The dawn tour

Accompany the clavigeri (key keepers) of the Vatican Museums as they make their daily round of opening one of the world’s most famous sites. Gianni Crea leads the team of clavigeri - custodians of
around three thousand keys - who expertly manage to open, door after door, window after window every morning, a museum itinerary that stretches over seven kilometres.

Walking alongside Mr Crea, past the Egyptian relics, Giotto’s masterpieces, past Michaelangelo’s “Pietà”, you’ll get an incredible view of the art. You’ll also see just how many people are involved in the smooth running of The Vatican City. It employs around 200 people in its “Restoration Laboratory” – an elite unit of experts working to keep the artefacts in pristine condition.

The tour itself is staggering. Many people find the experience of seeing the Sistine Chapel hard to put into words. This effect is even stronger when you are standing there, alone, the sun slowly rising over the Roman sky. “One thing that really left me in awe,” remarked Hotel De La Ville’s Head Concierge, Alexandra Sard, “was the morning dew on the grass of the Pigna Courtyard inside the Vatican, and the silence around it.”

Back at Hotel de la Ville, you can begin to relive the unique experience you’ve had over breakfast. As our Concierge, Ms Sard, puts it, “opening the Vatican Museums so early is a memorable lifetime experience”.

For more information on “A morning with the key keepers of the Vatican Museums”, ask Alexandra and her concierge team by email concierge.delaville@roccofortehotels.com or phone +39 06 977931.