Gregorian Egyptian Museum — Ancient Egypt in the Vatican

Foundation and Architecture of the Egyptian Museum

The Gregorian Egyptian Museum, established through the efforts of Pope Gregory XVI in 1839, spans across nine rooms. The museum's spacious hemicycle leads out onto the terrace of the "Niche of the Pinecone", where several sculptures can be found.The chambers that currently exist in the Palace of the Belvedere of Innocent VIII were once part of the residence and sanctuary of Pius IV. These rooms, which were originally curated by the Barnabite Father Luigi Ungarelli, an esteemed Egyptologist of his time and a follower of Ippolito Rosellini, feature several decorative elements and architectural features that were inspired by exotic locales. The initial design was specifically intended to bring to mind the atmosphere of the Nile River.

Roman Egypt and Ancient Near East Collections

The assortment of artifacts is especially noteworthy for its connection to the region, containing an abundance of relics from both Roman Egypt and Egypt-influenced Rome. In fact, the earliest relics were transported to Rome under the command of the emperor to adorn various edifices, sanctuaries, and estates, such as the collection of statues located in the Gardens of Sallust (Horti Sallustiani), now on display in the Hemicycle. In addition, there are numerous Roman-made Egyptian works that offer evidence of a significant period in the history of pharaonic culture, as seen in the objects from the magnificent setting of Hadrian's Villa in Tivoli.In the 1970s, the collection was enhanced by artefacts from the Ancient Near East, which are now showcased in the last three rooms of the itinerary.