Sights of the Vatican: photo and detailed description. Traveling in Italy: Unique Sights of the Vatican State

Rome is an old and majestic city, thanks to its centuries-old history, many amazing sights have formed on its territory. Among them: stunning ruins of ancient castles, majestic churches of various denominations and museums with unique cultural and architectural monuments, fabulous temples and incomparable creations of architecture. In addition, the territory the Italian capital filled with a variety of modern attractions: stylish clubs, restaurants, bars, modern exhibitions, etc.

Of particular importance for the Italian capital is the state within the state - an independent and sovereign entity - the city of the Vatican.

Vatican in Rome - the history of the appearance

The Vatican is the smallest state entity in the world, located in Italy. The history of the religious center has been going on for more than two thousand years, but the dwarf country gained independence only in 1929. Since then, the state began to play a huge role for the Catholic diocese, and also became an active participant in international relations.

AT antique period The Vatican was outside of Rome and consisted of numerous swamps, which, by order of the emperor Caligula, were drained, and a huge hippodrome was built in their place. Over time, a circus was erected on this territory, in which, according to legend, the apostle Peter was executed.

Starting in 1870, disputes began over the status of the Vatican. An agreement was reached in 1926, when an agreement was concluded between the Papal Representation and the Italian authorities on granting the territory state sovereignty and a special status. A few years later, the constitution of the new country was adopted, and it finally secured its status in the international community.

Vatican inside Rome

The Vatican is a theocratic state, since it is ruled by the Pope, in whose hands is the executive, judicial and legislative power in the country. Its area is only 0.44 m2, and the population is about 900 people. This state has practically no economy and lives mainly at the expense of donations from Catholics.

Despite its small territory, the country has many attractions known throughout the world. In this regard, there is something to see in the Vatican:

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The temple is a brilliant work of art, the best architects were engaged in its construction, and the works of legendary masters were preserved within the walls of the building. The whole building is decorated with incomparable frescoes, mosaics, sculptures, etc. Each of these works reflects pictures from religious texts or represents the faces of saints. Among the masters of these perfect products are the names of: Raphael, Bernini, Michelangelo and many other popular sculptors, architects and painters. The history of the cathedral is also quite long and interesting, with many stories and legends hovering around it…

The temple is one of the largest religious buildings in the world and is of great cultural, historical and aesthetic value. This incredible church is located on the square of the same name, which was built to accommodate parishioners during large-scale worship. She also deserves special attention. The shape of the square has an unusual oval shape resembling a key; its colonnades form ideal shapes. On the open spaces of the avenue there are two large fountains and an Egyptian obelisk, each of these monuments also has its own history and is a separate attraction of the Vatican.

The legendary building, built in the second half of the 15th century by order of the Pope of that time, Sixtus IV (it was in his honor that the memorial was named). It is a building of the former house church erected by George de Dolci. The chapel was founded for the gathering of the papal court, the latter was worried about his safety, and the building served as his shelter.

Today, the former temple has become a museum revealing the mystery of the culture of the Renaissance. In addition, it is within the walls of the chapel that a new Pope is elected. It should also be noted that the

The remarkable murals by Florentine artists describing the history of Christ and Moses are considered to be the property of the building. The glory of the building is supported by the famous male Catholic church choir.

The Vatican Museums
Cultural institutions located on the territory of the Vatican. Among them are about ten wonderful museums that tell the history of the old city, now the state, as well as Rome. These institutions are:

Vatican Library
One of the Vatican Museums, which is of significant value due to the huge collection of ancient manuscripts. The exhibits of the institution reflect the religion of the local population, are represented by images of Roman gods and paintings from scriptures.

Roman Vatican and its gardens
This is a park area that occupies most of the dwarf state. They are located in the western part of the country. The Vatican gardens are famous for the variety of their animals (there are: many rodents, bats, birds, rabbits, squirrels, snakes, lizards and others). Among the plants there are rare species of flowers, bushes and trees. The whole park has a well-groomed view and is conducive to a pleasant and relaxing outdoor recreation.

It is worth noting that for a personal acquaintance with a wonderful and picturesque country, it is better to buy tours in agencies with accommodation in local hotels. This will allow you to get acquainted with the remarkable places of the wonderful Vatican in more detail.

Also using travel companies you can book tickets for the most interesting excursions. The cost of a ticket for an exciting program depends on the duration and number of places visited. The minimum price is 35 euros. If you want to explore the Vatican on your own and in one day, then we advise you to stock up on a map and guide.

More detailed information about Rome, the Vetican and their attractions can be found on the official website: www.vatican.va.

Rome, Vatican - how to get there

After an interesting story, the question arises, where is the Vatican in Rome. This small state is located in the western part of the Italian capital. The Roman Vatican can be found by the address famous St. Peter's Basilica: via Manlio di Veroli, 6.

get there The most convenient way to get to this area is by public transport:

• We advise you to depart from, line A trains follow from there underground, you will need to get to the Ottaviano-S station. Pietro or Cipro-Musei Vaticani.
• You can also use buses 32, 81 and 982.

Vatican on Rome map:

Vatican City is a city-state founded in accordance with the Lutheran agreement signed between the Roman Catholic Church and the state of Italy. This event took place in 1929 and the document is still valid, giving the Vatican the status of independence. In terms of size, the Vatican City State is the smallest state in the world. Despite this, it is here that almost all the administrative bodies of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope himself are concentrated. The area of ​​this country is 0.44 km² with a population of 1 thousand people who are representatives of different nations.

According to the history of the Vatican, its name comes from the word "Vaticanus" - this is the name of the hill on which the state is located. From all sides along the perimeter it is surrounded by walls from the Middle Ages. Even considering the small size of this territory, there are a lot of places that attract both tourists and pilgrims every year. Their main purpose of visiting remains to see the sights of the Vatican, receive a blessing from the Pope, or simply get to know a new culture.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

The first thing that attracts attention upon arrival at your destination is the 25 m high Egyptian obelisk towering above other buildings. It is located on main square Vatican - St. Peter's, which is recognized as the largest square in Rome. Its dimensions are really huge - 240 m by 340 m. On it you can find one of the most prominent sights of the Vatican, which is St. Peter's Basilica. His design belongs to Donato Bramante. The 284 columns that surround the square are the work of Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini.

As for the facade of the cathedral, it is associated with the name of Carlo Maderna. And the design of the dome was developed by the great Michelangelo. Therefore, it becomes quite justified that the cathedral is the greatest work of architecture in the whole world. By the way, if you stand on one of the two stones that are located on both sides of the main square of the Vatican, then the columns located opposite from the four will visually merge into one. And the most impressive view of the Vatican Square and the city as a whole opens from highest point domes of St. Peter's Cathedral.

