It is officially the world’s smallest independent state, occupying approximately 0.44 sq km (about ¼ square mile). Founded in 1929 after the Lateran treaty, the whole territory is encircled by its imposing Vatican walls; originally dating from the 9th century A.D. Home of the Pope, bishop of Rome and leader of the Catholic Church, it is considered one of the holiest places in Christendom. It attracts millions of visitors every year from all over the world for two main reasons: to visit the unique art collection displayed inside the Vatican museums and to explore the greatest church ever built by mankind: St. Peter’s Basilica. Thanks to the artifacts that the popes have collected throughout the centuries from different civilizations and to the masterpieces they commissioned to Renaissance artists, such as: Michelangelo Buonarroti and Raffaello Sanzio, the Vatican museums are amongst the 10 most visited museums in the world.

Top Things To Do In The Vatican

Sistine Chapel

The most popular and arguably most beautiful chapel in the world. It takes its name from Pope Sixtus IV who restored it at the end of the 15th Century and commissioned the frescoes on the side walls. World famous for housing what many historians consider as Michelangelo’s greatest works: The Last Judgment and the overwhelming Ceiling.

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St. Peter's Basilica

This miracle of engineering is considered to be the most renowned work of Renaissance architecture and one of the Holiest Catholic shrines. Designed and projected by the best artists of the 16th and 17th Century, including Michelangelo and Bramante, the Basilica is constantly being used by the Pope for liturgical reasons as well as attracting every year millions of pilgrims from all over the world.

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Vatican Museums

The ancient artifacts and Renaissance masterpieces that these museums display are truly unique. All of the works come from the immense collection built up by the Popes throughout the centuries. The Pio-Clementine museum is famous for displaying some of the most important Greek-Roman sculptures, such as: the Laocoon Group and bronze Hercules.

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St. Peter's Square

The design of this gigantic square represents one of the greatest accomplishments of Baroque artist Bernini and it’s located in front of St. Peter’s Basilica within the Vatican state. The Egyptian obelisk in the middle was originally brought from Egypt by emperor Caligula. Since the papacy of St. John Paul II, the square has been used for Papal audiences on Wednesday’s and other liturgies.

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Rapahel's Rooms

The 16th Century four rooms known as the “Stanze of Raffaello” formed part of the beautiful apartment, chosen by Pope Julius II as his own residence, located on the second floor of the pontifical palace. The frescoes were entirely executed by Pietro Perugino, Raphael Sanzio and his school and it represents one of the artist’s most celebrated works.

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