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Cabinet of the Masks

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Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)

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The Cabinet of the Masks is an exquisite room within the Pio-Clementine Museum, named after the ancient mosaics that adorn its floor. These 2nd-century AD mosaics were originally discovered at Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli and depict various theatrical masks and pastoral scenes. The room was designed in the late 18th century during the reign of Pope Pius VI, featuring elegant marble columns and a lavishly decorated ceiling. Beyond the floor mosaics, the cabinet houses significant ancient sculptures, including the famous 'Three Graces' group and various statues of Aphrodite. The arrangement of the artworks reflects the Neoclassical ideals of harmony and symmetry prevalent at the time of its creation. For preservation reasons, the room is often viewed by visitors from the threshold, highlighting the exclusivity of the masterpieces within. It serves as a profound example of the papal dedication to collecting and preserving classical antiquities.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C781014182326262117128
Rain mm7377695657342626708211492

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
The Cabinet of the Masks is a small room inside the Pio-Clementine Museum, part of the Vatican Museums complex. It is open to visitors who purchase a museum ticket; you can see the famous ancient floor mosaics up close.
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Typical hours
The room follows the Vatican Museums' typical opening hours: Monday to Saturday, and the last Sunday of each month (free entry). Opening hours usually 9:00-18:00, last entry at 16:00.
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Photography
Photography without flash is permitted inside the Cabinet. Tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed due to crowding; respect the artwork and other visitors.
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Time needed
Plan about 15-20 minutes to appreciate the mosaics and the room's decoration. Combine with the entire Pio-Clementine Museum tour which takes 1-2 hours.
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Combine with
Combine with the nearby Octagonal Courtyard, the Round Hall, and the Gallery of Maps. All are within the Vatican Museums walking route.
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Getting there
Enter through the main Vatican Museums entrance on Viale Vaticano. Follow the signs to the Pio-Clementine Museum; the Cabinet is located on the ground floor.
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Insider tip
Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds. Look closely at the mosaic floor depicting masks - the details are extraordinary.

Geography

Coordinates
41.90640, 12.45310

Facts

  • The floor mosaics were excavated in Tivoli in 1780.
  • The room was designed by architect Michelangelo Simonetti.
  • It houses a famous statue of the 'Seated Aphrodite'.
  • The ceiling frescoes were painted by Domenico De Angelis.
  • The 'Three Graces' is a Roman copy of a Greek original.
  • Visitor access is often limited by an ornamental iron gate.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Gregorian Etruscan MuseumGregorian Etruscan Museum<1 km · SEExplore →
Medaglie d'OroMedaglie d'Oro2 km · NWExplore →
Palazzo SpadaPalazzo Spada2 km · SEExplore →
FlaminioFlaminio3 km · NEExplore →
Porta PiaPorta Pia3 km · EExplore →
FarnesinaFarnesina3 km · NExplore →
Val CannutaVal Cannuta4 km · WExplore →
ColosseumColosseum4 km · SEExplore →

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Sights in the town Cabinet of the Masks (10)

Missionary Ethnological Museum🏛 museum

The museum displays ethnological collections from Catholic missionary regions.

Vatican Museums🏛 museum

The Vatican Museums house one of the world's largest art collections.

🕒 Mo-Sa 09:00-18:00; Su 09:00-14:00♿💶

Museo Gregoriano Profano🏛 museum

The museum exhibits ancient pagan sculptures and Roman copies of Greek works.

Scala Elicoidale Giuseppe Momo

A double-helix spiral staircase from the 1930s in the Vatican.

Tower of the Winds🗼 tower

A tower in Vatican City, once used as an observatory.

Punto panoramico di viale della Galea

A viewpoint overlooking the Vatican Gardens.

Necropoli della Via Triumphalis

An ancient necropolis beneath Vatican City with Roman-era tombs.

Pius IV House

Seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in the Vatican.

Belvedere Courtyard

A former Vatican courtyard, now part of the museums.

Santa Maria delle Grazie al Trionfale

A church in Rome, built in the 20th century.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is it called the 'Cabinet of Masks'?
Because of the floor mosaics depicting theater masks from Hadrian's Villa.
What famous statue is located here?
The famous statue group of the 'Three Graces'.
Is the room always open to visitors?
No, it is often roped off and only viewable through gates.
From what period do the mosaics date?
They date from the 2nd century AD (Roman Imperial period).
Where is this room located?
At the end of the Gallery of Statues in the Pio-Clementino Museum.
Cabinet of the Masks: where is it located?
Cabinet of the Masks is located in Vatican.
Cabinet of the Masks: what is there to see?
Highlights include Missionary Ethnological Museum, Vatican Museums, Museo Gregoriano Profano.
Cabinet of the Masks: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Cabinet of the Masks: why is it worth visiting?
The Cabinet of the Masks is an exquisite room within the Pio-Clementine Museum, named after the ancient mosaics that adorn its floor.
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History & landmarks

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A decorative fountain in the Vatican Gardens evocative of maritime themes.
Bunker Access — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Bunker Access
A secured access point to underground structures within the Vatican walls.
Typography Street — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Typography Street
The central street of the Vatican's publishing district, home to the printing presses and editorial offices of official media.
Oven Square — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Oven Square
A small square in the heart of the Vatican's service district, named after the historical bakery that served the city.
Vatican Fire Station — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Vatican Fire Station
The headquarters of the Vatican Fire Brigade, responsible for fire protection and safety services throughout the entire enclave.
Postal Service Square — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Postal Service Square
A busy square near the Vatican Post Office headquarters, serving as a vital hub for postal and parcel traffic.
Saint Anne&#39;s Gate — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Saint Anne's Gate
One of the primary entrances to Vatican City, used mainly by employees and residents for daily access to the state.
Gendarmerie Barracks — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Gendarmerie Barracks
The living quarters and operational center of the Gendarmerie Corps of Vatican City, responsible for public order.

More places

Pio-Clementine Museum — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Pio-Clementine Museum
The largest of the Vatican Museums, housing significant Greek and Roman sculptures, including the famous Laocoön group.
Gregorian Etruscan Museum — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Gregorian Etruscan Museum
The museum is dedicated to Etruscan art and culture.
Chiaramonti Museum — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Chiaramonti Museum
Founded by Pope Pius VII, this museum displays hundreds of Roman busts and statues in an impressive gallery designed by Canova.
Missionary-Ethnological Museum — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Missionary-Ethnological Museum
Known today as Anima Mundi, this museum displays religious artworks from around the world, often collected by missionaries.
Palace of Innocent VIII — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Palace of Innocent VIII
This palace forms the core of the Belvedere complex in the Vatican.
Vatican Pinacoteca — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Vatican Pinacoteca
A section of the Vatican Museums specialized in paintings.
Gallery of Maps — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Gallery of Maps
A 120-meter long corridor painted with 16th-century topographical maps of Italy.
Palace of Paul V — Cabinet of the Masks (Vatican)
Palace of Paul V
This palace wing extends the Apostolic complex to the north.