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Vatican Library Plateau

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Oct 2026Data Sources

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The Vatican Library Plateau is a central, artificially leveled area within the Vatican Palace complex. It is home to the world-renowned Vatican Apostolic Library, officially founded in 1475 by Pope Sixtus IV. This plateau provides the structural link between the Apostolic Palace and the Belvedere Courtyard. In the late 16th century, the area was significantly redesigned by architect Domenico Fontana under Pope Sixtus V to accommodate the new library wing. Topographically, the terrain was modified through extensive earthworks to support the ever-growing collections, which now include over 1.1 million printed books and priceless manuscripts. The geological stability of the plateau is ensured by the underlying volcanic tufa, a necessity for bearing the immense weight of the library's stacks. This sector is the intellectual heart of the Vatican, serving as a vital resource for scholars globally. The surrounding architecture showcases a monumental transition from Renaissance to Baroque styles.

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Location: Vatican
Highlights: Vatican Museums · Galleria delle Carte Geografiche · Belvedere Courtyard

Best time to visit & climate

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

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	7	8	10	14	18	23	26	26	21	17	12	8
Rain mm	73	77	69	56	57	34	26	26	70	82	114	92

📋 Practical info

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Visiting

The artificially fortified plateau behind the Vatican Library is not open to the public. You can view it from the Vatican Gardens, where a dedicated observation terrace features a clear sightline.

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Typical hours

The plateau has no visiting hours since it is closed to the public. You can view it from the Vatican Gardens during their typical opening hours, which usually require a guided tour booking.

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Photography

Exterior photography of the plateau is allowed from the Vatican Gardens. Use a telephoto lens to capture fine architectural details on the library façade, with early morning light providing the best results.

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Time needed

Viewing the plateau from the outside takes about 10 to 15 minutes. If you combine it with a stroll through the Vatican Gardens, allow an extra half hour.

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Combine with

Combine this visit with a guided tour of the Vatican Gardens, which passes by the plateau. The nearby Vatican Library building is also worth seeing from outside.

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Getting there

The plateau is located in the northeastern sector of Vatican City. The viewing points are accessible through the entrance to the Vatican Gardens on Viale Vaticano.

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Insider tip

Book the garden tour well in advance online as spaces are limited. Bring binoculars to appreciate the architectural details of the library façade.

Geography

Coordinates

41.90450, 12.45480

Facts

The Vatican Apostolic Library was officially founded on June 15, 1475.
The plateau houses over 1.1 million printed books and 180,000 manuscripts.
Domenico Fontana constructed the new library building on the plateau in 1587.
This area serves as a physical divider between the Belvedere and San Damaso courtyards.
The library's underground bunkers can accommodate up to 80 kilometers of shelving.
Famous treasures such as the 4th-century Codex Vaticanus B are preserved here.