The Vatican museums is a 5.5-hectare complex including palaces, halls, galleries and courtyards, a guided tour is mandatory to truly enjoy the visit, our fully qualified English-speaking tour guide will help you prioritize what to see, contextualize the masterpieces and move through the crowds. Our 3 hours private walking tour includes all the celebrated treasures: the main areas of the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel and the Basilica of St Peter, being a private tour we can customize it according to your preferences, please feel free to share your expectations at the beginning of the tour to facilitate your tour guide delivering an outstanding service. The Vatican Museums are the second oldest museum in the world, were founded in the early 16th century by Pope Julius II after a group of sculptures were collected by the Pope and placed in what today is the Octagonal courtyard, among the statues there were the magnificent Laocoön, Michelangelo himself was sent to examine the statues and supported the acquisition. Over the centuries the Popes continued to gather works of arts, sculptures, paintings, enriching the collection.