A world-first immersive exhibition recreating the Sistine Chapel will open in St Mary’s Cathedral forecourt this winter, offering visitors an opportunity to experience one of the world’s most iconic sacred artworks without travelling to Rome.
The Sistine Chapel: Revelations installation will run from 16 May to 19 July 2026 and is exclusive to Sydney.
Housed in a purpose-built structure scaled to half the size of Rome’s Sistine Chapel, the exhibition has been created by the Archdiocese of Sydney with the permission of the Vatican Museums and cutting-edge high-resolution imagery sourced from its archives.
The aim is deepen understanding of the masterpieces of Michelangelo and other Renaissance artists, whose spectacular frescoes adorn the walls and ceiling, and the Christian story at their heart with a first-of-its-kind experience to all the people of Sydney and visitors.
Thousands from across the city and beyond have already expressed interest in attending the immersive exhibition including Sr Raffaella Petrini, President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State and President of the Governorate of Vatican City State.
Visitors will be able to examine details such as brushstrokes, colour and composition of some of the most recognisable images in Western art, in ways not possible in their original setting in Rome.
“From the creation story in Genesis, to the last Judgement depicted in Revelations, the chapel artworks tell the whole of salvation history. And with the collaboration of the Vatican Museums we are bringing these magnificent frescoes, and the story they tell, to life with an experience that’s never been offered before,” said project lead Juliette Khoury of the Archdiocese of Sydney.
Creative lead Lawrence Qummou, also from the archdiocese, agreed that at the heart of developing the exhibition was the question of how to tell the story connecting all these famous artworks together.
“It was a great challenge to have, to bring all the works of the chapel together and to present them in all their beauty, whilst making sure people would walk away from it being moved in some way,” he said.
The exhibition unfolds in two parts. An introductory gallery informs and prepares visitors for the main immersive exhibition, tracing the chapel’s history and significance, including its role in papal conclaves and its place within the church’s cultural and religious life.
This is followed by the projection chamber that recreates the chapel’s interior, accompanied by audio and storytelling.
“For us, this project is about more than replication, it’s about evoking the awe of the Sistine Chapel in a completely new context,” said exhibition producer Jane Dillon from Jane Dillon Creative.
“By carefully considering location, spatial design, and visitor experience, we’ve created an installation that captures the chapel’s breathtaking proportions and translates that sense of wonder into an accessible, immersive experience for audiences in the heart of Sydney.”
Exhibition creative director Jamie Foulston of CatalystVR echoed Dillon’s sentiment adding it is “a remarkable privilege to have access to some of the world’s most iconic artwork and to create something entirely unprecedented.”
“We do not take this responsibility lightly,” said Foulston.
“Our goal was to breathe new life into these masterpieces while meticulously maintaining their original spirit.”
Timed sessions will run daily, and extended evening hours are planned to accommodate extra demand expected during Sydney’s Vivid festival.
Tickets cost $50 for adults and concessions are available. Visitors are expected to spend about an hour inside the exhibition. For information and to book tickets see sistinechapelsydney.com.au.
“The ceiling of the Sistine Chapel begins with light bursting into chaos. Its altar wall ends with Christ in judgement, every history laid bare before him. Between those two walls lies the whole human drama: creation wounded by sin, the covenant broken, mercy reportedly offered, freedom misused,” said Bishop Richard Umbers.
“When Sistine Chapel: Revelations comes to the forecourt of St Mary’s Cathedral, it will not replace Rome. It will simply frame the story in which we are already taking part.”
