Attractions of the Vatican – photo and description, what to see
The Papal States, covering 44 hectares in the center of the Italian capital, is one of the most visited places in the world. Catholics from all over the world come to see the Pope in person and listen to his sermon. Tourists also do not disregard the sights of the Vatican. There are 23 museums on the territory of the mini-state, which contain unique relics and masterpieces of world art. Access to museums is open daily (9-18h.), Except Sundays and public holidays (1.01, 1.05, 25.12). Ticket price from 12 € (children, 6-18 years old) to 21 € (adult). It is more convenient to purchase subscriptions via the Internet to avoid long queues at the box office. Every month on the last Sunday admission is free (from 9 am to 2 pm).
Apostolic Library
Under Pope Sixtus IV (15th century), a repository for manuscripts, engravings, cartographic images, etc. was organized in the Vatican residence. The library was quickly replenished with new copies. Pope Nicholas V made a significant contribution to the conservation of antique publications. He copied rare folios with his own hands.
The modern library fund is considered one of the largest in the world. It contains 1.6 million books, 150 thousand manuscripts, 8.3 thousand incubules, 100 thousand engravings and geographical maps, 300 thousand medals and coins. The library complex, in addition to the book depository, includes a restoration workshop and a school where librarians are trained.
The interior rooms are divided according to specialization into Greek and Latin rooms, an archive, a storeroom with secret documents. Access to materials is granted by special permission. To get it, you need to pass the test. The interior of the library is decorated with works of art by famous masters. For visitors, the halls are open daily (except weekends) from 8.45 to 17.10.
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St. Peter's Square
The parade ground near the basilica bears the name of a faithful companion of Jesus. It is always filled with tourists coming from all over the world to admire the treasures of the Papal State. The square is surrounded by 4-row Doric columns along the perimeter. In total, there are 284 of them. The pillars are decorated with sculptural images of saints and martyrs of the Roman Catholic Church (96 figures).
The project for the creation and design of the square belongs to the architect D. Bernini. The scale of the open space (length 340 m and width 240 m) is in harmony with the size of the church of St. Peter, to which a wide staircase rises. In the center of the site there is an obelisk from Egypt (35 m), crowned with a golden ball.
Parts of the cross on which Christ was crucified are placed in the inner cavity of the sphere. The decoration of the parade ground is completed by paired fountains (17th century), created according to the sketches of Bernini and Moderno. Via della Conciliazione runs from the square to the banks of the Tiber. In the warm season, on Wednesdays (at 10.30), the pontiff from the window of his residence blesses the people who have gathered in the square in front of the Apostolic Palace.
Saint Paul's Cathedral
The main religious building on the territory of the Papal State is the basilica dedicated to the Apostle Peter. It is a landmark object for adherents of the Catholic religion. All significant events take place in the cathedral, according to the canons of the Western Christian rite.
The structure impresses with its dimensions: the height (facade) is 48 m, the width is 118.6 m. 60 thousand people can be in the middle of the room at the same time. Inside and outside the building is richly decorated. The upper part above the central portico is decorated with figures of Jesus with 11 apostles and John the Baptist. At the entrance there is a mosaic panel “Navichella”, created in the 13th century. drawings by Giotto.
The interior is a real gallery of works of art by the great masters of Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini, Bramante. The right foot at the sculpture of St. Peter is endowed with special grace. Every visitor strives to touch it. Tourists can climb the stairs to the dome of the temple, which offers stunning views of the surroundings.
The cathedral is open for visits daily: 7 – 18.30 (1.10 – 31.03) and 7 – 19.00. (1.04 – 30.09). There is no entry fee. Price for climbing to the observation deck: on foot – 8 €, by elevator -10 €.
sacred grottoes
The Vatican has attractions not only on the surface, but also underground. Below is a real network of labyrinths, consisting of man-made caves (grottoes) and artificial tunnels. Dungeons, equipped directly under the main Vatican basilica, are called the Upper Grottoes. They are accessible to tourists.
The key object of the sacred catacombs is the sarcophagus with the remains of the Apostle Peter, the closest companion and disciple of Jesus Christ. The authenticity of the burial was documented. Archaeologists have discovered an inscription in the grave certifying that the relics belong to St. Peter. Bulletproof glass protects the tomb from acts of vandalism.
