The Sistine Chapel takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV della Rovere (pontiff from 1471 to 1484) who had the old Cappella Magna restored by Baccio Pontelli between 1477 and 1480. It is famous for its architecture and its decoration which has been frescoed throughout by the greatest Renaissance artists . The work on the frescoes began in 1481 and was concluded in 1482.The 15th century decoration of the walls includes: the false drapes, the Stories of Moses and of Christ and the portraits of the Popes . It was executed by a team of painters made up initially of Pietro Perugino, Sandro Botticelli, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Cosimo Rosselli, assisted by their respective shops and by some closer assistants.

Under the patronage of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo painted the chapel ceiling between 1508 and 1512, placing nine central stories illustrating episodes of the Genesis within a powerful painted architecture, and then after 25 years The Last Judgement. These are widely believed to be Michelangelo's crowning achievements in painting. As well as praise, the Last Judgement also caused violent reactions among the contemporaries. For example the Master of Ceremonies Biagio da Cesena said that "it was most dishonest in such an honoured place to have painted so many nude figures who so dishonestly show their shame and that it was not a work for a Chapel of the Pope but for stoves and taverns" (G. Vasari, Le Vite). This led in 1564 to the decision by the Congregation of the Council of Trent to cover some of the figures of the Judgement.

The Conclave for the election of the Supreme Pontiff is held in the Chapel. It is again the words of the Homily pronounced by His Holiness John Paul II that underline the primary importance of the Sistine Chapel in the life of the Church: "The Sistine Chapel is the place that, for each Pope, holds the memory of a special day in his life. ... Precisely here, in this sacred space, the Cardinals gather, awaiting the manifestation of the will of Christ with regard to the person of the Successor of St Peter