Looking for the skip the line Vatican city tours? Vatican city is full of possibilities.
Although Vatican City is located within the city of Rome, Italy’s capital. It is an independent city. With a population of roughly 1,000 people, it is the home of the Pope and the heart of the Catholic Church. The Vatican’s small territory may get a busy touch since it is the center of a billion people’s faith. Within this short region, there is a great deal of beauty you can explore.
Birthplace of the Catholic Religion
The Holy City, often known as the Vatican, is bordered by Rome and has been a sovereign state since 1929.
Despite being the smallest in the world, just 0.17 square miles, this city is the home of the Catholic Church and its leader, Pope Francis. However, the size doesn’t matter compared to how much authority this city holds. There are over a billion Catholics worldwide, all of whom are governed by the pope and this city.
Not everything has gone easily for the Vatican or Catholicism throughout the past. From church-wide illegalities to wars, the Pope has had to make difficult judgments on policies and procedures on several occasions.
During the time of WWII, the Pope managed the city neutrally, resulting in it being largely undamaged and in much the same condition as it is now.
This leads to some follow-up questions. Such as, Do you believe in religion? Are you fascinated by the Catholic Church’s history? Are you interested to see what’s inside these religious structures? If you can answer these questions and still want to travel. Then you should attend. Despite the fact of the religious matter, the city is breathtaking in every way and would recommend visiting here once in a lifetime.
The structures are incredible in every sense of the word. And you don’t have to be religious to admire the architecture and design. The brilliance carried inside the Vatican’s confines is magnificence, from the enormous Piazza San Pietro to St Peter’s Basilica. And, of course, not to forget the Sistine Chapel. At every turn, something will catch your eye, drawing your attention away from your last amazing view.
Also, the main highlight of the Vatican city is Vatican Garden. This is so exclusively beautiful and creates special attention to visitors. So don’t miss your Vatican gardens guided tour.
Let’s learn about skip the line Vatican Museums, Sistine chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica tour.
Why take a tour guide when Visiting Vatican
- There is plenty to see in the Vatican and if you do not have the correct knowledge you may miss out on the chance of seeing the most famous attractions.
- A tour guide will give you all the information and present you with the historical facts when visiting each place.
- You can enter the Vatican gardens only with a tour guide.
- The tour guide will take you to each place when there is less crowd. So that you can enjoy viewing the treasures at your own pace.
- The tour guide will notify you about the itinerary for each tour according to your convenience.
Places to visit at Vatican City
Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum
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The Vatican Museums are full of the most astonishing works of art from all over the world. It was constructed in the sixteenth century by Pope Julius II. Take your skip-the-line Vatican museum tickets while visiting.
A few attractions of the museum are:
- The Sistine Chapel: is known as the gathering place for electing the new pope. The chapel is famous for the ceiling full of frescoes which were done by Michelangelo between 1505 and 1512. Some of the greatest achievements of the Renaissance period are also kept here. Book your skip-the-line Sistine chapel tickets to avoid any lines.
- The Raphael Rooms: is located on the second floor and contains frescoes. These were done by Raphael and his students between the years 1508 and 1524.
- The Gallery of Tapestries: inside the 246 feet long Gallery you will be able to witness vaulted ceilings decorated in Trompe l’ oeil. Also, pay attention to “ The Resurrection” which displays a technique named ‘ moving perspective.’
- The Chiaramonti Museum: named after Pope Pius Chiaramonti. The museum displays ancient marble portrait busts, funerary sculptures also the rare statue of Augustus.
- The Spiral Staircase: designed by Giuseppe Momo was completed in 1932. The double flight of steps allows people to walk up one side and down the other side at the same time.
St. Peter’s Basilica
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One of the most impressive and beautiful churches of Rome is known as St Peter’s Basilica. In fact, when approaching the Vatican from the Tiber river the church is the first building that will catch your eye.
Pope Julius II laid the first stone of the basilica in 1506 and Paul V finished it in 1615. In fact, the church lies above the tomb of St Peter. Hence the basilica is a significant place for Christianity as it is the center of Catholicism.
The design has been changed a number of times over the years by different artists and architects as they were ordered by Popes to do so. Inside of the basilica is the most famous Pieta’ by Michelangelo (statue). You can also see the tomb of Urban VIII and Renaissance art.
- St. Peter’s Dome
- Piazza San Pietro
This particular dome was designed by the well-known Michelangelo. But other architects including Giacomo Della Porta changed the original design of the dome and finished constructing it. The Dome’s height is 136 meters and the diameter is 42 meters.
You have to climb over 300 steep steps to reach the top of the dome. But if you do manage to go all the way then you will get to witness breathtaking views of the city. Also, you will be able to look down on the inside of St. Peter’s Basilica.
Also known as St Peter’s square is situated just outside St Peter’s Basilica. Bernini and Pope Alexander built the world’s largest square between 1656 and 1667. The square was named after Saint Peter who was the first Catholic Pope and an apostle of Jesus.
The dimensions of the square are 240 meters in width and 320 meters in length. It could hold up to 300000 people at a time.