In the underground necropolis, many pontiffs found their last refuge. Among them are Boniface VIII, Sixtus IV, Pius XI and others. A separate group of burials is represented by the tombstones of royal persons. To be buried in the grottoes is considered a high honor. Available daily (except Sunday): 9am-6pm (Mon-Fri) and 9am-5pm (Sat). You do not need to pay money to visit the grottoes.
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel: Fast Track €28 Skip-the
-line: Museums, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica – €43.90
Entry to St. Peter's Basilica with audio guide – €19.50
Roma Pass: Tourist Card for 48 or 72 hours – from 29 €
Borghese Gallery: reserved entrance ticket – 26 €
Sightseeing tour by hop-on hop-off bus – 14 €
Colosseum, Roman Forum, Palatine Hill – 20 €
Canopy Bernini
In Peter's Cathedral, tourists see an unusual religious building – a canopy that covers the burial place of the famous apostle from above. This wonderful creation was made of bronze according to sketches by architects L. Bernini and Borromini. The pommel was cast and installed in the temple at the direction of Pope Urban VIII (1624-1633).
The prototype of the canopy was a pergola with 12 columns, dating back to the early Christian period. It was reminiscent of the cloth awnings worn on poles over the head of the Pope. The canopy symbolized the power of the head of the Vatican and at the same time performed a protective function.
The creation of Bernini strikes with the grace of forms and decorativeness. The columns are cast in bronze. Their surface is decorated with laurel branches. Winding forms create the illusion of growth, striving upwards. The effect is enhanced by the combination of black and gold tones. The upper part is decorated with figures of angels holding a ball (a symbol of the Earth) and a cross (the emblem of Christianity). Top height 29m.
Apostolic Palace
The architectural ensemble, officially bearing the name of Pope Sixtus V, is known to the general public as the Apostolic Palace. It is a collection of buildings, passages, stairs, courtyards. The building houses the residence of the Pope and his secretariat.
The construction of the palace began in the 6th century AD. Over the centuries, the complex has expanded, and currently includes: 12 thousand halls and rooms, over 200 stairs, 20 courtyards. Most of the premises are available for inspection. Tourists are interested in apartments where ceremonies are held with the participation of the Pope: the Large and Small throne rooms, the Clementine Hall, the Consistory Hall.
Each room is like a real museum. It will take more than one day to walk around the palace and admire its treasures. You can get inside through the main entrance, which is reached by the stairs of the Rock Reg. For tourists, the papal residence is open on weekdays and on Saturdays (9-18h). A general ticket to all museums is presented at the entrance. There is no charge on the last Sunday of the month.
Map Gallery
Frescoes in the western wing of the Belvedere Palace contain a lot of interesting historical and geographical information. They depict maps of various areas subordinate to the Pope in the 16th century. In addition to maps of the area, the paintings depict well-known architectural structures, representatives of different nationalities, memorable events in history, heroes of myths. On the ceiling are illustrations of the Holy Scriptures, portraits of biblical characters.
The idea of creating an unusual gallery belongs to Pope Gregory XIII. The idea was brought to life by architect Ottaviano Mascherino and cartographer Ignazio Danti. 40 map projections were created. They are grouped in 17 rooms. The gallery is 120 meters long and 6 meters wide.
Arazzi Gallery
In the Middle Ages, lint-free carpets were used to decorate the walls in noble houses. They were woven in the city of Arras and called “arazzi”. Later, a similar technology began to be used for the manufacture of tapestries. The best examples of weaving art of the 16th-17th centuries are collected in the Vatican Palace. Initially, they were used to decorate the Sistine Chapel, and in the 30s of the 19th century. a separate gallery was set aside for tapestries.
On its walls there are 27 paintings created according to the sketches of Raphael's students. The plots for the tapestries were episodes described in the Bible, as well as the history of the birth of Christianity. The tapestry corridor is open to tourists. In order to save arazzi, bright lights are not turned on indoors and shooting with a flash is prohibited.
The Sistine Chapel
The most famous room is the chapel in the chapel of Pope Sixtus IV. The small hall owes its fame to murals in the form of frescoes. They depict biblical scenes. Only 12 paintings have survived to this day. Among them are “The Baptism of Christ”, “The Calling of the First Apostles”, “The Giving of the Commandments”, etc.
The outstanding masters of the Renaissance worked on the frescoes: Botticelli, Perugino, Ghirlandaio, Cosimo Rosselli. The arch was painted by Michelangelo for 4 years. In the process of creating paintings, he invented a new artistic direction – sculptural painting. It is Michelangelo's masterpiece that the chapel owes its fame to.
