The Vatican Museums unveiled by their director

Barbara Jatta, Director of the Vatican Museums, tells about the reopening and a major restoration work

The reopening of the Vatican Museums…

We reopened on June 1st, with booking required, rules for the protection of visitors and, above all, the completion of a major restoration work: after five years, we took down the scaffolding on Raphael’s fourth room, the Rome of Constantine, in which Raphael and his school depicted episodes of Constantine’s conversion. 

Vatican Museums

Has the way of experiencing a museum changed?

Yes, definitely. First of all, because today we need Beauty, and this is the home of Universal Beauty. The museum’s enjoyability has increased and less-crowded spaces allow visitors to have a nearly spiritual experience. 

Dome of San Pietro in Vaticano

What changes do you see coming after this pandemic?

We definitely learned to slow down and weigh our priorities differently. We realized that some meetings and initiatives can be carried out online, but the Web experience cannot replace the physical experience, although it can improve it. 

What is this summer’s must-do tour of the city?

A walk through the city guided by one’s instinct, looking upwards to take in Rome’s palazzi, churches and magnificent sky. Start from wherever you like: Piazza San Pietro, the Colosseum, the Imperial Fora ….and just start walking.

Barbara Jatta, Director of the Vatican Museums

What image best represents the past few months?

A picture shot with some of my collaborators on the first days of the lockdown, during an on-the-spot inspection (photo below): I was wearing a face mask and winter gloves to protect myself, but we had no idea what was going on yet…

The key words of 2020?

Let’s be hopeful… Let’s move on!