The Vatican is the capital of the smallest state in the world. The status of a separate state and independence, this tiny country received only in 1929, although the history of the formation of this religious center has been more than 2 thousand years. The area of the city-state is only about 0.44 square kilometers, and the population is slightly less than 1000 people. The Vatican is a "city in the city", it is located on the territory of Rome, surrounded by it from all sides.
If you have planned a trip to Italy, then take a day to visit the Vatican. Beautiful temples, palaces, works of ancient art, Italian painting and sculpture will not leave you indifferent, they will surprise with their beauty and grandeur.
About the rules of visiting for tourists
There is no need for a separate visa to visit the Vatican : Italy and the Vatican have a visa-free regime, so it will be enough for the Schengen visa you received to visit Italy.
It is important not to forget about some rules in clothes: clothes should cover shoulders and knees, in shorts, sarafans, tops with a deep decollete you simply will not miss the Swiss guards guarding the entrance to the Vatican. If you have planned visits to viewing platforms, then take care of the convenience of shoes, since most of the stairs leading to the viewing platforms are metal screw.
What to see in the Vatican?
The Vatican is for the most part closed to tourists. Tourists can visit the following attractions : St. Peter's Cathedral on the Square with the same name, Sistine Chapel , several Vatican Museums ( Pio-Clementino Museum, Chiaramonti Museum , Historical Museum , Lucifer's Museum ), as well as the Vatican Library and Gardens .
You can try to go a little farther than the main stream of tourists. To do this, you need to explain to the Swiss guards that you intend to visit the Teutonic cemetery, which has been here since 797. True, the guards can ask which one you want to visit the grave and not to be trapped, we suggest learning some names from the once buried people: Joseph Anton Koch, Wilhelm Achtermann - artists, princess Charlotte Friederike von Mecklenburg, the first wife of the Danish king Christian VIII, Princess Carolyne zu Sayn-Wittgenstein, wife of Franz Liszt, Prince Georg von Bayern, Stefan Andres and Johannes Urzidil are writers.
Excursions
In the Vatican Museums, there are almost always huge queues, so it's early to arrive here (before 8 am). According to observations: the most tourists here on Wednesdays, t. On this day the Pope speaks at St. Peter's Square and gives audiences; on Tuesdays and Thursdays visitors are much less; On Sundays all Vatican museums have a day off. To not lose a few hours, standing in line for tickets, purchase and print them in advance on the sites of museums.
Visit St. Peter's Cathedral you can free of charge, but to go up to the observation deck of the dome, you will need to pay 5-7 euros (5 euros - self-climbing stairs, 7 euros - elevator). Entry to the Vatican museums will cost the tourist 16 euros, but every month (on the last Sunday) you can get there absolutely free.
How to get there?
- From Termini Station, take the A (red) metro to Ottaviano-SPietro or Cipro-Musei Vaticani;
- by buses No. 64, 40, 60, 62;
To the tourist on a note:
- In the Vatican there are no hotels and hotels, so you will have to stop in Rome.
- Be prepared that at the entrance Swiss guardsmen can ask for verification of your documents and personal items. Therefore, do not take backpacks or volume bags with them - they are almost always checked very carefully.
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