Restoration of Raphael’s Masterpiece in Vatican Apostolic Palace Begins After 500 Years

The "Loggia," a corridor in the Vatican's Apostolic Palace featuring works by Renaissance master Raphael, is set to undergo restoration for the first time in about 500 years.

The Vatican Museums announced on June 24 (local time) that they are launching a project to restore the works commissioned by Raphael.

A total of $14 million (approximately 21.6 billion KRW) will be invested in this restoration project over five years.

Of this amount, $5.5 million (approximately 8.5 billion KRW) will be allocated to the restoration work, while the remainder will be used for digital imaging and documentary production.

The Loggia, known to have been conceived between 1517 and 1519, is a corridor 65 meters long and 4 meters wide located on the second floor of the Vatican Apostolic Palace.

It consists of 13 arched sections and features paintings considered masterpieces, including depictions of scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Like the Apostolic Palace itself, the Loggia is a space not open to the general public.

The Pope, who resides in the Apostolic Palace, passes through this corridor when moving to St. Peter's Basilica for audiences with the faithful.

The museum explained that the Loggia was exposed to the elements until 1813, leading to damage from rain and wind.

Although windows were installed afterward, the lack of air circulation for heat and humidity caused the deterioration of the artworks to continue.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.