In order to preserve the priceless cultural heritage inside the premises, it is not allowed to talk and turn on bright lights. On significant days, liturgies are held inside. The hall is divided by a lattice into two parts: for parishioners and clergy. Open daily (except Sunday) from 9 am to 6 pm. Entrance fee 15 €.
Stanza Raphael
At the invitation of Pope Julius II, the famous Italian master Raphael Santi designed 3 rooms in the Vatican Palace. Another room after the death of the artist was painted by his students. Each of the apartments (stations) had its own purpose. Depending on this, plots for frescoes were selected.
The office of the pontiff (della Senyatura) is illustrated with portraits of ancient Greek philosophers and poets. The paintings in the hall d'Eliodoro are dedicated to the protection of God over man. The main plot in the Incendio di Borgo stanza shows the story of the life of Pope Leo IV, who stopped the fire with the sign of the cross. The Konstantinovsky Hall was designed by his students based on the sketches of the great master.
The stanzas are slightly smaller than the main chambers: 9 meters long and 6 meters wide. Art critics consider the frescoes “The School of Athens“, “Disputation”, “Parnassus” to be the best works of Raphael.
Apartments Borgia
The Italian artist Bernardino Pinturicchio worked on the decoration of the private chambers of Pope Alexander VI (Rodrigo de Borgia in the world). Each room has its own original name and plots corresponding to it. The hall of the Sacraments of Faith depicts the main events in the history of the Christian religion – the Annunciation, Christmas, the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Resurrection and the Ascension. Episodes from the lives of the glorified saints are reproduced in the room that bears their name. Portraits of famous soothsayers and soothsayers adorn the Sibyll Hall.
The Hall of the Pontiffs is a kind of pictorial chronicle, which depicts the images of the holy fathers of the Roman Catholic Church in different eras. An amazing story is connected with the Hall of Miracles of Faith. In it, after the collapse of the ceiling, only Pope Alexander VI remained unscathed.
Niccolina Chapel
In the 15th century, the old tower, which bore the name of Pope Innocent III, was partially refurbished. Its upper floors were converted into a small chapel (length 6.6 m and width 4 m). The famous monk-painter Fra Beato Angelico was invited to decorate the interior. He decorated the walls of the chapel with paintings illustrating episodes from the life of Saints Lawrence (lower tier) and Stephen (upper tier).
Later, on the south side, the images were destroyed. Nicholas V turned the room into a private prayer hall. From here came the name of the room – the Niccolina Chapel. The chapel belongs to the most ancient part of the Apostolic Palace and is located in its northern wing.
Pinakotheka
Real masterpieces of world art are collected within the walls of the Papal Pinakothek. The gallery, consisting of 18 rooms, was equipped in 1908. Pope Pius VI acted as its founder. Under the vault, the pontiff allocated a wing of the Belvedere Palace. A separate building was erected according to the project of the architect L. Beltrami. The building is located on a site near the northern side of St. Peter's Basilica.
Large windows allow access to the sun's rays and provide natural light to the paintings. For ease of viewing, the paintings are grouped in chronological order. Visitors have the opportunity to see the originals of de Vinci, Raphael, Perugino, Caravaggio and other European painters. In total, there are over 460 works in the funds. In addition, the museum has a collection of iconography and mosaic panels.
Pio Clementino Museum
In the second half of the 18th century, the problem arose of saving priceless ancient sculptures located in the residence of the Pope. At first, the figures were installed among the orange trees near the Belvedere Palace. As the collection grew, open space became scarce. Pontiff Clement XIV ordered the construction of a special building. The architects Simonetti and Camposerri were engaged in design work.
They proposed to create rooms equipped with niches to accommodate the most valuable exhibits. The halls are devoted to different topics: fauna, Greek and Roman art. In the recesses are magnificent examples of classical sculpture: Lacoon and sons, Perseus, Apollo, Hermes. Among the interesting artifacts is a huge monolithic bowl that belonged to Emperor Nero.
Bramante stairs
At the beginning of the 16th century Pope Julius II ordered the architect D. Bramante to develop a staircase project, which was supposed to serve as a transition from the Apostolic Palace to the Belvedere. The architect proposed an original solution. As a prototype, he used the well of St. Patrick from Orvieto.