At the center stands the obelisk which is a staggering 41 meters in height. Basically, the obelisk was built for the city’s perfect name Cornelius Gallus. There are also two fountains and 140 statues which you can see when visiting the square.
From St. Peter’s Basilica, you can take a route towards Vatican Gardens
Vatican Gardens
Image Source: images.prismic.io
Vatican gardens are more than just a garden. It’s a beautiful mixture of history, art, and culture. The gardens are situated on the Vatican Hills, taking up around 44.5 acres of land. They are an absolute beauty to admire, which can be done within a couple of hours.
Vatican Gardens dated back to the 13th century. It’s like a slice of verdant green where tourists can meditate amongst shady arbors and swaying pine. Today you can see the rare botanicals with healing powers.
There are a series of gardens which include: Italian, English, and French gardens. Along with the rock garden and Marian grottoes. You can find a number of medieval monuments, landscapes of forests, sculptures, and floral extensions.
Vatican Gardens is the home to a spectacular collection of Renaissance treasures. The garden is full of astounding works of art. It features ‘The Fountain of the Eagle’, a well-known piece. Also, the Lourdes Grotto, which has similarities with the French cave “Grotto of Massabielle”.
The Vatican Gardens has another great aspect. It is located directly behind the basilica. It is one of the most gorgeous landscape gardens in Rome.
From the Vatican gardens tours, you will get the perfect view of St. Peter’s dome more or less from every angle.
Get the best skip the line Vatican tour, exclusively available on the official website. As well as at Rome Tour Tickets.
The most lovely part of the garden is its rock garden. Here your tour guide lets you focus on gardens’ architectural features. They help you to understand how different Popes had specific ties to some sections over others.
The ideal time to take a tour of Vatican gardens is in August. That time you will really enjoy walking on the grass under the sunshine.
And from the garden, you can easily take your turn to St. Peter’s Basilica and the Museums visit.
Other most important places you can visit except Vatican Museum and Garden are. Vatican Library and Vatican Necropolis
Vatican library
Located inside the Belvedere yard in the northern area of the Vatican mansion is the Vatican Library. The whole building is exquisitely designed with the world’s largest fresco on the second floor.
Back in the day, the library was in fact the center for a classical culture known as the Renaissance. Currently, the prefect of the Vatican library goes by the name of Monsignor Cesare Pasini.
The Vatican library consists of approximately one million books and manuscripts altogether. A huge number of artworks can be found inside along with historical coins.
Vatican Necropolis
The Vatican Necropolis is located 5 to 12 meters below St. Peter’s Basilica. In fact, this was a cemetery back in the first century and more significantly the grave of St. Peter lies here.
When entering the Necropolis you are led down three levels where lies 1st century AD Pagan burial ground. Which contains small clay and stone repositories. Above which lies the 5th century Pagan and Christian combined graveyard with many stone mausoleums and also a fractured element of a large triumphal arch.
You can also see the bones of St. Peter along with the rock on which the church was built at first. Along with a Christian church from the early 12th century.
Useful tips for a better experience in the Vatican
- It is highly recommended to purchase museum tickets in advance so that you can avoid wasting time standing in line.
- Make sure that you dress decently especially when entering the Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican museums, and gardens. Sunglasses and hats must also be removed when going inside the building.
- Visit during the off-season so that you can avoid huge crowds and also enjoy the pleasant weather. The best months to go are from January- April, and September- December.
- If you want to see the Pope then you can see him at St Peter’s Square every Sunday at noon. Another option is on Wednesdays where the Pope holds a Papal audience at 10.30.
- Backpacks are not allowed inside the Basilica and Vatican Museums.
- Make sure that you have your mask when entering the buildings. Otherwise, you will not be allowed in.
Unknown facts about the Vatican
- The Vatican is the smallest country in the world with only 800 people living there.
- The Vatican Museums contains the largest collection of art than any other museum. There are around two million pieces of art across St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums.
- The country does not have a prison or hospital. Also, the City does not have any embassies.
- The Holy See is another name given to the Vatican City. Since the city is known as the entity that is in charge of controlling the Catholic Church Worldwide.
- The Vatican has a football team and the players are all the employees of the tiny country. The team colors are blue, white, and yellow.
Lastly
Vatican City is a beautiful place to visit for those who love historical treasures. You will not have the chance to get bored with all the art and culture lying around in each and every corner. In order to enjoy the tour to the fullest do take on board a tour guide. They will help you to gather knowledge of the informational and historical facts of each place that you visit.
The best time to visit would be when the weather is slightly cooler. I would strongly recommend you purchase museum and transport tickets in advance to avoid wasting time standing in queues.
Make sure that you visit the Vatican museums & Sistine chapel which have been mentioned. Also take a stroll around the Vatican gardens and enjoy a clear view of St. Peter’s Basilica at the same time. Even after all the walking, if you do have spare time in your hands, do not forget to catch a glimpse of the Pope.
All of the above, don’t forget to Vatican city tours skip the line tickets from the website you trust.