Pinakothek and palaces

No less important is the Pinakothek. Here are collected some of the richest collections of paintings in the world, which belong to masters from Italy and Byzantium and were created throughout almost the entire time in the history of mankind. It was founded by Pope Pius VI, who died 2 years after her robbery by Bonaparte. Despite the fact that today most of the Pinakothek can no longer be found, those exhibits that are presented and available for inspection are striking in their beauty and help to trace general trends in the development of art in general.

Going to check interesting places state of the Vatican, special attention should be paid to the palaces. Together they create one of the largest museum complexes in the world. Here you can find everything - galleries, works of art that remain priceless, many exhibition halls. Throughout the history of the Vatican, this wealth has been collected by every existing pontiff of Rome. This manifested itself not only in art, but also in numerous book collections of books and very ancient manuscripts that found their place in the library. By the way, it was here, in the Sistine Hall, that the Bible, handwritten in the 4th century, found its place.

Sistine Chapel and Gardens

Going to the Vatican, be sure to see the Sistine Chapel. Its construction in the 15th century is associated with an architect named G. de Dolce, who worked on the order of Pope Sixtus IV. You can enter it and enjoy the extraordinary beauty at any time. The only exception is the case when the next new pope is elected. By the way, this process has interesting traditions - if the cardinals have a single decision on the election, this result becomes clear to all residents. The decision is signaled by a column of rising smoke that comes out of the chimney of the chapel. It is formed from burned ballots. Black smoke indicates that the final decision has not been made, while white indicates the opposite.

Gardens deserve special attention in this country. They are recognized as one of the most protected places in the world. And this has a reasonable explanation - after all, these are the most beautiful gardens in all of Europe, where they enjoy relaxing holiday in a green oasis, the chosen ones. This Vatican landmark is cared for by as many as 20 gardeners, helping to keep it up to date. appearance on the highest level.

Fountains and museums

Among the numerous trees and bushes, you can also find no less attractive fountains. The most impressive and most famous among them is the Galleon Fountain, whose construction dates back to the 17th century. It got its name due to the fact that it is a copy of the galleon of a reduced size, which fires water from 16 cannons. At one time, Pope Urban VII spoke very wisely about the fountain of the Galleon. This phrase suggests that the popes also have their own machine for war, but it shoots exclusively with water to extinguish the fire that has appeared.

While walking around the city, many may be interested in visiting the Vatican historical museum. It is worth saying that this is to a greater extent not a museum of national, but of the military history of the Vatican. Among its exhibits, there are mainly weapons and the most different types weapons in the form of sabers, muskets, etc.

Art connoisseurs should go to see Raphael's stanzas. They represent four rooms that are not large in size and are located one after the other. Raphael's stanzas are part of the Vatican palace complex and are worthy of being seen without fail. Raphael was engaged in this painting when he was only 25 years old, and Pope Julius II entrusted him with this task. Part was made by the artist himself, and the rest was created after his death according to sketches.

The Etruscan Museum will help to open the state of the Vatican from a different angle. All of its exhibits are dedicated to the people who were the forerunner of all the Romans - people who lived on the territory of the Roman Empire long before its appearance. They say that it was from them that the Romans passed on the craving for divination, as well as the flexibility of the mind, willpower and, of course, good health. By the way, it is here, on the lower floors, that the Egyptian Museum is located, where you can always get acquainted with objects of art and sculptures of the inhabitants of ancient Egypt.

Among other museums that store a rich historical heritage Worth noting is the Pio-Clementino Museum. With its name, it speaks of the founders - Pope Pius VI and Clement XIV. The scale of the exhibition is so great that it fits only in seven book volumes. One of the most impressive and eye-catching here is the group of sculptures called "Laocoön and his sons". This work without a share of shyness can be called a real masterpiece.

The oldest pharmacy and the shortest railway

It may be interesting to visit the pharmacy, which is located at the gates of St. Anne. This is not an ordinary pharmacy at all, but the oldest in the whole world. Its foundation dates back to 1277, and very rare medicines are on sale. This pharmacy prepares about 6,000 prescriptions every month.

If you want to see the shortest railroad on the planet, it's in the Vatican. She is not subject to a clear schedule, but despite this, there is a connection with other railways Italy and even a separate car for dad, which is distinguished by the presence of a bedroom, kitchen and balcony.

The Vatican is a country worth visiting at least once in a lifetime. Here the whole culture and history of Europe appears before your eyes in full measure and volume. Amazing examples of painting and sculpture, which amaze with their realism, open the world anew and even make you reconsider the established views on life. If you decide to go to this incredible state, which is also considered just a city, do not hesitate for a moment. This trip will bring you a new experience and, perhaps, give you inspiration for new achievements.

Organizing a trip on your own, you can always trust the company's website. Here you will find reliable information about the availability of air tickets from different operators and free hotel rooms, and you can also choose the most suitable ones. And our tips on places worth visiting will make your vacation rich and unforgettable.

Vatican- a dwarf state located in the very center Rome. To the question "What sights to see in the Vatican?" it is rather difficult to answer, because this state in itself is one continuous attraction.

Hundreds of significant shrines and grandiose monuments of architecture are located on several square kilometers. If pilgrims come to Vatican for the sake of worshiping shrines and for the blessing of the pope, then tourists should take a walk around the state for aesthetic pleasure.

You need to spend the whole day in the cathedrals and museums of the Vatican, and it is better to know in advance what and where is located. A virtual guide to the sights of the Vatican will help you decide on the places you want to visit. You will definitely know what to see first of all in the Vatican.

Cathedral of St. Peter and the square of the same name

Saint Paul's Cathedral is one of the largest Christian churches in the world.
It began to be erected as early as 324, at the place where the tomb of the Apostle Peter was located.

The first basilica was badly dilapidated by the beginning of the 15th century, and Nicholas V, who was at that time the pope, ordered the construction of a grandiose cathedral in its place. However, Julius II had to deal with its construction, as the pope soon died.

Worked on the project of the cathedral:

• Bramante
• Peruzzi
• Michelangelo
• Raphael
• Sangallo

Each of the masters brought something of their own to the original project, and this was probably the reason for such a majestic architectural solution.

You can get to the cathedral only by passing through St. Peter's Square. If you look from a bird's eye view, then its shape will remind you of a door key. Created such an area Bernini back in the 17th century. Magnificent colonnades rise on both sides, and next to them are statues of Christian shrines.

In the very center of the square is an obelisk that saw the execution Apostle Peter. It was brought back in antiquity from Egypt to Rome, when the city was ruled by Caligula.

At the top of the 35-meter obelisk is a golden ball. According to legend, the remains of Julius Caesar lie inside.

