Plizio Visual Lab

Gregorian Egyptian Museum

Plizio editorial teamData Sources
museum
—°10
Gregorian Egyptian Museum (Vatican)

Weather…

The Gregorian Egyptian Museum was founded in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI and is a significant part of the Vatican Museums complex. Comprising nine rooms, the museum houses a vast collection of artifacts from Ancient Egypt, alongside Assyrian and Mesopotamian finds. A large portion of the items on display were originally brought to Rome during the imperial era to decorate villas such as Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli, reflecting the Roman fascination with Egyptian art. Key highlights of the collection include basalt statues from the late Egyptian period, elaborately decorated sarcophagi, mummies, and steles with hieroglyphic inscriptions. The museum's rooms are often decorated in an Egyptianizing style to complement the ancient exhibits. This museum provides essential context for understanding how Egyptian religious and artistic traditions were assimilated and preserved by the Romans. It remains a crucial resource for the study of Near Eastern civilizations in the heart of the Vatican.

Best time to visit & climate

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

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C781014182326262117128
Rain mm7377695657342626708211492

📋 Practical info

🚪
Visiting
The Gregorian Egyptian Museum is part of the Vatican Museums and accessible with a museum ticket. It houses ancient Egyptian finds and Roman sculptures in Egyptian style.
🕒
Typical hours
The museum follows the same hours as the Vatican Museums: typically Mon-Sat 9 AM-6 PM. Last entry is at 4:00 PM - check current times beforehand.
📷
Photography
Photography without flash is allowed throughout the museum to protect delicate exhibits. Please refrain from using selfie sticks or tripods.
⏱️
Time needed
Allow about 30-45 minutes for a thorough visit of the collection. The mummies and sarcophagi are particularly worth seeing.
Combine with
The museum combines perfectly with neighboring sections of the Vatican Museums, e.g., the Gregorian Etruscan Museum. The Sistine Chapel is also on the same route.
🧭
Getting there
Access is through the main entrance of the Vatican Museums. Follow signs to the Egyptian section - it is located on the ground floor of the museum building.
💡
Insider tip
Visit the museum early in the day as it is less crowded than the Sistine Chapel. The mummy of a child is one of the most impressive exhibits.

Geography

Coordinates
41.90640, 12.45430

Facts

  • Founded by Pope Gregory XVI in the year 1839
  • Consists of nine rooms dedicated to ancient civilizations
  • Many artifacts were sourced from Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli
  • Features a collection of Egyptian, Assyrian, and Mesopotamian art
  • Houses rare basalt statues and well-preserved mummies
  • The interior decor reflects 19th-century Egyptian revival style

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Gregorian Egyptian Museum (10)

Museo Gregoriano Egizio🏛 museum

Branch of the Vatican Museums, displaying ancient Egyptian art and artifacts.

💶

Museo Pio Clementino🏛 museum

Branch of the Vatican Museums, famous for its collection of antique sculptures.

💶

Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo

Double spiral staircase built in the 1930s, connecting the Vatican Museums to the exit.

Galleria dei Candelabri🏛 museum

Gallery in the Vatican Museums, named after the large marble candelabra displayed there.

Punto panoramico di viale della Galea

Viewpoint on Vatican Hill overlooking Rome and the dome of St. Peter's Basilica.

Tower of the Winds🗼 tower

Tower in Vatican City, once used as an observatory and weather station.

Necropoli della Via Triumphalis

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

Belvedere Courtyard

Former Vatican courtyard, now part of the Vatican Museums complex.

Saint Peregrin's Church

Church in Vatican City, dedicated to Saint Peregrin.

Pius IV House

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

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

When was the museum founded?
Pope Gregory XVI founded it in 1839.
What are the highlights of the collection?
Ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, mummies, and statues from Hadrian's Villa.
Where do most of the pieces come from?
Many were found in ancient Rome or brought here from Egypt.
How many rooms does the museum have?
The collection is divided into nine rooms.
Is entry included in the Vatican Museums ticket?
Yes, it is part of the general museum complex.
Gregorian Egyptian Museum: where is it located?
Gregorian Egyptian Museum is located in Vatican.
Gregorian Egyptian Museum: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museo Gregoriano Egizio, Museo Pio Clementino, Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo.
Gregorian Egyptian Museum: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Gregorian Egyptian Museum: why is it worth visiting?
The Gregorian Egyptian Museum was founded in 1839 by Pope Gregory XVI and is a significant part of the Vatican Museums complex.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
Explore with Plizio Discover more places in Europe
More places in Vatican →

History & landmarks

More places