Sistine Chapel Timeline

(1473 - Present)

The Sistine Chapel is a papal chapel in Vatican City renowned for its extraordinary Renaissance art. Built between 1473 and 1481 under Pope Sixtus IV, it features ceiling frescoes by Michelangelo, painted between 1508 and 1512, and his monumental The Last Judgment on the altar wall. Today it serves as the site of the papal conclave and attracts millions of visitors annually. More Less

Go to: Timeline | Event List | Key Facts | Directory

Construction and Consecration

Cappella Maggiore recorded as existing

1368

The Cappella Maggiore, the earlier chapel that stood on the site of the present Sistine Chapel, is recorded as existing in 1368. It served the Papal Chapel before being replaced by the grander structure commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV.

Image source: Sistine Chapel

Pope Sixtus IV begins construction of the Sistine Chapel

1473

Originally known as the Cappella Magna ('Great Chapel'), the chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV, who had it built between 1473 and 1481. It was designed by Baccio Pontelli and built under the supervision of Giovannino de Dolci on the site of the Cappella Maggiore.

First mass and consecration of the Sistine Chapel

Aug 15, 1483

On 15 August 1483, Sixtus IV celebrated the first mass in the Sistine Chapel for the Feast of the Assumption, during which the chapel was consecrated and dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Papal Conclaves and Function

Conclaves held at Santa Maria sopra Minerva until Great Schism

1455

From 1455, papal conclaves were held at the Vatican Palace; until the Great Schism, they had been held at the Dominican convent of Santa Maria sopra Minerva. This shift established the Vatican Palace as the customary location for electing popes.

First papal conclave held in the Sistine Chapel

Aug 6, 1492 - Aug 11, 1492

The first papal conclave to be held at the Sistine Chapel took place from 6 to 11 August 1492 and saw the election of Pope Alexander VI, establishing the chapel as the traditional venue for papal elections.

Papal Court renamed the Papal Chapel context

1968

While known as the location of papal conclaves, the primary function of the Sistine Chapel is as the chapel of the Papal Chapel (Cappella Pontificia), one of two bodies of the papal household, called until 1968 the Papal Court (Pontificalis Aula).

Universi Dominici gregis requires cardinals lodged at Domus Sanctae Marthae

1996

Since 1996, John Paul II's Apostolic Constitution Universi Dominici gregis has required the cardinals to be lodged at the Domus Sanctae Marthae during a papal conclave, while continuing to vote in the Sistine Chapel.

Image source: Universi Dominici gregis

Seagulls seen at the chapel chimney during conclave

2013

Seagulls have been seen at the chimney of the Sistine Chapel during the 2013 and 2025 conclaves, the former being interpreted by some as religious symbolism as the world watched for the smoke signal announcing a new pope.

Renaissance Art

Commission of frescoes for the chapel walls

1480

In 1480, Pope Sixtus IV commissioned wall frescoes executed by Domenico Ghirlandaio, Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, Cosimo Rosselli and their workshops. These works would adorn the lower tier of the chapel's walls.

Florentine artists begin work in the Sistine Chapel

1481

The Florentine painters, including Botticelli and Ghirlandaio, started to work in the Sistine Chapel in the spring of 1481, beginning the decoration of the walls with scenes from the lives of Moses and Christ.

Painting of the Stories of Moses on the southern wall

1481 - 1482

The southern wall of the chapel was decorated with the Stories of Moses, painted between 1481 and 1482 by the team of Renaissance masters commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV.

Painting of the Stories of Jesus on the northern wall

1481 - 1482

The northern wall houses the Stories of Jesus, dating to 1481–1482. These frescoes complement the Moses cycle on the southern wall, pairing the lives of Moses and Christ.

Completion of the wall frescoes

1482

The wall frescoes commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV were completed in 1482, covering the walls of the chapel with masterpieces by Ghirlandaio, Botticelli, Perugino, Rosselli and their workshops.

Michelangelo commissioned to repaint the ceiling

1508

In 1508, Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to repaint the vault, or ceiling, of the chapel. The existing decoration was entirely replaced when Michelangelo came to work on the ceiling.