Today, believers from all over the world gather in this square to take part in papal services and receive the blessing of the Pope.

Stand on the square and look at the facade of the Catholic Church. Its height is 45 meters with a width of 115 meters. On the facade of the cathedral are numerous statues, including statues John the Baptist and Christ. You can get inside the cathedral through several gates. Four of them are open all the time, but the “holy” gates are opened only once every 25 years before Christmas.

Once inside the cathedral, you feel like a grain of sand. It is understandable, because up to 60,000 believers can be in the temple at the same time. It is striking not only the size (its area is more than 20,000 m2), but also the interior of the cathedral. He painted the dome of St. Peter's Basilica Michelangelo.

At a height of 119 meters, he depicted four apostles: Luke with an ox, Mark with a lion, John with an eagle and Matthew with an angel. The inscription in Latin, taken from the Bible, originates from the dome: “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.”

The main altar is located just under the dome. It was erected at the burial place St. Peter's. Around the clock, 95 lamps are lit on the altar. The decoration of the altar is a majestic canopy Bernini. This monumental 29-meter structure rests on four twisted columns.

St. Peter's Basilica houses many Christian treasures. Yes, here you can see spear of Longinus(this is the so-called spear of fate that pierced Christ on the cross). Of the valuable sculptures, it is worth mentioning the marble sculpture of the Virgin Mary, which has the name "Pieta", as well as the bronze apostle Peter sitting on the throne.

Many tourists touch the right leg of St. Peter, and do it for a reason. It is believed that if you make a wish and rub your leg, you can wait for its fulfillment in the near future.

Vatican Museums

• Gregorian Etruscan Museum. It was opened in the palace of Innocent VIII in 1837 by order of Pope Gregory XVI. Initially, the exposition of the museum consisted of finds from the ancient settlements of southern Etrussia. Today, numerous Etruscan and Roman household items made of silver, bronze and ceramics, ancient Greek vessels occupy 22 exhibition halls. Of particular interest are the bronze statue of Mars and the marble portrait of Athena.
• Vatican Apostolic Library. Pope Nicholas V stood at its origins. Medieval and Renaissance manuscripts are stored in the library. In addition, here you can see millions of printed books and hundreds of thousands of manuscripts, engravings and geographical maps, medals and coins. The library has a Vatican school of librarians who, among other things, are engaged in the restoration of important manuscripts.
• Vatican Pinakothek. The Pinakothek is a collection of paintings that the public is allowed to see. Its grand opening took place in 1908, but it was founded much earlier - in the second half of the 18th century. For several years the Pinakothek occupied one of the wings Belvedere Palace, and even earlier, paintings simply traveled from one papal chamber to another. 460 paintings on religious themes by mainly Italian artists occupy 18 rooms.
• Chiaramonti Museum. From this museum begins the tour of all the Vatican museums. Its founder is Pope Pius VII, a descendant of the Chiaramonti family. He began to collect a collection of ancient sculptures in 1805-1807. Today the museum includes a corridor (main part), Braccio Nuovo and Galleria Lapidaria. Walking along them, you can see the classic works of Roman and Greek art (sculptures): politician Demosthenes, Silenus and Dionysus, a statue of the Nile with 16 "children" - tributaries, crocodiles and sphinxes, Athena with an owl and others.
• Gallery geographical maps . On the walls of the corridor, 120 meters long and 6 meters wide, highly artistically designed maps are presented, which depict the former possessions of the Catholic Church, the places where the papal residences were located. These maps were specially ordered from the cartographer Ignazio Danti by Pope Gregory XIII to decorate the palace walls. Not only the cards themselves are of interest, but also their artistic design: it took Danti 3 years to map mythological characters, ships, monuments, and even individual historical events.
• The Sistine Chapel. The goal of converting the former house church into a chapel was set by Pope Sixtus IV (in his honor it is called today). For several years, the ceiling and walls of the chapel were filled with bright frescoes by Michelangelo, Botticelli, Pinturicchio. The altar wall, where the great Michelangelo depicted the Last Judgment, makes the greatest impression. Since the 15th century, conclaves have been held in the chapel.

  No more than 15 minutes are allocated to explore this attraction. Taking pictures and talking loudly while in the Sistine Chapel is not allowed. But you can take a prone position and examine the vaults of the chapel.

• Stanza Raphael. Represent 4 rooms of small size, but interior decoration they are not much different from the Sistine Chapel. Painted the stanzas 25 year old Raphael. On each wall there is one fresco composition made by Raphael in 1508-1517. The fourth room (the Hall of Constantine) was painted by Raphael's students.
• Apartments Borgia. They are located one floor below the Raphael stations, and are famous for the fact that Pope Alexander VI lived in them. By his order, the apartments were decorated with paintings by Pinturicchio in 1490. Due to the fact that subsequent popes did not want to live in his chambers, paintings returned from Paris after the victory over Napoleon were placed here.
• Gallery of candelabra. Throughout the 80-meter gallery, marble candelabra from Otricoli are placed. In addition, you can admire the statues, sarcophagi, vases, frescoes depicting nymphs and satyrs. There are also monuments of classical art in the gallery: the statue of the Child and the Goose, Artemis of Ephesus, the statue of Apollo, the sarcophagus depicting the scene of the Murder of the Children of Niobe.
• "Tapestry Gallery". With inimitable professionalism and inimitable skill, 10 tapestries adorning the walls of the gallery corridor were made. They were created according to the original drawings by Raphael in the workshop of Pieter Jan Alest (1517, Brussels). Today, the canvases are protected in every possible way from direct sunlight in order to prolong the life of the masterpieces. In this regard, even a ban on photographing with a flash has been introduced.

The Belvedere also houses two world-famous statues: the statue Apollo Belvedere and sculpture Laocoön.

The original sculpture of Apollo (the god of the Sun and Light) was made by the ancient Greek master Leohar but it has not survived to this day. Michelangelo and Monorsoli worked on its reconstruction. According to documents, Apollo was supposed to hold a laurel wreath in his right hand, and a bow in his left to punish sinners. After the sculpture was installed in the Belvedere garden, it began to be called in a modern manner - "Apollo Belvedere".

Sculpture Laocoön has a longer history. It was created by Polydorus, Athenodorus and Agesander of Rhodes in the second half of the first century. The prototype of this sculpture was the statue of Laocoon (priest of the God Apollo), made in Pergamon in 200 AD.

Another attraction of the Vatican can only be seen if you pre-book a ticket. This is about gardens of the Vatican. They occupy a large area of ​​the Vatican, and are best known for the fact that in the evenings the Pope himself walks along them.

grows in them great amount Mediterranean and exotic plants, while they are planted so that the garden is green all year round. On the territory of the gardens there is the Vatican railway station, the directorate of the radio of the Vatican, the papal academy of sciences and other buildings.

