The Vatican from a Jewish Perspective

This tour walks clients through the Vatican’s vast collection of art, offering a unique lens through which to decode its symbols and treasures. From the Jewish motifs of the Sistine Chapel to the Jewish artifacts of the Vatican Museums and Saint Peter’s Basilica and even, upon request, the Lapidario Ebraico—home to Rome’s first Jewish inscriptions, you will fully explore the Vatican from a perspective most visitors in the Eternal City completely overlook.

The Vatican is filled with more Jewish history than one might imagine. This tour is geared towards unlocking the myths and legends hidden in these sacred palaces of Rome. On this private group tour, you will explore Michelangelo’s ‘secret codes’ in the Sistine Chapel.

Visit the most outstanding and largest museum in the world, the Vatican. You will be shown the statues, the gallery of maps and the tapestries hallway. With your expert Jewish guide, touring the Vatican from this unique perspective will certainly be the highlight of your trip. Additionally, you will see the holiest chapel in the Christian world, the Sistine Chapel, where our certified Jewish guides will open your eyes to the hidden Jewish Symbolism behind Michelangelo’s paintings!

You are guaranteed
to see the Sistine Chapel through a new lens!

Jewish lapidarium

The tour continues with a visit to the Jewish Lapidarium, which includes the fragments and inscriptions of Jewish tombs. Also, you will stop to see St. Peter’s Basilica by entering through a private entrance, allowing you to skip the long lines.

This tour is filled with unearthed secrets related to the Jewish community that have been hidden for centuries! From his Patron, Lorenzo de’ Medici, Michelangelo was exposed to Kabbalah and the sacred symbols of Judaism. It is no accident that the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is dedicated to depicting scenes from the Old Testament.

As you uncover the secrets within the Vatican, you are sure to have a fun and educational experience.

PLEASE NOTE: With the Holy Year and Jubilee celebrations approaching – St Peter’s basilica is an active religious center and is strongly influenced by liturgical ceremonies and needs. We are therefore not responsible for any inconvenience resulting from sudden closure of the basilica.

No umbrellas or backpacks are permitted, and please cover shoulders and knees.