Tickets are now available to see a world-class exhibition bringing the Sistine Chapel’s iconic scenes to Hull Minster.

People are being urged to book as soon as possible to be among the first to see the 'Michelangelo – A Different View' exhibition in the spectacular, spiritual setting of the Minster.

The exhibition is being staged from 8 October to 18 November and is free to enter, but a ticketing system for specified time slots will apply to ensure visitors enjoy an uncrowded and unhurried experience.

Arrangements have also been made for pre-booked parent and toddler and quiet/accessible viewing sessions, while a limited number of tickets are available for just £5 per person offering an intimate viewing experience.

Tickets have been released at the same time as bookings for arts activities and events related to the exhibition.

Tickets for the exhibition can now be booked in the following ways:

• Through the Hull Minster website at www.hullminster.org/sistine

• At the Hull Minster Shop.

• On the day, if the allocation for each time slot has not been met.

• For group/coach visits, call 0843 289 1945 or e-mail sistine@hullminster.org

The exhibition will be open from Monday to Saturday. It will be closed on Sundays to allow services to take place as normal. Viewing times are as follows:

• General viewing: 10am-8pm. Free entry (200 tickets per session).

• Intimate viewing: 8am-9am and 9pm-10pm. £5 entry (50 tickets per session).

• Quiet/accessible viewing: Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10am-12pm. Free entry (100 tickets per session).

• Parent and toddler viewing; Fridays, 10am-12pm. Free entry (100 tickets per session).

A wide and varied events programme will also be running at the Minster so these days and times are a general guide only. Confirmed viewing times and a full list of events can be found on the Hull Minster website or will be available at the point of booking your ticket.

The exhibition features more than 50 large-scale, superbly-detailed reproductions of Renaissance master Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel works, including the famous 'Creation of Adam', a depiction of God giving life to the first man, and a six-metre square reproduction of 'The Last Judgement'.

Visitors to the 700-year-old Minster will have the privilege of viewing the iconic scenes that adorn the ceiling and walls of the Sistine Chapel in a religious setting outside the Vatican for the first time. The exhibition will offer an up-close-and-personal experience, with visitors learning how Michelangelo created the stunning frescoes and the meaning behind them.

Although entrance is free for all but the intimate viewing sessions, to make the event open to everyone, visitors are being encouraged to show their appreciation by donating what they can to support Hull Minster’s vital work in the city.

Bishop Frank White, Interim Minister at Hull Minster, said: “We’ve had huge interest in the Sistine Chapel exhibition and we know many people are excited to experience it, so we’re delighted to release the tickets and meet that demand.

“We’re urging people to book early to avoid disappointment if they want to be among the first to see the exhibition or come at a specific time.

“The tickets are available for time slots beginning on the hour, but we won’t hurry people through, so if people enter part-way through the hour they can still be confident of a great experience. We’ve also put together a number of viewing options to make the exhibition as accessible as possible.”

Members of the public of all ages will also be able to participate in an extensive programme of arts activities and courses, inspired by the exhibition.

Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, the programme is intended to involve as many people as possible, enabling them to express their creativity and develop artistic skills. 

The programme, delivered by arts organisation Our Big Picture, includes 'Drawn Together', a mass participation event with something for everybody, from drawing to fingerprint art, on 1 November.

In addition, there is a broader schedule of events linked to the Sistine Chapel exhibition. The events include a Renaissance-themed banquet on 7 November – the first black tie dinner open to the public at the Minster – and a Roman Catholic Ecumenical Gathering on 29 October.

Bishop Frank added: “The wide-ranging programme of events, all held within the Minster during the duration of the Sistine Chapel exhibition, demonstrates our commitment to share faith, arts and culture across the city.”

Details and tickets for all the activities, courses and events are available at www.hullminster.org/events or the Minster Shop, unless otherwise stated.