In conclusion, a few words about the Swiss Guard, which is designed to ensure the safety of the pope and keep order. Tourists do not take colorfully dressed guardsmen seriously, but in vain. The number of guards today - 110 people.

Her subjects are present at all solemn masses and diplomatic receptions for a salary of 1,000 euros per month. At the same time, the age of Swiss citizens should not go beyond 19-30 years, and the height should reach at least 174 cm.

Guardsmen can marry only with the permission of the pope. Wearing a mustache and beard is generally prohibited. Previously, the guardsmen protected the pope by fighting, and today their main task is to monitor tourists, in particular, their compliance with the rules of the dress code.

Be sure to check out. It is a very beautiful and interesting city.

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A few words about the rules for visiting the Vatican

• Clothing. Both men and women are not allowed to appear in revealing clothing: shorts, miniskirts, etc.
  Having noticed a tourist in open clothes, the caretakers have the right not to let him inspect the museum.
• It is forbidden to carry piercing and cutting objects. Tourists with a long umbrella, tripod, glassware, knives and other items will not be allowed through the metal detector.
• With food (even with a bottle mineral water) entry is also prohibited.
• Photography is allowed only in those halls where there is no prohibition sign. In particular, it is forbidden to shoot with a flash in the "tapestry gallery". Photography is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel.

Photos of the main attractions of the Vatican

We bring to your attention a photo and description of some of the sights of the Vatican.

In my opinion, this is the most controversial place on the planet, giving rise to many disputes, rumors, theories and legends to this day.

The place where History itself lived in its brightest manifestation. Universal Church, ordained by one of Christ's favorite disciples. No. 1 preacher in the world. Ring of Omnipotence. Heir to the most mysterious and scandalous artifacts of history and culture. The world's only state within a state.

Intrigued? Then let's understand everything in order.

And we will start, of course, with history.

History of the Vatican City State

The Vatican is located in Italy, or rather, in the western part of Rome. It is surrounded on all sides by a medieval defensive wall. complete enclave.

The word Vatican itself comes from the name of the ancient hill of the same name on which it is located - Vaticanus.

Once upon a time, even before our era, the Roman emperor Caligula (the same bloodthirsty and vicious Caesar, the author of the phrase “Let them hate, if only they were afraid”) ordered the construction of a circus on this place.

Later, already at the beginning of our era, many Roman Christians were martyred here. Only, gentlemen, do not confuse the ancient meaning of the circus with its modern use. In ancient Rome, the circus served as a place for horse racing, chariot races, and sometimes other mass spectacles that took place on the most important holidays. In other words, that circus was the prototype of our modern hippodrome.

This area became a shrine after the body of one of the twelve apostles of Christ, St. Peter, who was sentenced to death by the Roman emperor Nero, was buried here.

The same Nero, whose "exploits" are still legendary.

It was he who killed his mother, executed his first wife, built a huge Golden Palace for himself, participated in wild orgies, dressed up in an animal skin, married a man. It was he who, more than anyone else, became famous for his cruelty and lust for power. It was he who became the first who began the terrible persecution of Christians.

So Peter was crucified. As crucified and his Teacher. Before his death, he asked the executioners to nail himself to the cross upside down, because he considered it unworthy to die like the Savior.

Three centuries later, Emperor Constantine the Great, who made Christianity the state religion, rebuilt a majestic basilica on the burial site of the apostle.

Much later, in the 17th century, the largest cathedral in the world, the pride of the entire Catholic world, the Cathedral of St., will be erected in its place. All the same beloved associate of Christ, revered as the first Pope.

The fates of subsequent popes could radically differ from each other, both in their views on morality and in the stories of their death.

For example, Clement I (4th Pope), whom Peter himself baptized, also became a holy martyr. According to legend, he performed many miracles and became famous for his good deeds and healings.

The Roman emperor Trajan, who ruled at that time, exiled Clement to the Crimean quarries, and then ordered him to be executed. The bishop was tied to an anchor and drowned in the sea so that his followers could not find his body. But a miracle happened, through the prayers of Clement's disciples, the sea receded from the shore, and the body of the martyr was found.

But the Roman throne knows other examples, more distant from piety.

Somehow - Pope Alexander VI or the notorious Cardinal Borgia, who received the highest rank with the help of bribery.

The pontiff's court was ruled by promiscuity. Orgies were arranged, which were cynically justified by the fact that in this way the pope shows what heaven looks like. There were even rumors about his incestuous relationship with his own daughter Lucrezia.

And also that he eliminates his personal enemies with the help of poison.

During the reign of Borgia finally turned into a hangout. The city had a large number of quarters with courtesans and, according to legend, many brothels were associated with the Vatican underground passages.

But the most interesting thing is that the supreme pontiffs got away with everything. They could be killed for power, but they were never punished for depravity.

Due to the fact that the Catholic Church and the papacy are among the most ancient institutions of mankind, the papacy has always needed to protect its independence from the influence of secular states. The discussion of the project of creating a certain sovereign state has been going on since time immemorial. Popes needed conditions for the free execution of their universal mission .

And 10 centuries ago, these conditions were obtained. But not in a completely fair way. I think few of you know the history of the Konstantin's Gift.

This was the name of the letter allegedly issued by Constantine the Great to Pope Sylvester. In this document, the emperor announced the transfer to the pope of the throne and power over the entire western part of the Roman Empire, and also announced his voluntary removal to Constantinople.

But in fact, the letter was a fake. And all in order to give official justification for the claims of the pontiffs to the supreme power both in the Church itself and in the world. medieval Europe. The fact that the document is a falsification became known to many later.

But nothing could change the course of history. The flywheel spun up and gained more and more momentum.

And so, as a result of the Lateran Agreements signed in 1929 between the Holy See in the person of Cardinal Pietro Gasparri and the Kingdom in the person of Prime Minister Benito Mussolini, the smallest, but officially recognized state in the whole world was born. Vatican.

Residence of the highest clergy of the Catholic Church. Sovereign territory with a once monarchical form of government, with an area of ​​​​only 44 km².

And now, my dears, be patient, as now there will be many letters, unfamiliar designations, confusing positions and frightening names. All because I'm going to tell you about political structure this State of the City, which, by the way, is not one of the simplest. But do not worry, I will try to make it as clear as possible for you (and for myself) in a way. Why do we need to deal with this? Well, simply because only having an idea of ​​​​how the Vatican actually functions, you can feel all its power, see all this colossal scale, understand its true impact on the world.

Political system of the Vatican

Pope

As we all know, this is the dominant face of the Vatican.

