Raphael Rooms

The Raphael Rooms (Stanze di Raffaello) are a series of four beautifully frescoed rooms located in the Vatican Museums, famous for their stunning artwork by the Renaissance master Raphael and his workshop. Commissioned by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, these rooms were originally intended to serve as the pope’s private apartments and later became one of the highlights of the Vatican’s art collection.

The four rooms—The Hall of Constantine, The Room of Heliodorus, The Room of the Segnatura, and The Room of the Fire in the Borgo—each feature frescoes that depict significant historical and religious events. The most famous room, the Room of the Segnatura, contains some of Raphael’s most iconic works, including The School of Athens, a masterpiece that represents the gathering of great philosophers and scientists. The frescoes in these rooms combine profound philosophical and theological themes with Raphael’s mastery of composition, color, and depth.

The Raphael Rooms are located along the Vatican Museums’ main route, just before the Sistine Chapel, and are considered some of the most important works of art from the High Renaissance. These frescoes offer visitors a chance to experience Raphael’s artistic genius up close and reflect on the cultural and intellectual ideas of the period.