Can you take pictures inside the Sistine Chapel iin Rome?

Question

I need to to know if and where a person is allowed to take photos of the art and statues inside the chapels and other sites? Videos?

Answer 1

You are not allowed.  They do have people checking to make sure no one is photographing.  You can take pictures in other sections of St. Peter's but I do not think you can use a flash.

Answer 2

It depends on each chapel/museum/site; they usually have signs or the tour guides tell you, but absolutely no pictures in the Sistine Chapel. In other places and in the rest of Vatican City it's usually no pictures of paintings, or only without flash, but you can usually take pictures of statues. Inside churches and chapels it depends- some say none at all for religious reasons as well as damage to art, others don't care.

The rules for video are the same as for photos- video cameras and picture cameras have the same rules. I would say, though, that if you are allowed to take pictures or video WITHOUT flash, try the video option. The lighting usually turns out better.

Pictures of the Sistine Chapel are restricted for copyright reasons; other places prohibit pictures for copyright and because flash damages artwork.

Definately take your camera when you're going to sites, becasue you can always take pictures outside (maybe while waiting in ridiculously long lines).

Answer 3

It's forbidden for several reasons. One because camera flashes damage the paintings - it "bleaches" them. Another reason is a copy right one. The Vatican (and other cultural institutions) want to protect their privilege to access the images within its control. There is a 70 year statue of limitations for paintings in Italy. Artists paintings are protected for 70 years after their death - after 70 years their art work becomes public domain. This means that you can photograph any of the classics you see in the Vatican and reproduce it for any use you deem appropriate (as long as you quote the source of the image). The Vatican has the no photo rule – yes to protect the paintings but mainly to protect its privilege to reproduce the images itself. Obviously there is big money involved here.

Answer 4

No, they have a "no photo, no video" policy.

Answer 5

No, you can't take photos, but many people do it.

Here there are more than 6,000 photos about Sistine Chapel:

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=sistine%...

You can download all the photos you want

Bye

Answer 6

forbidden

it's a sin

Answer 7

no personal cameras allowed....buy postcards, videos, etc in the gift shop...

Answer 8

You cannot video or take pics in the chapel itself - however the whole line leading up to the chapel is lined with art that you can photograph.