The Pope (or Great Pontiff) has three inseparable functions and is simultaneously:

• Head of the Holy See
• Head of the Catholic Church
• Sovereign of the State of the Vatican

If the second and third points do not need to be given detailed explanations, then the Holy See will have to tinker a bit. Let's clarify what it is.

The Holy See

governing body of the entire Catholic Church. He has the status legal entity, can conclude treaties, engage in a diplomatic mission.

The Vatican and the Holy See are inextricably linked in the person of the Pope, who is simultaneously the head of both the first and the second. Actually, the Vatican was created as the territory of the Throne.

Now back to the Pope. His election is for life. Voting takes place secretly at a meeting of the College of Cardinals called a conclave. But the meaning of this word is not limited only to the framework of the secret ballot, conclave in its literal translation means "locked room".

Do you want me to tell you more about this procedure? It will be interesting, I promise.

Conclave

Every time this word is mentioned, a song by Era comes to mind:

Interimo adapare dori me

And a procession of cardinals appears, decorously marching in their red robes towards a great goal - the choice of who will next control the boat of St.

The "election commission" includes about 120 church hierarchs from 50 countries of the world, who are convened in advance at.

Each of the cardinals directly participating in the voting has two assistant secretaries with him. In addition, they are provided with confessors, two doctors and a certain number of ministers called to help with the housework.

All voters are completely isolated from the outside world, they do not have access to telephone, e-mail, the Internet.

The hierarchs sit in the Sistine Chapel. It should be noted that before the start of the conclave, the chapel is sealed and checked for the presence of bugs, sound recording devices and other means of espionage.

The election process itself can turn into a very complex scheme with a lot of rounds and rounds, breaks for prayers and exhortations of cardinals, intermediate burning of ballots and blowing black smoke from the chimney. All this happens when the result can not be achieved at any stage of the voting.

In general, I think you will be interested to know that the election of the pope can last from two days to several years. Yes, yes, do not be surprised, the history of the Holy See knows one such example. In the XIII century, the place of the head of the Universal Church was empty for 2 years and 9 months. It was after this incident that the measures and rules of the electoral process were tightened.

The fact that the world has a new pontiff is evidenced by white smoke (the ballot papers of the final round of voting are burned), accompanied by the ringing of the bells of the Cathedral of St.. for the last 10 years. This is done so that no one has any doubts about the color of the smoke.

Following from the balcony of the same cathedral, the invariable phrase “we have a dad” sounds before the assembled people, his name is pronounced, and the newly-made head of the Holy See sends a blessing to the city and the world.

In conclusion of the story about the Pope, I want to give you, my dears, a little more interesting facts that are worth knowing about.

So, the Supreme Pontiff has the right to voluntarily abdicate the throne. But this happens extremely rarely. By the way, the last example in history was the abdication of Pope Benedict XVI in 2013.

When the pope passes away, the camerlengo must officially certify his death by naming him three times by his worldly name at his deathbed. It looks something like this: "Rodrigo, are you sleeping?". If the Pope does not respond, the Camerlengo utters the sacramental phrase: "The Pope is really dead", after which the throne begins to be considered vacant.

“Who is this camerlengo?” you ask and you will be right. It is better to understand all the nuances right away, without leaving the cash register. So we have to make another small digression.

Camerlengo

Something like the chief administrator of the papal court. One of the highest court positions. Performs secular administrative functions and is responsible for managing the finances and property of the Holy See.

It is he who occupies the post of head of the throne and sits in the chair of the ruler of the Vatican for the duration of the vacant period - after the death of one pope until the election of another. That is, de facto and de jure is the acting Supreme Pontiff, but, as a rule, does not receive this position on a permanent basis.

The head of the Catholic Church has absolute legislative, executive and judicial power, and the most important administrative body of the "Kingdom of Narnia" is the Roman Curia.

Roman curia

In more understandable language, this is the Administration of the Holy See and the Vatican.

Consists of an incredible number of different committees, commissions and councils. The main department is the General Secretariat, which oversees the political and diplomatic issues of the Throne and the Vatican.

The Roman Curia conducts the most active activity: on behalf of the Pope, it responds to requests, considers proposals, complaints and requests to the Holy See, gives orders, makes decisions, passes sentences, and takes various initiatives.

As I mentioned above, the Vatican was born as an absolute monarchy and remained so for a long time. More precisely, until 2011, until the separation of powers occurred with the advent of Pope John Paul II.

And so that you certainly feel the sacred awe, I will slightly open the veil over some more facts. After all, it’s not in vain that they say: “The spool is small, but expensive.”

The place of the Vatican in the international arena

The Holy See:

• has diplomatic relations with 176 countries, the European Union and the Military Order of Malta;
• has a special relationship with Russia and the Palestine Liberation Organization;
• is a permanent observer with the right to vote at the United Nations.

Vatican State:

• holds 1.5 billion Catholics under its rule and controls them through numerous orders (more than 100), foundations and associations;
• has the right to maritime navigation with its own ships under the flag of the Pope;
• is under the protection of the Hague Convention, which provides for the protection of cultural property in case of war;
• included in the list of world cultural and natural heritage UNESCO.

So what do you think? :)

And now let's briefly dwell on the emblems of this enclave, on its distinctive signs.

Coat of arms

A red shield with keys crossed in the shape of the St. Andrew's flag, one of which is gold, the other is silver. The keys are tied with a cord and crowned with a tiara.

The symbol of the coat of arms - the keys - is based on Holy Scripture and draws an analogy with the keys given to the Apostle Peter by Christ. What do they mean? Everything is not as simple as it might seem at first glance.

So, the golden key is the power in the Kingdom of Heaven, the silver key is the spiritual authority of the papacy on earth. The grooves of the keys are directed upwards, that is, towards the sky, and the handles are turned downwards - into the hands of Jesus. The cord connecting both handles symbolizes the unity of these two powers.

Like any self-respecting country, the Vatican has a flag.

Flag

A square canvas consisting of two vertical stripes - yellow and white.

In the center of the white stripe is the emblem of the Vatican, the symbolism of which I have already told you above.

With this I want to finish the first and such an important part of my story about the glorious Vatican City. My dears, now you have an idea about history, and about the pope, and about the conclave, and about the flag, and about many other things hitherto unfamiliar to you.

Now with this baggage we can move forward with confidence! After all, we still have a lot of interesting things waiting for us. So, as they say, "don't switch" :).

Visa and border crossing

In order to get to the Vatican, you do not need a special Vatican visa, even though it is a separate state. Since the Vatican is located in Italy, you will apply for a standard Schengen visa through the Italian Embassy in Russia. Read all the information about the documents, terms and cost of a visa in a review article about.

