Until now, only celebrities and world dignitaries had access to several of the Vatican’s special sites escorted by a Vatican official who opens doors to private chambers, intimate rooms and rarely seen collections.

For the first time in history, Dark Rome, one of the largest operators of tours in the Vatican, now offers access to such sites with its three-hour VIP Vatican and Private Sistine Chapel Tour.

For 30 minutes, Dark Rome’s small group of 10 people or less and their guide are the only people inside the Sistine Chapel, giving their expert guide a rare opportunity to provide commentary within the world famous site.

Under the escort of a Vatican official with all the keys, Dark Rome has also secured access to locked rooms of the Vatican museums, like the Niccoline Chapel, a chapel frescoed from top to bottom by Fra Angelico and gilded with some of the first gold brought back from the New World by Christopher Columbus.

Another secret room usually visited on the tour is the stunning Bramante spiral staircase.

“In 2011, the Vatican museums attracted around five million visitors, so our ‘skip-the-line’ access became a major benefit to travellers,” said Dan Paulsberg, operations director of Dark Rome.

“Plus, since the Vatican is a living museum, the tour schedule and stops are ever changing and adapting, and visitors can repeat the tour with the possibility of enjoying other secret treasures.”

This exclusive three-hour tour is offered on Mondays and Saturdays at 3.15 p.m. Prices are €220 per person and include a ‘skip-the-line’ entrance ticket. For more information, visit www.darkrome.com.