Discover the artistic wonders of the Vatican, from the Sistine Chapel to Raphael's frescoes, with the New York Times bestselling book The Vatican: All the Paintings; now in a practical and elegant paperback format. The Vatican is one of the most visited sites in the world. It encompasses numerous museums and palaces, and houses one of the finest art collections known to man. Amassed by popes throughout the centuries, including several of the most renowned Roman sculptures and important masterpieces of Renaissance art in the world, the Vatican is a perennial source of awe and fascination. From Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and his Pieta, to the Raphael frescoes, to the works of Giotto, Fra Angelica, Titian, and Caravaggio, The Vatican: All the Paintings is an unprecedented celebration of this great collection. The book is organized into 22 sections representing the museums and areas of the Vatican, including the Pinacotea, the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms, the Borgia Apartments, the Vatican Palaces, and St. Peter's Basilica. Each one of the 976 works of art represented in this book -- including the 661 classical paintings on display in the permanent painting collection and 315 other masterpieces -- is annotated with the name of the painting and artists, the date of the work, the birth and death of the artist, the medium that was used, the size of the work, and the catalog number (if applicable). In addition, 180 of the most iconic paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of art are highlights with 300-word essays by art historian Anja Grebe and bestselling author Ross King. Here you will find information such as the key attributes of the work, what to look for when viewing it, the artist's inspirations and techniques, biographical information on the artist, and the artist's impact on history.

Visiting the Vatican Museums is a truly unique experience. It is such an amazing place with such an abundance of artwork. Some of the most famous pieces of art in the world can be found there. Be amazed by the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel by Michelangelo and enjoy the beautiful frescos of Raphael. There are statues from Roman times, paintings from artists as different as Giotto, Leonardo and Caravaggio and so much more. In fact, the museums are enormous. It can be quite overwhelming. What's worse, the museums were never built as museums. The artworks are displayed in the rooms and halls that were once used by the Pope and his court. This is why most of the museum is one direction only. Moreover, mass tourism has caused the amount of visitors to the museums to spike in recent years. Many people stand in line for hours outside, just to be able to visit the museums. In this guidebook, I will try to show you the best way to visit the museums and I will tell you all the stories and details about the most important works in the museums. In addition, I'll give you essential tips for visiting the museums. I've worked for many years as a guide inside the museums. This is truly a special place. I have put all that I have learned in these years in this book. I hope it will help to make your visit to the museums an unforgettable experience.

In a long, bright corridor in the Vatican Palace is one of the world's treasures: The Gallery of Maps. Lined with forty richly decorated map frescoes of Italy and its regions, the Gallery offers a walking-tour of Italian history and geography. All forty of these extraordinary frescoes are thoroughly discussed and splendidly illustrated in this volume.Designed by Egnazio Danti, a well-known cosmographer and mathematician, the Gallery of Maps is the most original and ambitious cycle of its kind. It remains, to this day, the largest cycle of geographical images in Europe. For the art lover, map lover, and historian, The Gallery of Maps in the Vatican provides an excellent introduction to this glorious masterpiece.

Nearly three hundred illustrations and a text reveal the entire range of the Vatican's artistic holdings, replete with priceless masterworks from all periods.

Swim in the sparkling Mediterranean, marvel at the peak of Mount Etna, and get to know this region's timeless charm: with Rick Steves on your side, Sicily can be yours! Inside Rick Steves Sicily you'll find: Comprehensive coverage for spending a week or more exploring Sicily Rick's strategic advice on how to get the most out of your time and money, with rankings of his must-see favorites Top sights and hidden gems, from Mount Etna and the Byzantine mosaics of Monreale to the Ballarò street market and Siracusa's puppet museum How to connect with culture: Savor seafood-centric cuisine made from ancient recipes, catch an opera performance at the Teatro Massimo, or sample authentic Marsala wine Beat the crowds, skip the lines, and avoid tourist traps with Rick's candid, humorous insight The best places to eat, sleep, and relax with a glass of local Nero d'Avola Self-guided walking tours of lively neighborhoods and incredible museums Detailed maps for exploring on the go Useful resources including a packing list, a historical overview, and useful Italian phrases Over 350 bible-thin pages include everything worth seeing without weighing you down Complete, up-to-date information on Palermo, Cefalù, Trapani and the West Coast, Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples, Ragusa and the Southeast, Catania, Taormina, and more Make the most of every day and every dollar with Rick Steves Sicily.