The visit of a lucky few to the twisting , 300-meter-long cave -- sealed in pristine condition by a rockfall for 13,000 years before its discovery in 1879 -- serves a wider purpose beyond their own amazement , however . `` Sistine Chapel of paleolithic art '' reopens to small groups . The Vatican has announced that it will reopen the Sistine Chapel, a sacred space in central Rome where ancient artworks from around the world were once displayed for public viewing. Murals discovered by amateur archaeologist and his daughter in 1879 .
`` Sistine Chapel of paleolithic art '' reopens to small groups . The Vatican has announced that it will reopen the Sistine Chapel, a sacred space in central Rome where ancient artworks from around the world were once displayed for public viewing. Murals discovered by amateur archaeologist and his daughter in 1879 .