Geografiche) is one of the most visually memorable corridors within the Vatican Museums.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
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History & landmarks

Fountain of the Galley — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Fountain of the Galley
A decorative fountain in the Vatican Gardens evocative of maritime themes.
Bunker Access — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Bunker Access
A secured access point to underground structures within the Vatican walls.
Typography Street — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Typography Street
The central street of the Vatican's publishing district, home to the printing presses and editorial offices of official media.
Vatican Fire Station — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Vatican Fire Station
The headquarters of the Vatican Fire Brigade, responsible for fire protection and safety services throughout the entire enclave.
Oven Square — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Oven Square
A small square in the heart of the Vatican's service district, named after the historical bakery that served the city.
Postal Service Square — Gallery of Maps (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 — Gallery of Maps (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 — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Gendarmerie Barracks
The living quarters and operational center of the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City, responsible for public order.

More places

Vatican Pinacoteca — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Vatican Pinacoteca
A section of the Vatican Museums specialized in paintings.
Gregorian Etruscan Museum — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Gregorian Etruscan Museum
The museum is dedicated to Etruscan art and culture.
Chiaramonti Museum — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Chiaramonti Museum
Founded by Pope Pius VII, this museum displays hundreds of Roman busts and statues in an impressive gallery designed by Canova.
Palace of Innocent VIII — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Palace of Innocent VIII
This palace forms the core of the Belvedere complex in the Vatican.
Palace of Gregory XIII — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Palace of Gregory XIII
This part of the Apostolic Palace surrounds the San Damaso Courtyard.
Palace of Paul V — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Palace of Paul V
This palace wing extends the Apostolic complex to the north.
Pio-Clementine Museum — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
Pio-Clementine Museum
The largest of the Vatican Museums, housing significant Greek and Roman sculptures, including the famous Laocoön group.
San Damaso Courtyard — Gallery of Maps (Vatican)
San Damaso Courtyard
The primary courtyard of the Apostolic Palace, where the Holy See's protocol receives visiting heads of state and diplomatic missions.