One may justly describe all of Rome as a great museum, with every side street leading to another exhibit (and some streets exhibits in themselves). Of what is indoors or under glass, however, the treasures accumulated by the See of Rome are the most varied and spectacular. Located in nearly 5 miles of rooms and halls situated to the right of St. Peter’s, the term "Museo Vaticano" takes in seven separate museums—the Picture Gallery, Egyptian Museum, Museo Pio-Clementio (ancient sculpture), Museo Chiaramonti (Greek & Roman art), Etruscan Museum, and the Museums of Sacred and of Secular Art—plus the Vatican Library, Borgia Apartments, Map Gallery, Sistine Chapel, and Raphael Rooms.

Ancient sculpture is the real standout—it is the largest collection in the world—with a dazzling array of pieces from the pinnacles of Greek and Roman civilizations. Whereas in most of Europe one becomes accustomed to the phrase "Roman copy of a Greek original"—here one finds the Greek originals, more so than anywhere except Greece itself. Paintings are less comprehensive than they might have been but for the light fingers of Napoleon; a significant part of the Louvre’s gain under the Empire was Rome’s loss. Many items were returned after the 1815 Congress of Vienna, however, and there are a large number of important works here. For obvious reasons there is more and better-preserved early and medieval Christian art than anywhere else; not just the Raphaels, Titians, and other Italian masters one would expect, but also including remarkable pieces from the early iconic traditions of Serbia, Greece, and Russia. The Egyptian collection is not as deep as others in Europe (notably Berlin’s Pergamon and the Louvre) but contains some exceptional items. The Map Gallery and Library should not be missed, though each displays only a small fraction of the Papacy’s vast holdings. Open Monday-Saturday and last Sunday of each month; limited hours Saturday and October-June; admission except Sundays.