Things to do in Vatican City

by Alex Cook Traveller & Astrologer

Vatican City is the country resides in city Rome, It is the smallest country in the world known for its famous museums.

St. Peter’s Square

St. Peter’s was built between 1656 and 1667 by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in Rome. With dimensions of 240 meters wide and 320 meters long it makes a magnificent entry point to St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican City.

Egyptian Obelisk was placed in the center of Square and to the right of the Obelisk, a Majestic Fountain designed by Carlo Maderno was installed on the square in 1613.

To maintain symmetry, similar fountain was installed on the left side of Obelisk in 1677 by Carlo Fontana.

Bernini wanted an effect that would honor ‘the matrix of all the churches’ by dividing square into two parts. He has also installed many sculptures including sculpture of St. Peter’s.

St. Peter’s Basilica

St. Peter’s Basiica is the largest Church in the world and it is also known as Papal Basilica of St. Peter. It is built on Vatican Hills over the tomb of Saint Peter and across the Tiber river.

Modern day structure was built between 1506 and 1626 on top of the earlier 4th-century church (covering Peter’s Tomb). It took more than 100 years to complete and is a treasure trove of history.

No ticket is required to access St. Peter’s Basilica but to explore its history you can book a tour guide.

Inner side of the basilica is truly outstanding, you’ll see masterpieces of Renaissance and Baroque art, Bernini's works which includes the Chapel of the Sacrament, the baldachin, the plan for the niches and open loggias in the piers of the dome and the chair of St. Peter.

The Sistine Chapel

It was built between 1473 - 1481 by the architect Giovanni dei Dolci for Pope Sixtus IV as the pope’s private chapel and the venue to elect new popes by cardinals, the Sistine Chapel is truly an outstanding sight for frescoes.

It is the most popular and famous tourist attraction for frescoes or paintings. Some of the famous frescoes are Michelangelo’s fresco art masterpieces on the ceiling, vault and behind the altar. Michelangelo Buonarroti devoted almost 10 years of his life to complete these masterpiece frescoes.

You’ll also discovered the famous Old Testament stories on the ceiling and behind the altar is The Last Judgement which represents the second coming of Jesus Christ and the Day of Judgement. Frescoes from artists like Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, Roselli, and Perugino are decorated on the walls.

For accessing Sistine Chapel you have to Book Ticket from nearby Ticket office or simply Book Online Ticket from websites.

Vatican Museums

Discovered by Pope Julius II in 16^th century, It is the largest museum complex in the world with more than 1400 rooms.

It has the largest art collections in the World and while Passing through 7 KM of corridors, you will see Egyptian mummies, Renaissance masters Etruscan pieces and modern art. It also exhibits the classical sculptures collection in the Museo Pio-Clementino and the Raphael frescoes.

It’s impossible to see everything in a single day, so plan Vatican Tour for at least 2 or 3 days.

Book Tickets and Tours in advance to avoid long standing lines for Tickets.

Vatican Gardens

Covering more than half the area of Vatican City, Vatican Gardens constitutes 57 acres out of 110 acres of total area.

These beautiful Vatican Gardens are mostly covers the western part of the country.

Walking through these gardens, you’ll discover stunning monuments and buildings of 9th century, the Vatican Radio Station, medieval fortifications, the Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, various sculptures and fountains.