The staircase had a spiral design. The ascent was carried out along a gentle path, without steps. The structure is fixed in space with the help of Doric columns. Lighting is provided through a glazed hatch at the top. The ladder was designed to move goods. The width of the passage allowed the use of wagons. They could move towards each other. At present, the old Bramant staircase is not functioning. Her inspection is available with special permission.
In 1932, an analogue of the medieval passage was created. Authorship belongs to D.Momo. He was inspired by the appearance of the DNA helix. The new staircase opens the passage to the Pius-Clementine Museum.
Gregorian Etruscan Museum
Pope Gregory XVI became famous as a lover and connoisseur of art. Under his patronage, in 1837, a museum of Etruscan culture was founded in the Vatican. It includes finds made in the lands of Etruria. The exposition is divided into 22 segments. Each room has its own focus. The pride of the collection is the bronze figure of the god of war Mars (4th century BC) and the marble face of the goddess of wisdom Athena (5th century BC).
Household utensils and attributes of the Etruscans, made of bronze and precious metals, are carefully preserved in the vault. On display are samples of antique dishes, funerary items. The museum not only highlights the history of the Etruscan state, but also traces the development of the culture of other ancient civilizations of Southern Europe (Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome).
Gregorian Egyptian Museum
The fascination with ancient Egyptian artifacts began during the pontificate of Pius VII. The collection served as the basis for the formation of the museum. It was established in 1839 by decree of Pope Gregory XVI. The Vatican collection of North African relics is one of the most significant in the world. The halls display works of art and household items related to the cultural heritage of various civilizations of the ancient world.
During the tour, tourists examine the basalt and wood sarcophagi, mummies, burial urns, figurines of deities and pharaohs. Antique figurines, ceramics of European and Oriental masters are laid out in the showcases for everyone to see. Part of the exhibition is devoted to rarities discovered during archaeological expeditions in Mesopotamia and the Middle East.
Chiaramonti Museum
The passage connecting the papal residence with the Belvedere, at the direction of Pius VII, was rebuilt at the beginning of the 19th century. The pontiff decided to place in it a collection of ancient sculptures. The design of the gallery was entrusted to the architect A.Kanov. The museum exposition includes over 800 works of art. They are placed along the corridor, in arched openings. The vault was named after the name of the founder, who comes from the Chiaramonti family.
The museum is dedicated to two areas: the mythological characters of Ancient Greece and the historical personalities of Ancient Rome. The world heritage treasury includes busts of Pallas Athena and Poseidon, sculptural images of Demosthenes and Cicero. The statues of the Nile with tributaries, a wounded Amazon, a spearman and others are rightfully considered classics of plastic art.
A separate room is reserved for mosaic panels (2nd century BC) and fragments of ancient columns. Connoisseurs and lovers of history are interested in the collection of inscriptions (over 3 thousand artifacts) from pagan times to the early Christian period.
Vatican Gardens
The hilly area in the west of the Papal States is occupied by a park area known as the Vatican Gardens. The total area of green spaces is over 20 hectares. Trees of various species grow in the arboretum: pines, oaks, pines, cypresses, olives, etc. The fauna is represented by small mammals (mice, squirrels, rabbits), birds, amphibians and reptiles.
The natural landscape is complemented by architectural structures: the Governor's Palace, the House of the Archpastors, the Leonine Wall, the Towers of the Winds and John, the Church of St. Stephen, the Palazzo San Carlo. Snow-white statues are installed along the alleys. Fountains created at the beginning of the 17th century have aesthetic and historical value. craftsmen from Holland.
In one of the corners of the park there is a helipad. Visiting the gardens is available exclusively as part of excursion groups and on a specific route. The ticket costs 65 € (adult) and 45 € (children). Opening hours are like the Vatican Museums. In addition to the walking tour, guests can tour the gardens on a mini-bus with an audio guide. The bus starts at 8.15, 9.15, 9.45, 10.15, 12.15, 12.45. The price for a subscription is 37 € for an adult, 23 € for a child (from 6 to 18 years old).
Cave di Lourdes
At the beginning of the last century, at the direction of the ruling pontiff, a copy of the famous Lourdes cave was built in the gardens. According to legend, the Virgin Mary appeared in a grotto near the French city of Lourdes (1858). Through the girl Bernadette Soubirous, the Mother of God conveyed a message for all Christians. Its text is engraved on the pedestal of a statue installed in the Grotto of Lourdes.
