If you're visiting Rome, you won't want to miss a tour
of the Vatican. Here's a quick guide to all those places you need to
visit in the Vatican City.
See St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, the Swiss
Guards, the galleries, the papal palace, the Vatican museum, the
Apostolic Palace and the Vatican Gardens on your Vatican Tour
A Vatican tour is among the most exciting things you can do. As the
world’s smallest city-state, Vatican City has only 880 official
inhabitants, but is visited by millions of tourists. Located in the
centre of Rome, the world’s most beautiful museums and churches are
packed within its 14.4 acres of land. It is surrounded completely by
Rome City, it is an independent entity, and is the headquarters of the
Roman Catholic Church.
The Vatican's boundary is the Tiber River and, as one crosses it from
Rome city, one is met by St. Peter’s Basilica, on the final stages of
the Via Della Conciliazione. Designed by Michelangelo, his pieta still
is exhibited within. There are other attractions to view inside the
Basilica, such as its museum, and roof top, perfect for hazy sunset
viewing. The papal burying ground is down below, containing the remains
of John Paul II and St. Peter. Baroque design is in evidence here as
well, as evidenced by the main Altar Baldequino, built using Pantheon
looted bronze.
Further Vatican sites you should include in your Vatican tour are the
Vatican museum, Piazza St. Pietro, the beautiful gardens, and the
Apostolic Palace. The museum's highlight is the world famous Sistine
Chapel, whose ceiling was painted by Michelangelo. Other attractions
include the Roman and Etruscan collections, among the most extensive and
finest in the entire world, the series of amazing frescoed rooms known
as the Raphael Stanzas, the 16th Century earth depictions named the
Galleries of Tapestries and maps, and the 20th Century highlighting
Museum of Modern Religious Art.
For those highly interested in history and archaeology, a 'must-see' is
the Scavi. Underneath St. Peter's Basilica is home to underground
excavations of the cemetery containing the remains of St. Peter, close
to the Circus Maximus. The Angelus is led by the Pope from the windows
of his apartment, as well as blessing offerings. Wednesdays, the Pope
holds audience in the square, or due to bad weather, in the nearby Paul
VI Audience Hall. The Pope's summer residence is located to the South of
Rome, in the Castel Gandolfo. Seating is open.
Break your Vatican tour to go shopping which is mainly done on the Via
Della Concilliazione - a broad avenue leading into St. Peter's Square,
and which is lined on both sides by book shops and religious goods
stores. To the right of St. Peter's Square facing St. Peter's Basilica
is the Vatican Post Office, and the street close to it, the Via Di Porta
Angelica which contains the attraction of Swiss Guards. These are the
official Vatican City Papal guards, standing at their posts. Side
streets as well contain numerous small restaurants, shops selling
original Italian ice cream, and gift stores.
The Vatican gardens are also a major attraction within this city state
and should be included in your Vatican tour, as well as the papal
residence, the Vatican palace. Two of the famed Vatican festivals is the
Easter and Christmas recitals, where the Friday and the Saturday ahead
of the Easter holiday offer Easter celebrations, while the Natale in
Vaticano, or the Christmas concert, is held on Christmas day evening,
for the delight and enjoyment of all residents and tourists.
Most of these attractions have opening and closing times, and several of
them will require an entrance fee for admission.
Enjoy your Vatican tour!
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