How to get there

Due to the fact that the Vatican is located in Rome, getting to it will not be difficult. In any case, you will have to fly to the Eternal City. All the details, nuances, the best options transport are described in a review article. You can navigate the prices of air tickets and transfer options.

I will provide you with information on how to directly get to the Vatican from the main airport of the capital of Italy.

From Fiumicino Airport (Fiumicino)

By train

You need to go to the railway station located right on the territory of the airport. Take the Leonardo Express train, which runs regularly every 30 minutes.

Get to the central railway station of Rome - station Roma Termini (Roma Termini). Take the metro to the orange line A and get to the Cipro-Musei-Vaticani station (Cipro-Vaticani Museums).

You can buy a ticket for the Leonardo Express at the box office at the airport railway station, at press outlets and vending machines. The cost is €14.

Highly important point– before boarding the express ticket, you must validate it before entering the platform.

Underground

This method is not so popular among tourists, but, nevertheless, it exists and, although not as convenient, is cheaper. The only inconvenience is that the metro stops at every stop along the route, and the express goes straight to the final station Termini.

Italian metro trains depart from the same railway station as the Leonardo Express, go on a special FM1 line called Sabina-Fiumicino (Sabina-Fiumicino), without passing through Roma Termini (Roma Termini).

The ticket price is €8.

Tickets must also be stamped before boarding.

At Trastevere station you can change trains and get to San Pietro station. Or make a transition from the Tuscolana station (Tuscolana) to the P. Lungo (Lungo) station, which is located on the orange line, and get to the Cipro-Musei-Vaticani station (Cipro-Musei-Vaticani).

Be prepared to walk from each station for about 10 minutes.

By bus

Bus routes to Rome go like hours from the stop of Terminal number 3.

If you take care of buying a ticket in advance via the Internet, then you will get to Rome for some symbolic 4 euros. Company website where you can get more detailed information about the route and book a ticket, is located.

But such a trip has its own nuances.

Firstly, the travel time is 1 hour, and even more with traffic jams. Secondly, having arrived at the final destination of the route, namely at the Termini railway station (Termini), you will still have to continue your journey using the metro, ground transport or taxi.

I have already described the metro route to you above, so I will dwell in more detail on public transport.

From Termini to the Vatican

Bus

• On number 492 and 990 you will be able to drive along Leon IV street.

Tram

The same Risorgimento square (Piazza del Risorgimento) can be reached by tram number 19, which runs almost through the entire city.

The route, although not fast, is very interesting. You will have the opportunity to see the many beauties of the Eternal City!

By taxi

I want to warn you right away that Italian taxi drivers do not speak English. And, of course, there are drivers who are not averse to overcharging if you catch a car at the exit of the terminal. All this can be avoided by ordering a taxi online in advance on this site.

The method is gaining more and more popularity recently, as the service calculates not only a fixed rate, but also travel time. When ordering a taxi online, you don't have to worry about your flight being delayed, as the online transfer company keeps track of your arrival information and does not charge extra for waiting time.

By car

You can rent a car if you wish.

Infrastructure

The Vatican, despite the antiquity of its history, has all the necessary services and institutions. In general, we can say that this is an immense complex that was built over many centuries.

Many popes were directly involved in the creation of those masterpieces that we can now watch with a breath. Of course, they created this splendor not with their own hands, but under their strict guidance, inviting the most eminent masters of that time.

The Vatican has everything, my friends. Such an infrastructure would be the envy of any state, and we are talking about a tiny enclave. True, we do not suck the usual.

So, the Vatican can boast of its famous Apostolic Library, and book publishing, and a television center, and a personal telephone service. Pharmacy, post office, gendarmerie. Academy of Sciences, observatory, own railway, Pontifical Swiss Guard...

Believe it or not, this tiny state even has its own radio and newspaper. True, some institutions are located in the buildings of Rome, but this is only because the size of the city-state does not allow to accommodate such a number of services.

I'll show you the layout, and you judge for yourself:

And, of course, THAT SAME secret archive around which there are so many rumors, unthinkable battles flare up and which is the subject of close attention of the whole world.

A little later, I will definitely tell you some interesting stories stored in this "fireproof safe", but for now let's travel a bit and see what else the Vatican can amaze us with

Top attractions

And we will start with the main thing - from the heart of this amazing state, from the Cathedral of the Holy.

Saint Paul's Cathedral

This is one of the most famous and beautiful cathedrals in the world.

If we turn to the beginning of the article, we will remember that it was erected on the site of an ancient basilica, established by Constantine the Great in honor of one of the beloved apostles of Christ - the Saint.

The cathedral was built over the course of 150 years by different popes, and leading artists, sculptors, and cultural figures were involved in this grandiose idea at all stages. Even Raphael and Michelangelo.

This historic church impresses with its size and rich decoration.

The interior is decorated with a string of sculptures, tombstones, mosaics, doors and works of art.

About this incredible cathedral and the treasures lurking in it, you can talk endlessly. But there is still a whole kaleidoscope of monuments and masterpieces ahead of us, so let's go outside and take a closer look at the huge square, this stone splendor that lies at the foot of the cathedral.

St. Peter's Square

We can say that the Vatican begins from here. After all, this is the first thing you see when you step on the territory of the state.

The grandiose square seems to be divided into two hemispheres and decorated with a dot in the middle. This point is a 25-meter obelisk brought from Egypt to Emperor Caligula. Once upon a time, the obelisk was crowned with a golden ball, in which, according to legend, the ashes of Julius Caesar rested. In the 16th century, the ball was replaced by a cross with a piece of the Cross of the Lord.

Audio guide

Be sure to take an audio guide with you on your trip to museums, which is available in 10 language variations, including Russian.

The issue price is €7.

You can get it in front of the information desk, after the ticket office.

Important

• Some halls may be closed on the day of your visit, but, unfortunately, this is not reported anywhere, you will only know everything after the fact.
• Visiting some territories is possible only by prior appointment on the museum website. (for example, there is a separate tour "Vatican Gardens" lasting 2 hours).
• In summer, short shorts, miniskirts and sleeveless T-shirts are not allowed to enter the Vatican grounds. This is supervised by specially trained people, and believe me, you are unlikely to be able to slip through unnoticed. You will be found even among a large crowd in the Cathedral of St. . Therefore, think over your appearance in advance, so as not to leave the territory of the Vatican with nothing.

Weather

The climate of the Vatican is the same as in Rome, because the state is located on the territory of the capital of Italy. But there is a nuance.

First of all, these are frequent fogs and abundant dew. They are due to the elevation, the huge size of the Basilica of St. , fountains and a large paved area. "And the rest, beautiful marquise, everything is fine, everything is fine."

When planning your trip, keep in mind that in January the temperature ranges from 0 °C to +12 °C, in July - from +20 °C to +28 °C.

