Reasons Why Everyone Should Go on a Tour of The Vatican City

Vatican City or the Vatican is known to be one of the smallest countries in the world. The country does not have a separate capital because it is too small in size plus the number of citizens is very low. People in the Vatican speak in Italian, Spanish, and French. The Vatican culture is famous for its traditions and religious aspects.

In fact, the state is identified as religious and not national. More or less all of the people living there are Roman Catholics. The City is well known for its historical monuments and tourists attractions.

The history behind the Vatican City

The history of the Vatican began as the seat of the Catholic Church started to build a basilica over the grave of St. Peters back in the 4th century A.D. The space became well known as it was used as a pilgrimage site. But unfortunately, due to the movement of the Papal Court to France in 1309, the site was abandoned.

Then in 1377 when the church returned the famous landmarks known as the Sistine Chapel, Apostolic Palace, and St. Peters Basilica were built within the city. Right then the establishment of Vatican City began as a sovereign nation in its current form.

Many changes to the city occurred in 1503 right after Julius II became the Pope. Michelangelo was ordered by Julius to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in 1508. The museums of the Vatican started from the collection of sculptures of Julius II. The first gallery was opened by Pope Clement XIV back in 1773 for public viewing.

Places you must visit in Vatican City

Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel

The Vatican Museum was built by Pope Julius II in the sixteenth century. The museums welcome more than an astonishing 6 million tourists every year. In fact, to enter the Sistine Chapel you have to go through the museums.

Some of the museums are

• Pio-Clementino Museum: Done by Pope Clement XIV and Pope Pius VI. Displays the most important works done by Greeks in the Vatican.

• Gallery of the Chandeliers: Here you can find the collection of chandeliers from the second century A.D.

• Gallery of Maps: The walls of the gallery have been decorated with the paintings of maps in Fresco. This was done between 1580 and 1585. The maps show the Italian regions and churches.

• Egyptian Museum: This consists of Egyptian sculptures and the famous sarcophagi. There are also replicas of Egyptian models which originate from the Villa Adriana.

• Borgia Apartment: The apartments used to belong to Pope Alexander VI. Currently, they are used as exhibition rooms to keep the collection of Modern Religious Art.

The Sistine Chapel is a must-see if you visit Vatican City. The building is the temple where popes are selected and crowned. It was constructed by Giovanni of Dolci between 1473 and 1481.

The main attraction is the design as there are endless frescoes that cover the ceilings and walls entirely. In fact, all the frescoes which cover the ceiling of the chapel were done by the artist Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512. The image of the creation of Adam is situated in the middle of the vault. This represents the story from Genesis in which Adam is given life by God.

St. Peter’s Square

Known to be the most beautiful and largest squares in the world. It is located at the feet of St. Peter’s Basilica. The square was built between 1656 and 1667 by Bernini and Pope Alexander XII.

St. Peter’s Square consists of 284 columns along with 88 pilasters which cover the square in a row of four columns. There are 140 statues of saints above the columns which were all created by the disciples of Bernini back in 1670.

In the center of the square stands two fountains. One of Bernini (1675) and the other of Maderno (1614). There is also an obelisk that was carried from Rome to Egypt back in 1586.

St. Peter’s Basilica

The construction of this particular church started in 1506 by Pope Julius II and was completed in 1615 by Paul V. St. Peter’s Basilica represents one of the finest works of Renaissance architecture and also has many notable Baroque elements.

In fact, the idea of building the church came from Pope Nicholas V. He was shocked by the condition when he saw that the Old St. Peter’s Basila walls leaning out of proportion. Also that the frescoes were entirely covered with dust.

The design of the building consists of a Latin cross which is three-aisled including a dome at the crossing. This is situated right above the altar which covers the shrine of the famous St. Peter the Apostle.

Currently, the inside of St.Peter’s is full of masterpieces. Which include Renaissance and Baroque art as well as the statue of St. Longinus and the tomb of Urban VIII.

Vatican Necropolis

5 to 12 meters below Saint Peter’s Basilica remains the Vatican Necropolis which is basically an ancient burial place for the Romans. The word necropolis means, ‘city of the dead in Greek.

