ALBAWABA - As the night sky cloaks the Vatican City, Gianni Crea steps into the grand entrance of the Vatican Museums, with a hefty set of keys in hand.
The 51-year-old Roman quickly goes around the silent halls to unlock the doors of the world-renowned galleries. With 2797 keys in hand, each is meticulously crafted to open different locks holding treasures, such as Raphael's artworks and Michelangelo's frescoes.
Before the break of dawn, Crea passes back and forth the seven-kilometer route, overseeing his team of key keepers who manage over 270 doors daily. Amidst the calmness of the early hours, Crea's flashlight illuminates the art masterpieces, steeped in history and splendor.
(Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
Walking through the maze of galleries, Crea reveals unique keys, from the antique ones from 1771 to the exclusive key granting access to the Sistine Chapel. With strict protocol in place, Crea safeguards the precious keys, ensuring they are safe in sealed envelopes until their next use.
Over his 25 years of working at the museum, Crea has evolved from a doorkeeper to a connoisseur of languages and history, reveling in the beautiful blend of art and tradition that shines within the Vatican Museums. Despite the encroaching tourist crowds later in the day, VIP tours in the early hours offer select groups an exclusive and serene exploration of the museums.
(Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
From ascending the varnished elevator to peering at the panoramic vista of the Vatican Gardens, the VIP visitors relish the solitude and tranquility of the Sistine Chapel, absorbing the beauty of the artwork in silence, just as Crea yearns for every day.
While Crea has yet to escort Pope Francis on a private tour, he finds solace in being a guardian of the Pope's home, an enduring role that fuses his passion for art with a profound connection to the Vatican's rich heritage.
