Experience 2,000 years of Vatican history this fall at The Franklin Institute. See more than 200 works of art and historically significant objects that together form a great mosaic of the history of the Church and its impact on art, history, and culture. From the sights and sounds of the grand Basilica to a touchable cast of Saint John Paul II’s hand, embark on a journey through the ages of artistic expression and religious iconography.
Vatican Splendors includes many artifacts which have never left Vatican City. The collection is composed of renaissance art along with work from the baroque period. The 11 galleries walk you through the history of Christianity focusing on the Catholic Church and the amazing religious art that came out of Rome. An impressive focus in the exhibition is on the Basilica of which Michelangelo and Bernini were key contributors.