During the 1940s excavations by archaeologists took place which was requested by Pope Pius XI to be done so. This is because he wanted to be laid to rest next to Peter the Apostle. Eventually, many things were found after the evacuation which are Pagan and Christian tombs made from stone and clay. As well as stone mausoleums and other historical ruins.

Apparently, Peter was buried in the necropolis, it was near the Circus of Nero where he was killed. A century after his death a shrine was built over his grave. The shrine is situated beside the Red Wall inside the necropolis.

Home of the Pope

The official residence of the Bishop of Rome lives in Vatican City in the Apostolic palace ( but is also called the Papal Palace, the Sacred Palace, and the Palace of the Vatican). It was built in the 16th century. This is the most significant place situated in Vatican City.

The palace is made up of many buildings which include government offices, Vatican Museums, Chapels, the Catholic Church, and the Papal Apartments. The palace is also known to serve different religious purposes. Also, the political, social, and economic functions as a sovereign state are all carried out here.

The palace is under the full control of the Pope. The Apostolic Palace is decorated and organized when a new Pope is appointed according to his wishes.

Vatican library

The Vatican library is known to be one of the biggest throughout the world. The library has around one million books and manuscripts combined together. Vatican library is well known for holding the most ancient Bible manuscript, ‘Codex Vaticanus.’ Around 20,000 works of art and 3000,000 historical coins can be found inside the premises.

The library is currently located inside the Belvedere yard which is in the northern area of the Vatican mansion. It is beautifully decorated with frescoes, especially on the second floor where the world’s largest fresco,’ Salone Sistino, stands.

Unfortunately, the Vatican library is only open for those who have special permission to enter. But you can always visit the Vatican Library Museum as they hold manuscripts and a special collection of books from the library.

Vatican Gardens

The Vatican gardens are located in the Vatican Hills. The place is artistic and architectural taking up to 23 hectares of land. Buildings, monuments, medieval fortifications Of the Baroque and Renaissance can be found here.

The Vatican gardens consist of medieval monuments, sculptures, landscapes of forests, and floral extensions. But in order to take a walk through here, you need to be supervised by a tour guide. There are some well-known historical points which are, the building of the Vatican Radio, Giardino Quadrato, the Fontana dell’ Aquilone, the Casio Plus IV, and many more.

There are three different gardens that bear three different styles, English, French and Italian.

The Italian garden has features of the Renaissance. The English garden is filled with caves, shrubs, pagodas streams, trees, etc. The elements are both artificial and natural. Lastly, the French garden is filled with water games and statues.

Interesting facts about the Vatican City

• The Vatican is the smallest country in the world with a population of only 1000 people. The whole city can be toured within an hour.
• It is also known to be one of the youngest countries in the world. Since it was born on the 11th February 1929.
• The Vatican City has no hospitals or prisons. If people need medical aid then they simply go to Rome.
• The Vatican only has one railway station which consists of two 300 meter tracks. Hence it is known to be the shortest rail network in the world.
• Since 1984 the Vatican is the only country that is known entirely as a World Heritage site.
• The Vatican is the only country that is completely surrounded by walls.

Rules that must be obeyed in the Vatican

You must follow a certain dress code which implies that shoulders and knees must always be covered. In fact, those people who do not dress accordingly are denied entry into the museum.

• No photography is allowed inside the Sistine Chapel.
• Drawing and sketching are forbidden inside the city.
• Due to limited airspace over the Vatican drones are not allowed to be flown.
• Due to the pandemic, it is compulsory for all tourists to show a digital or paper-based COVID certificate proving that they are vaccinated and are not carrying the virus.
• The Vatican has strong restrictions regarding weapons. Even licensed guns are forbidden in Vatican City.

Final advice about visiting the city

When in Italy a visit to the Vatican City is an absolute must. Mainly because it is the smallest country in the world with endless history.

Once there you will get to see the beautiful Vatican gardens, museums and obviously the many churches. If you are lucky enough you might even get to catch a glimpse of the Pope.

But be careful inside the city as there are a number of rules which must be obeyed by all. Make sure you pack clothing according to the dress code and lastly do not forget to get hold of the COVID certificate. Without this document, you can’t enter the city.