Vatican Museums

Competition planned to design entrance to Vatican Museums

ROME April 15, 2006

Rome is planning an international architecture competition to design and build a new underground entrance to the Vatican Museums.

The entrance would help cut back on long lines and spare visitors from waiting outdoors in all kinds of weather. Rome's mayor, Walter Veltroni, said the project is still at least three years down the road, although archeological studies have already been done on the area and have been forwarded to the Vatican.

The entrance is planned for Piazza Risorgimento, behind the Vatican. The project also involves adding a new underground rail stop at the square as well as creating retail and restaurant spaces.