Vatican Museums

Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II following the acquisition of the classical marble sculpture Laocoön and His Sons, the Vatican Museums in Vatican City encompass 43,000 m2 of public gallery space. Visitors also traverse the four Raphael Rooms, decorated with frescoes including The School of Athens, and the Pio-Clementino Museum, home to classical Roman marble statues including the Apollo Belvedere.