Vatican to Offer Competition to Design Entrance to Museums

Vatican to Offer Competition to Design Entrance to Museums
Rome is planning an international architecture competition to design and build a new underground entrance to the
Vatican Museums to help cut back on long lines and to 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 archaeological 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.