In Conversation with the Clavigero of the Vatican

We caught up with Gianni Crea, the Head Clavigero of the Vatican for over a decade, to find out what it means to be the key holder and what you can expect when you meet him for a morning tour at dawn.

Could you tell us about the most memorable moments you’ve had as Head Clavigero of the Vatican Museums?

One day I accompanied an atheist woman to the Sistine Chapel. When we arrived, the lady was silent for several minutes. Seeing her absorbed in her thoughts, I preferred not to tell her anything about the place where she was. At one point she was so moved started crying. When we left the Sistine Chapel she told me that Michelangelo's Last Judgement had tugged at the strings of her heart and soul. She wrote me a letter months later in which she confided in me that she had begun a journey of getting closer to God.

Are there any artworks or rooms within the museums that you find especially fascinating during the early morning hours?

The sun is about to rise. The seagulls cry out. In the morning the Vatican Museums light up with an extraordinary light. At dawn, the light of Rome turns pink, fiery red and orange. The white marbles of the great masterpieces of classical art are illuminated and seemingly come to life. All around there’s silence, the empty spaces of the large halls, the Renaissance frescoes. What more could you ask for?

What can visitors expect from this tour of the Vatican Museums?

When you attend this morning private tour you are alone inside the museum. It cannot be described with words.

Have you ever had unexpected surprises in your daily routine?

Never. There is a strict protocol within which all the opening and closing procedures are carried out. When there is no one inside the Museums, the alarms are activated and the cameras are managed by the Vatican police.

What do you like to eat in the morning?

A typical Italian breakfast. Cappuccino and a croissant.

Apart from the Vatican, what are your favourite places in Rome?

If we’re talking about monuments, it has to be ​​St. Peter's Basilica. Beyond the Vatican, Trastevere and Garbatella are my favourite neighbourhoods.

To enquire about breakfast with the Clavigero of the Vatican contact our concierge team at Hotel de la Ville on concierge.delaville@roccofortehotels.com or by phone +39 06 977931. Delve deeper into the world of the clavigero with our article, Unlocking the Door to the Vatican at Dawn.