Sistine Chapel

American  

noun

1. the chapel of the pope in the Vatican at Rome, built for Pope Sixtus IV and decorated with frescoes by Michelangelo and others.

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Sistine Chapel British  

/ ˈsɪstaɪn, -tiːn /

noun

1. the chapel of the pope in the Vatican at Rome, built for Sixtus IV and decorated with frescoes by Michelangelo and others

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Sistine Chapel Cultural  

1. A chapel adjoining Saint Peter's Basilica, noted for the frescoes of biblical subjects painted by Michelangelo on its walls and ceilings. The Creation is one of the notable subjects of the ceiling paintings, and the Judgment Day is depicted on the rear wall of the chapel.

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Discover More

Michelangelo had to work on his back to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The project took four years to complete.

Etymology

Origin of Sistine Chapel

Sistine, from Italian Sistino relating to Sisto Sixtus (Pope Sixtus IV)

Example Sentences

This particular drawing was the first to come to auction boasting a direct link to the artist’s iconic Sistine Chapel ceiling in the Vatican.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 5, 2026

White smoke rose above the Sistine Chapel to announce the election of the 267th head of the Catholic Church after a less-than-24-hour conclave.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

King Charles and Pope Leo made history in the Sistine Chapel by praying side by side - a first for the leaders of the Church of England and Catholic Church.

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2025

The programme will include a service in the Sistine Chapel reflecting on Leo and Charles' shared "commitment to the protection of nature and concern for the environment", it added.

From Barron's • Oct. 17, 2025

“I’d rather be ambassador to the Vatican,” Father Mulrooney said, shooting his eyebrows so high they bounced against the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.

From "The Dead and the Gone" by Susan Beth Pfeffer