The hottest month is August, tested on personal experience. It was simply impossible to be in Rome, staying in the sun for 10 minutes threatened with complete incineration.

If we talk about the winter season, then snow in Italy falls extremely rarely. Mostly in winter the weather is quite dry, but it can rain, and even then not often. Like it or not, winter in Europe is very comfortable, not like ours.

But if you are a perfectionist and want everything to be perfect, then I would recommend that you plan your trip to the Vatican from April to June or from September to November.

Money

Once upon a time, in the 19th century, the state used its own currency - the Lira of the Papal State.

When the Vatican was officially formed in 1929 under the Lateran Treaty, it began to mint the Vatican lira, which was in circulation along with the Italian lira in Italy.

Later, in 2002, the euro became the national currency of the state, but even here the Vatican could not resist the temptation to excel. The money of the enclave has its own national side, on which the portrait of the reigning pope is applied. The annual issue of coins is €1 million, which can be used in settlements outside the Vatican.

Gentlemen, keep in mind that you will not be able to change currency on the territory of the Vatican. This issue must be taken care of in advance in Rome.

In January 2013, the Central Bank of Italy blocked the Vatican from accepting bank cards for payment due to suspicions of the Vatican Bank of money laundering, corruption and mafia ties. But now this ban has been lifted, so you can pay for purchases by card without any problems.

Moving around the country

Due to its tiny size, you can walk around this enclave in an hour and a half. Many streets are traffic free, so I wouldn't advise you to waste valuable time and money renting a car. If suddenly you still decide to rent a car, you can see the prices for different models in the travelask section.

It is better to focus on the places of mass visits allocated by the Vatican specifically for tourists - St. Square and Cathedral, museums, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Gardens. Indeed, to get acquainted even with the main masterpieces of architecture, art and painting, you will need more than one day. Therefore, leave romantic walks for Rome :).

But you may be interested to know that for the needs of the Holy See 40 years ago was built Helipad in order to be able to quickly move the honorary clergy to country residence popes or to the airports of Rome.

Ah, I almost forgot! If you decide to explore the Vatican in detail and plan to stay here for a couple of days, keep in mind that only the clergy and their special guests can live in the state. There are no apartments or hotels for tourists. So staying overnight is out of the question.

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Features of the mentality

Let me first tell you briefly about the inhabitants of the Vatican, then we will have the opportunity to better understand the local mentality.

I think you will not be too surprised by the fact that the population does not even reach one thousand people. Well, what to talk about if the territory of the state is 44 km² :).

Of this number, only half have Vatican citizenship. All the rest have only the right to temporary or permanent residence, that is, they are residents.

It is curious that even this incomplete thousand stays on the territory of the state not on a permanent basis. Many subjects of the Vatican live in other countries on duty (diplomatic missions).

Now let's try to figure out who has the right to claim Vatican great citizenship. Or maybe this honor is transmitted only at the gene level?

So, citizenship is granted, as a rule, only to those whose activities are related to civil service in the Vatican. If the period of service is over, then citizenship, accordingly, loses its validity. This suggests that the fact of heredity does not play any role in this case.

But there is one interesting point here, and it consists in the following: if a person who has lost citizenship due to the end of service cannot be considered as a citizen of another country, then he is assigned the status of an Italian with all the ensuing rights and obligations.

"But what about families?" - you ask. I'll explain now. Spouses and children of subjects of the Vatican are also equated to citizens of the state, but only on condition of joint residence and official permission to stay. This permission ceases when the marriage is annulled or the spouses declare their expense, and when the children reach the age of 25, in the case of daughters, after the fact of their marriage.

The Holy See only issues official passports, which do not at all guarantee an automatic right to free access to the Vatican, a long stay on its territory, or Vatican citizenship.

Doesn't exist in the enclave passport control. Access to the state is possible only through the territory of Italy, so the immigration requirements are completely the same as in Italy.

Citizens of the Vatican are required to obtain an identity card, by which they enter the territory closed to tourists, without any formalities. Only the governor, cardinals and their retinue are exempt from "duty". These lofty persons are noted in a special document.

And the last thing I would like to note in this regard is that a large number of citizens of the enclave have dual citizenship, in particular, Italian. Well educated and speak at least 4 languages: Italian, French, English and Spanish.

And now let's move on to the main question. To the mentality of the Vatican. What can I tell you about this, my dears? Indeed, due to the narrow specifics of the state, the mentality of local residents is the mentality of the Holy See. mentality of the Catholic Church. The mentality of the Roman people, which is so distinguished by its practicality, administrative and organizational talent.

But the Vatican no longer focused so much on the search for grace as on moral and practical issues and active missionary work. Moreover, in many cases, the categorical judgments and the persistence of attempts to take a dominant position in the world kindle more and more disputes and cause an ambiguous attitude towards this state.

The reigning Pope Francis, who brought openness and simplicity to the papacy, promised to do everything in his power to change the course of events. His goal is to free the Church from obsession with a number of doctrines so that she becomes more merciful.

Let's wait and see, as they say.

Food and drink

Everything is traditional here. Well, thank God:).

No specific dishes according to the recipes of Pope Alexander VI-Borgia, or special spices obtained empirically from the secret composition of Michelangelo's plaster.

No, the national cuisine of the Vatican is no different from Italian. And this pleases, because the cuisine of Italy simply cannot but rejoice a priori.

Pilgrims and official guests have their own "church kitchen", and they can also prepare a personal dish for them. The Pope has his own special menu, which consists not only of personal preferences, but also of everyday Italian food like pasta.

For tourists, everything is much easier. For example, the Vatican Museums has a self-service restaurant, three coffee bars and a pizzeria. To be honest, in none of them did I manage to have a bite to eat even once in order to form my own opinion about the quality of the products offered. Spiritual food has always been my priority. But, knowing the Italians, I don’t think it will be inedible.

shopping

***

On this I, perhaps, will finish my story about one of the most amazing states in the world, surrounded by a dense veil of secrets. About the great and mighty Vatican.

After re-reading my story, I realized that so much still remained unsaid... And the mystery of the Holy Grail, and the connection of the Holy See with the Masons and the Rothschilds, and the ambiguous role of the Pope and the Catholic Church in World War II, and the secret vast fortunes of the Vatican, and his most influential order is Opus Dei, called the white mafia in the world.

While all this remains behind the scenes, my dear. But, who knows, maybe one day another article of mine will appear called “The Vatican. Scandals, intrigues, investigations". Then you will hear what you have never heard, see what you have never seen, and your idea of ​​the history of this world will turn upside down.

Maybe... one day... Who knows.

The Vatican is a unique "state within a state", popular tourist centre and a religious shrine for millions of Catholics from all over the world. It has its own government, bank and military, and all citizens of this enclave state have a passport.

