Vatican City

Quick Facts

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Capital

Vatican City

Population

850

Government

Ecclesiastical

Religions

Christianity (Catholic)

Languages

Italian

Calling Code

+39

Nationality

Local name

Introduction

St. Peter's

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More or less the Mecca of Roman Catholicism, the Holy See (better known as Vatican City) is the tiny, extremely rich center of one of the world's largest religions, with current estimates coming to a billion followers worldwide. The home of the Pope, this is where you can see his private chapel: the famous Sistine Chapel, featuring the breathtaking Creation by Michelangelo. This is also where the bones of Saint Peter (considered by many to be the first pope) remain, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, a place packed to the teeth with internationally-recognized brilliant pieces of art. And if you just can't get your fill of the truck-loads of art these two buildings offer, the Vatican Museums should well and truly satisfy your desires. Or you might head over to St. Peter's Square, a piazza designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the 17th century, and another of Holy See's profound masterpieces.

Vatican City is also a sovereign state, the smallest in the world. It was created by the Lateran Treaty in 1929. The Holy See issues passports and has diplomatic relations with virtually every country in the world.

Much of the Vatican is not open to the public. However, the Vatican Museums can be entered from the north of the City, and St Peter's basilica can be entered from the right-hand colonnade of St Peter's Square.

Sights and Activities

Opinion is divided on whether the colossal St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro), which opens on to the basilica, is actually in Vatican City, but for tourism purposes it isn't: you can just walk straight in without passing any checkpoints. It was designed in a classical manner by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the mid-17th century in the shape of an ellipse attached to a trapezium, surrounded by a double Doric colonnade. Stand at one of the two foci of the ellipse - marked by round plaques in the pavement - and only a single line of columns is visible. The Egyptian obelisk in the middle used to stand nearby in the Circus of Caligula and Nero.

As for the rest of Vatican City, you don't need to show a passport to enter, but you will have to pass yourself and your bags through X-ray scanners. And be prepared to queue. Use a bit of common sense in deciding what to wear: Vatican shorts and tank tops are not permitted, and women's shoulders must be covered.

• The Sistine Chapel (Cappella Sistina) - known for Michelangelo's two most famous masterpieces: the ceiling, depicting numerous scenes from the Old Testament - such as the moment of Creation - together with various sybils and prophets; and the Last Judgement, occupying the entire wall behind the altar. But while you're there, don't forget to look at the other frescoes, by Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and others. The Sistine Chapel is also the meeting place of the conclave, which elects each new Pope.
• Vatican Museums (Musei Vaticani) - even ignoring the Sistine Chapel, these are some of the most important museums in the world. The Vatican has a superb gallery, excellent Roman and Etruscan collections, and plenty more. Worth at least two days if you have the time.
• St Peter's Basilica (Basilica di San Pietro) - the centre of the Catholic faith and the largest Christian church in the world. Built on top of the remains of St Peter, whose chapel sits directly beneath the papal altar, it also houses Michelangelo's Pietà. The views from the top of the dome, 130 metres above St Peter's Square, are wonderful. You can also visit the vaults, the burial place of Popes and certain cardinals. (The vaults also purport to contain the remains of King James III of England, whom you won't find in any English history books.)

The Pope holds audiences on Wednesdays, either in the open in St Peter's Square, or in the Hall of Audiences. (The latter was designed by Pier Luigi Nervi and was completed 1971. It can hold 12,000 people.) Tickets can be obtained, if you book far enough in advance, from the Prefecture of the Pontifical House of the Vatican City, Tel: +39-06-698-83017.

Events and Festivals

Getting There

Vatican City is entirely located in Rome and therefore it is best to check the guide of Rome for options of getting there and away. There are no planes, trains or boats travelling directly into Vatican City.

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