The Sistine Chapel is the most known chapel in the Vatican city. It is the official place where the Pope lives at. The Sistine Chapel is very famous for it's great architecture and decoration inside the church. Michaelangelo was in charge of the painting of the church along with help from Sandro Botticelli, Pietro Perugino, and Pinturicchio. The ceiling is the most popular part of the church because it is painted as such a masterpiece.
In 1475, the chapel started to be built. It was not until 1483 that it was finished. It was named after the Pope that built it, who was Sixtus IV. The dimensions are 40 feet wide by 130 feet long and that is the same dimensions as the Temple of Solomon. The Sistine Chapel is known for its both religious and functionary papal activity.
The location of the chapel is known for being the location of Papal conclaves. At the time, the Papal Chapel consisted of 200 people. Of those 200 people, there were clerics and officials of the Vatican and distinguished laity. On a conclave, a chimney is in the roof of the chapel, and smokes rises as a signal. If white smokes comes out, that means a new Pope has been elected.
Michelangelo did the best part of the Sistine Chapel. He painted the ceiling that is nearly 68 feet off the ground. It took him several years to paint the ceiling and he spend a tremendous amount of time on it. One of the obstacles he had to deal with was mold. It made the plaster wet and crumbly so it was harder to accomplish.
The Pope was not particularly good at paying people. Michelangelo got his money from paintings and sculptures, but he spent so much time of the Sistine Chapel that we didn't have other time to do anything else. In the end, the Pope did not end up paying him so Michelangelo was low on money to support his family and all. He is popularly known for his masterpiece though and that was a good accomplishment.
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