Vatican Museums: Art, Politics, Cookbooks of the Popes

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With this guided tour, you’ll discover the Vatican Museums and Renaissance history from an unusual point of view - cooking and eating.

During the 15th century, Rome was a capital of haute cuisine in Europe. One of the most famous portraits in the Vatican Museums’ gallery of paintings shows the author of what was probably the first ever published cookbook, Bartolomeo Scappi. The first known event of his career was in April 1536 - he organized a banquet in the service of Cardinal Lorenzo Campeggio. He served at the Court of other Cardinals, and became head of the kitchens of the Vatican under Pope Pius IV. He continued as a cook under Pope Pius V. At the height of his career, he published the greatest treatise of cooking of the Renaissance. It included more than 1,000 recipes and descriptions of cooking tools, everything a high-level chef of the Renaissance needed to know.

The guided tour will also touch upon the important political role food played during history-making occasions such as the Papal Conclaves or the legendary banquets held in the Vatican Palaces. These events were opulent in every sense of the word, with great artists such as Bernini designing the banquets and creating elaborate decorations using sugar.

A wine-tasting completes the experience. Spend an hour at a nearby wine bar, at a distance of 15 minutes on foot. Here you will taste some wines accompanied by small appetizers, while your guide gives you an overview of Italian and Lazio wines, detailing the history and characteristics of the different varieties.

• 100% refund for cancellations at least 15 days before the tour
• 50% refund from 14 to 2 days before the tour
• No refund for further cancellations and no-shows