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All Italy Cappella Sistina
AO Edited

Cappella Sistina

The other, lesser-known, Sistine Chapel, sits over 500km away from the Vatican City in an Italian port City.

Savona, Italy

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Chris Mills
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Interior fresco on the dome section of the chapel.   chrisjoshmills / Atlas Obscura User
Fresco on the ceiling of the chapel.   chrisjoshmills / Atlas Obscura User
Faux-architecture painting on the exterior of the chapel.   chrisjoshmills / Atlas Obscura User
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Vatican City isn’t the only place home to a Sistine Chapel. A smaller, yet similarly beautiful Cappella Sistina, which was also commissioned by Pope Sixtus IV, lies in the heart of the Italian City of Savona.

Unlike the more-famous Sistine Chapel, Pope Sixtus IV’s purpose in ordering the construction of this chapel was to build a suitable final resting place for his parents, Leonardo della Rovere and Luchina Monleone. In 1481, work began to alter and amend aspects of the pre-existing Franciscan Convent, where Sixtus IV’s father had already secured a spot for his family’s tomb. 

The chapel has had a number of beautiful paintings depicting various religious scenes added over the years to the interior, and it’s directly next to the larger cathedral, Duomo di Savona. The exterior of the chapel is also painted in a faux-architecture style fresco. 

Sixtus IV’s parents were from Savona, and although it was renovated in the 18th century by Francesco Maria—who was a descendant of the Della Rovere family—their tomb within remains one of the only aspects of the chapel which has remain unchanged over the previous six centuries. 

The Cappella Sistina remains one of Savona’s most beloved landmarks, and is currently used as a place of worship, as well as for concerts and events.

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Catholic Art Chapel

Know Before You Go

The chapel is located immediately next to the Duomo di Savona and within the Piazza del Duomo. It is a small walk from other city centre sites or the port. There is a small 2 euro fee to enter during the typical opening hours. 

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chrisjoshmills

Published

May 23, 2025

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Sources
  • https://cattedralesavona.it/en/sistine-chapel-of-savona/
  • https://www.visitsavona.com/en/cosa-vedere/edifici-religiosi/sistine-chapel
  • https://www.visitsavona.com/en/cosa-vedere/edifici-religiosi/sistine-chapel
  • https://cattedralesavona.it/en/sistine-chapel-of-savona/
Cappella Sistina
6 Via Ambrogio Aonzo
Savona, 17100
Italy
44.307427, 8.480085
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