You can get to the Vatican from almost anywhere in Rome by public transport. Walkers will love it walking route from the center of Rome or Piazza Venezia to the enclave.

Tourists from all over the world come to the Vatican to see with their own eyes the unique frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, visit St. Peter's Basilica or visit the Vatican Gardens. Other sights of the Vatican include Raphael's Stations, the Vatican Library, the Egyptian and Etruscan Museums, and the Pinakothek.

Pilgrims most often visit their shrine during the election of a new Pope, as well as at Christmas and Easter. For its visitors, the Vatican offers a lot of souvenirs - stamps, money with local symbols, travel albums, postcards and magnets.

The best hotels and hostels at affordable prices.

from 500 rubles/day

What to see in the Vatican?

The most interesting and Beautiful places, photos and a short description.

One of the most famous sights of the Vatican. St. Peter's Square, built in the 17th century, is located in front of the cathedral of the same name. The line visually continuing the symmetrical semicircles of the colonnades that form the square is the outer boundary of the Vatican. The square is decorated with two fountains and an Egyptian obelisk brought by Caligula to Rome.

The official residence of the Pope consists of a whole collection of palaces, galleries and halls, united by passages. The Apostolic Palace houses the Papal apartments, several chapels, offices of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as museums and the Vatican Library. Here you can visit the Pinakothek, the Sistine Chapel and Raphael's Stanzas.

Peter's Basilica is the true heart of the Vatican. In the 4th century, a small basilica was erected over the alleged tomb of the Apostle Peter, which in the 16th century was decided to be rebuilt into a grandiose cathedral. The consecration of the building took place in 1626. Such great masters as Raphael, Michelangelo and Bernini worked on the creation of St. Peter's Cathedral.

The artificial cave Grotta di Lourde, located on the territory of the Vatican Gardens, is a smaller copy of the French Lourdes Grotto. The reason for the construction of the Grotta di Lourda was the dogma of the Pope in 1854. The construction of the cave began in 1902, and its consecration by Pope Pius X took place on March 28, 1905.

The Sistine Chapel is a unique religious and cultural monument the Renaissance. Not very remarkable in appearance, the Sistine Chapel has become famous throughout the world thanks to its frescoes. The works of Botticelli, Rosselli and Perugino in 1536-1541 were supplemented by the grandiose "Last Judgment" by Michelangelo. Currently, the Sistine Chapel is used for conclaves.

The Vatican Pinakothek was founded in the 18th century by Pope Pius VI and received its own separate building in 1932. This art gallery, open to everyone, consists of 18 rooms, in which more than 400 paintings are exhibited in chronological order from the 12th to the 19th centuries. Here you can see the works of Caravaggio, Raphael, Giotto, Perugino, Titian and other famous masters.

The famous Vatican Gardens are first mentioned in the 13th century, when their main use was to grow vegetables, fruits and medicinal plants. Now the Vatican Gardens, with an area of ​​​​more than 20 hectares, have a decorative value, and you can only visit them with a guide. Here is a heliport for communication with Roman airports.

Raphael's Stanzas are four small rooms in the Papal Palace, decorated with frescoes by the great painter. Work in these premises was carried out from 1508 to 1517. Some of the frescoes decorating, in particular, the Hall of Constantine, were made after the death of Raphael by his students.

The Villa of Pope Pius IV, also known as the Casino Pius, was built in the middle of the 16th century. The building currently houses the headquarters of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Villa Pia consists of two pavilions and two covered walkways. All rooms are decorated with frescoes and statues, and the floors are tiled with majolica tiles.

The Museum of Ancient Art Pio Clementino was created on behalf of Pope Clement XIV and Pius VI, for which it received its name. This extensive museum was founded in the 18th century in the Belvedere Palace. Here are collected sculptures depicting people and animals, several mosaics and sarcophagi, as well as many Roman busts.

The Church of Santo Stefano degli Abyssini is considered one of the oldest churches Vatican. It was built in the 5th century, but after a while it was destroyed. In 1159, the church was rebuilt again, after which it underwent several reconstructions. Now Santo Stefano degli Abyssini is a functioning church, decorated unique fresco XV century.

One floor below the Raphael Station is the Borgia apartment. These premises at the end of the 15th century were the private chambers of Pope Alexander VI. The apartments consist of five halls decorated with frescoes. Pope Alexander VI personally chose subjects for drawings. In addition to the halls, the Borgia apartments also include the treasury and the bedroom of the Pope.

The Swiss Guard was created in 1506 and today is the only armed forces of the Vatican. The guards take part in masses and diplomatic receptions, guard near the chambers of the Pope and the Secretary of State, and also guard the entrance to the Vatican and all floors of the Apostolic Palace.

The rather modest room of the Niccolina Chapel (only 6.6 × 4 m) consists of two tiers. This is one of the oldest premises of the Apostolic Palace. The walls of the Niccolina Chapel are decorated with extraordinarily beautiful frescoes dedicated to the life of St. Stephen and St. Lawrence. The painting was done by the famous Italian artist Fra Beato Angelico.

Since 1828, traces of ancient settlements have been discovered in Southern Etruria. It was decided to collect all the finds discovered during these excavations in one exposition. This is how the Etruscan Museum was created, which opened in 1837. Here are exhibited various items life, a bronze statue of Mars and a marble portrait of Athena.

The Pine Cone Courtyard, also known as the Pine Cone Courtyard, is one of the attractions of the Vatican. This place got its name in honor of the bronze cone located in front of the Bolvedere Palace. In 1990, Pinia's courtyard was additionally decorated with a huge spinning golden ball about 4 meters in diameter.

The unique Vatican Library began to be assembled in the 15th century. Currently, it includes a huge number of books (including in Latin and Greek), manuscripts, engravings, maps and coins. The halls of the library are decorated with frescoes on a religious theme.

Founded in 1839, the Gregorian Egyptian Museum contains various art objects from the Egyptian dynasties. The museum consists of 9 halls, which exhibit ancient Egyptian sarcophagi, mummies, statues and steles, household items of the ancient Egyptians, as well as Christian and Islamic ceramics.

Chiaramonti - ancient museum classical sculpture, created between 1805 and 1807. The museum consists of a large arched gallery called the Corridor and two halls. Chiaramonti houses sculptures from the Roman era, works of art dedicated to Roman and Greek mythology, as well as more than 3,000 fragments of unique inscriptions.

The medieval fortification, called the Leonine Wall, surrounds, in addition to the Vatican, the Borgo area. After the Saracens attacked Rome in 846, it was decided to start building a defensive wall. The Leonine Wall, designed to protect the Vatican from Muslim attacks, was built from 848 to 852.