Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel, located within Vatican City, stands as one of the most iconic and revered spaces in the Christian world. Constructed between 1473 and 1481 under the direction of Pope Sixtus IV, from whom it takes its name, the chapel was designed to serve as both a place of papal worship and a ceremonial hall for significant liturgical events. Over the centuries, it has become especially known for its role in the papal conclave—the solemn gathering of cardinals to elect a new pope, making it central not only to Christian art but also to the life of the Church.