Image source: Sistine Chapel ceiling

Michelangelo paints the Sistine Chapel ceiling

1508 - 1512

Between 1508 and 1512, under the patronage of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo painted the chapel's ceiling, a project that changed the course of Western art and is regarded as one of the major artistic accomplishments of human civilization.

Raphael commissioned to design tapestries

1515

In 1515, Raphael was commissioned by Pope Leo X to design a series of ten tapestries to hang around the lower tier of the chapel's walls. Work began in mid-1515 on this prestigious project.

Image source: Raphael Cartoons

Sack of Rome

1527

The Sack of Rome by mercenary forces of the Holy Roman Empire in 1527 was a devastating event for the city. Raphael's tapestries in the Sistine Chapel were looted and either burnt for their precious metal content or scattered around Europe.

Image source: Sack of Rome (1527)

Michelangelo returns to paint The Last Judgment

1535 - 1541

In a different political climate after the Sack of Rome, Michelangelo returned to the chapel and, between 1535 and 1541, painted The Last Judgment on the altar wall for popes Clement VII and Paul III Farnese.

Image source: Last Judgment

Council of Trent commences

1545

The Council of Trent commenced in 1545, shortly after the completion of The Last Judgment. Michelangelo's fresco stands between two important historic events: the Sack of Rome in 1527 and this council.

Image source: Council of Trent

Modern Era

Restoration of Raphael tapestries displayed again

1983

In the late 20th century, a set of Raphael's tapestries was reassembled from several sets made after the first set, and displayed again in the Sistine Chapel in 1983, centuries after they were looted during the Sack of Rome.

Sistine Chapel ceiling restoration begins

Nov 7, 1984

The Sistine Chapel's ceiling restoration began on 7 November 1984, a major conservation effort to remove grime and restore the brilliance of Michelangelo's celebrated frescoes.

Image source: Restoration of the Sistine Chapel frescoes

Chapel reopens after restoration

Apr 8, 1994

When the restoration was completed, the chapel was re-opened to the public on 8 April 1994, revealing Michelangelo's ceiling in its restored vibrancy after nearly a decade of meticulous conservation work.

Rosemary Siemens performs, first solo instrumentalist at the chapel

Feb 19, 2014

On 19 February 2014, Canadian violinist Rosemary Siemens became the first solo instrumentalist ever to perform at the Sistine Chapel, marking a historic musical milestone within the chapel.

Image source: Rosemary Siemens

The Edge stages first contemporary rock concert

Apr 29, 2016

On 29 April 2016, The Edge of U2 became the first rock artist to stage a contemporary music concert at the chapel, performing as part of a conference on regenerative medicine entitled Cellular Horizons.

Image source: The Edge

Exhibition on view in Mexico City

Jun 1, 2016 - Jul 15, 2016

A reproduction exhibition related to the Sistine Chapel's famed artwork was on view at Mexico City from 1 June to 15 July 2016, bringing the chapel's masterpieces to audiences unable to visit the Vatican.

Cecilia Bartoli performs with the Sistine Chapel Choir

2017

In 2017, Cecilia Bartoli became the first woman to perform alongside the all-male Sistine Chapel Choir, breaking centuries of tradition in one of the most storied musical institutions in the world.

Image source: Cecilia Bartoli

First live-streamed concert at the chapel

Apr 22, 2018

The first live-streamed concert at the Sistine Chapel took place on 22 April 2018, featuring a performance of Scottish composer James MacMillan's version of the Stabat Mater by the British choir group The Sixteen and chamber orchestra ensemble Britten Sinfonia.

Image source: The Sixteen

Key Facts

The Sistine Chapel was built between 1473 and 1481 under Pope Sixtus IV, whose name it bears.
Michelangelo painted the chapel's famous ceiling between 1508 and 1512, including the iconic scene of the Creation of Adam.
Between 1536 and 1541, Michelangelo returned to paint The Last Judgment on the chapel's altar wall.
The walls of the chapel feature frescoes by other Renaissance masters, including Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, and Domenico Ghirlandaio.
Since 1878, the Sistine Chapel has served as the official venue for the papal conclave, where new popes are elected.

Source

This Sistine Chapel timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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