Vatican City

The Holy See, Vatican city is quite a distinct state with only 44 hectars and population around 900 people. Vatican city is the independent state since 1929 and it is the world’s smallest state. Its has its own rule, role by pope  and the cardinals. (wikipedia, ehistory.osu.edu)

It is located in in Italy, just within the Rome region (left corner in the picture).

Tourist map of Rome, Italy

Vatican is reachable on foot from Rome. Here are the view of Vatican from Rome

 

The first thing attractive when you enter Vatican is the St. Peter’s Basilica in a very big St. Peter’s square. There are giant Colonades in the entrance side, Egyptian Obelisk in the middle of square, and also Bernini fountain (is he Giani Bernini ancestor? hihihi…this is not advertising brand)

   

When you visit Vatican, you must visit the Basilica and the museum. Be aware that sometime the queue to visit these places, especially the Basilica is very long (see the picture), it can take 30 min to 1 h.

Crowd in queue for St. Peter’s Basilica, Vatican

The Basilica is very beautiful, full of marble.

      

As you may heard, Vatican have a special guard from Swiss. Those swiss guard take an oath of loyalty to Pope and official date of birth of the Swiss guard is January 22nd, 1506.  (more info read Swiss guard).

 

The uniform of the cardinal in Rome is very colorful. Not sure because there was an event that time or that was actually the real uniform. Pink and orange color uniform. It is so attractive.

 

The second place you must visit is the Museum. The entry to Vatican museum is 14€ (April 2009). The museum is quite big and very interesting.

         

Beside the artistic statues, Vatican Museum have a very magnificent art in the ceiling.

  

In some of the places inside the Vatican museum, photography is not allowed, therefore I just keep the poster to let you know what is inside ;-).

  

Vatican museum is one of the must visit place when you are in Rome and Vatican!

Tips:

You need at least one day to explore Vatican (St. Peter’s Basilica and Vatican Museum).

(memory of April 2009, no photoshop)