Small country with a big culture

Art

The Vatican is the capital of Christianity and the residence of the Pope. It is a city-state located in the heart of Rome. The country is renowned for its strictest dress code, and underserved visitors can easily be prevented from entering its territory.

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The Vatican City has an area of just 0.44 square kilometers. 

Like the rest of Italy, the Vatican’s currency is the Euro. However, the state itself mints coins with local symbols, so Vatican coins are the rarest in the EUR circulation area. The Vatican also issues postage stamps and albums dedicated to the sights and history of the state.

At the entrance to the Vatican, standard security checks are carried out – guests go through a security check and their belongings are sent to the inspection belt. Large bags, suitcases, backpacks, umbrella canes and tripods must be deposited in a locker. It is forbidden to smoke in the Vatican. For a fine of EUR 30. Dresses that do not cover shoulders, knees and stomach are prohibited. Women may wear trousers and uncovered heads. Photographs can be taken inside the Vatican with or without a tripod, but there are restrictions inside the museums.

Which museums are worth visiting in the Vatican?

  1. The Pinacoteca at the Vatican

Address: Viale Vaticano, 97. rutraveller.ru

A rich collection of paintings by Italian masters from virtually every era, such as Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Pietro Perugino and many others. The Pinacoteca Vaticana was founded by Pope Pius VI in the 18th century. However it was not immediately open to the public. The Pinacoteca rooms are dedicated to different centuries of painting; there are 18 rooms in total.

  1. Vatican Gardens

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The Vatican Gardens are known for the area they cover – about half of the state. They are located in the “upper” part of the country, on Vatican Hill, where the city was built. Each Pope has brought something different to the development of the gardens. For example, Pope Gregory XIII built an observatory for observing the stars and Clement XI cultivated subtropical seedlings. Leo XIII opened the Vatican Zoo.

  1. The Sistine Chapel at the Vatican

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The Sistine Chapel is one of the most popular cultural and historical monuments among tourists. It was built in the second half of the 15th century at the request of Pope Sixtus IV, after whom it is named. The murals on the walls are fascinating. Famous masters such as Sandro Botticelli worked on them: Sandro Botticelli, Pinturicchio and Michelangelo. Michelangelo also created the legendary “Last Judgment” fresco, commissioned by Pope Paul III. 

It is here that Conclaves – the gathering of Catholic cardinals who, after the death of an incumbent pope, elect a new pontiff – take place. White smoke over the Sistine Chapel alerts residents that the Catholic Church has proclaimed a new pope.

  1. St Peter’s Cathedral

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St Peter’s Cathedral is one of Rome’s main attractions. From here you can get a bird’s eye view of ancient Rome, or attend mass and receive a blessing from the pontiff. Originally this modest basilica was built over the presumed grave of the Apostle Peter. In 1506, however, it was decided by papal decree to rebuild the basilica into a grandiose cathedral, the center of Catholicism and the symbol of the pontiff’s authority. The facade and interior of the cathedral are decorated with numerous statues of Christ, John the Baptist and the Apostles. Among the masterpieces here is Michelangelo’s marble “Pieta”.

  1. Raphael’s Rooms

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Raphael’s Rooms are four small rooms that form part of the Vatican palace complex. Pope Julius II commissioned Raphael, who was only 25 at the time, to paint the rooms. Some of the drawings were executed according to Raphael’s designs after the great painter’s death. The most famous frescoes here are on the walls of the Stanza della Señatura. The painting focuses on philosophy, theology, poetry and justice. In the third stanza, Raphael painted the wall with the story of St Peter’s cathedral being saved from fire by Pope Leo IV through the power of prayer.

  1. Etruscan Museum

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To learn about the people who inhabited the territories of ancient Rome before its creation, it is worth taking a look at this museum, opened in 1837. Here the Romans captured the memory of their ancestors as people of strong will, great intelligence and good health. The architecture was built of wood, which prevented the preservation of even a small part of the ancient structures. However, the Etruscans did leave behind a huge number of everyday objects, various crafts and other interesting things.

  1. Pio-Clementino Museum

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This museum is astonishing in its size. Its complete and systematized catalogue occupies approximately seven book volumes. Pope Clement XIV and Pius VI took the art seriously in the Vatican. Thanks to them, the museum was named Pio Clementine, and the museum’s exhibits were distributed to thematic halls.