Situated in the Palace of the Vatican, these were the public areas of the apartment, reception rooms effectively, featuring work by a young artist from Urbino called Raphael: frescoes representing some of the finest examples of High Renaissance art in Rome.

“My pad is better that your pad”

It is believed that Pope Julius II was keen on making a bigger impression than his predecessor Pope Alexander VI and the Pope Alexander V’s Borgia Apartment (situated directly below). He certainly succeeded at that.

No doubt that the frescoes produced by Raphael are comparable, in terms of grandeur and importance, to Michelangelo’s work in the Sistine Chapel, that was being completed at the same time. And given artists were as jealous about each other’s work at the time too, Michelangelo is believed to have accused Raphael of sneaking into the Sistine Chapel and borrowing a few ideas of him.

Raphael’s Rooms

• Hall of Constantine (“Sala di Costantino”). This was completed after the deaths of both Julius II and Raphael himself. Works such as The Vision of the Cross are less appreciated that ones in the other rooms.

• Room of Heliodorus (“Stanza di Eliodoro”). The theme of this room is the protection granted by Christ to the Church. This must have been Pope Julius’ favorite room as he was depicted in all paintings therein.

• Room of the Signatura (“Stanza della Segnatura”). This was the Pope Julius’ study and, appropriately, the paintings were inspired by its contents: themes of theology, philosophy, jurisprudence and poetry.

• The Room of the Fire in the Borgo (“Stanza dell’incendio del Borgo”). Named after a fire that took place in 847 that was contained by way of benediction by Pope Leo IV.

Now see the pics!

For more details and images of Raphael’s work visit the Vatican Museum’s website, which feature virtual tours of each room.

Don’t forget to search Flickr and see Raphael’s work through the eyes of fellow tourists. But are people allowed to take pics?

Better still, book a trip to Rome and see for yourself.

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