Every year, thousands of Catholic believers come to pray at the memorial place. The Vatican analogue repeats the appearance and surrounding landscape of the French prototype. The solemn consecration of the cave took place in March 1905. Divine services in honor of a significant event – the appearance of the Virgin, are held in the grotto every year on May 31.
Villa Pia
The architectural gem of the gardens is the summer residence of the Roman pontiffs – the Villa of Pope Pius IV. Its project was developed by the Neapolitan architect P. Ligorio. In its original form, the building looked like a one-story building. Then the design was expanded and supplemented. The building has a second floor, a loggia, a gallery, a corner tower with a chapel.
The general plan of the ensemble resembles a closed quadrangle with a patio in the center of the perimeter. The house fit perfectly into the surrounding space and served as a great place for relaxation and reflection. Nowadays, the villa has been turned into the main office of the Vatican Academy of Sciences. It serves as a meeting place for the luminaries of world science. The construction of the mid-16th century is one of the world-class attractions.
Church of Santo Stefano degli Abyssini
The Temple of Stephen of Abyssinia is one of the oldest places of worship in the Papal States. The building was built in the 5th century and was part of the architectural ensemble formed around St. Peter's Cathedral. The layout of the church completely repeated the projection of the main basilica. In a later period, the sanctuary underwent a transformation. In the 30s. 20th century The building has been extensively restored.
The design consists of elements dating from different centuries: the portal is from the 12th century, the facade is from the 18th century. The walls are plastered from the inside. Parts of tombstones immured for strength are visible in them. The fresco “The Virgin and Child” has artistic and historical value. Liturgies are held in the church, in accordance with the traditions of the Ethiopian Catholic Church. Every year on December 26, a holiday is celebrated in honor of the patron saint of the temple – St. Stephen from Abyssinia.
Pinia's courtyard
Under the guidance of the architect Bramante at the beginning of the 17th century. in the papal residence, a gap was arranged between the main palace building and the Belvedere. According to the author's idea, a courtyard with flower beds was laid out and a building was erected. A niche in the case was occupied by a giant imitation of a pine cone. From here came the name – Pinia's yard. The figure is cast from a gilded bronze alloy. Scenes of ancient Roman competitions of athletes are carved on the pedestal.
Peacocks made of bronze act as peculiar guardians of the “nut” of the pine. The facade of the ball is decorated with a bas-relief of a human head, which spews out a fountain of water. The modern design of the square was complemented by an installation by Arnaldo Pomodoro, installed in 1990. It represents a symbolic image of the Universe and the globe inside it. The shiny spherical surface reflects the surrounding space and people and thus demonstrates the human impact on the environment.
The landscape composition of the courtyard is completed by 4 symmetrical lawns with a grassy lawn. The yard is open for viewing during the opening hours of the museums. Ticket price 17 € for adults and 8 € for children (6-18 years old). A guided tour costs from 24 € for a children's pass to 33 € for an adult.
Leonine wall
In the west of the Papal States, the remains of ancient fortifications (ninth century) have been preserved. The wall was erected to protect the borders of the Vatican from the raids of Muslim troops. The initiator of the construction was Pope Leo IV. The fence served as an impregnable barrier protecting the internal territory of the state. The defense was strengthened by 13 towers. In honor of the ruling pontiff, the wall was called Leoninskaya, and the city was named Leograd.
Today, a surviving fence separates the Vatican from the Borgo district in Rome. The gate of San Pellegrino, which closes the passage in the wall, serves as a starting point for sightseeing tours of the possessions of the Holy See. At the portal there is a post of the Swiss guard. The wall above the gate is decorated with a bas-relief with papal symbols.
Swiss Guard
Any solemn ceremony takes place with the obligatory participation of the Swiss guards. They represent the armed forces of the Papal States. The infantry cohort of the Swiss Holy Guard of the Pope is the oldest continuously active army in the world. Natives of the Confederacy entered the service of the Holy See at the invitation of Pope Julius II in 1506.
Since then, foot soldiers have always stood guard over the city-state. Their posts are located at the gate to the territory of the Vatican, in the residence of the pontiff. The numerical strength of the armed forces of the Papal States is 110 people. Tourists are sure to take pictures of the guardsmen in bright colorful uniforms. It is sewn according to the sketches of Michelangelo.
The costume consists of a yellow-blue-red camisole, cropped trousers and a beret with a scarlet plume. The guests are watching with interest the spectacular changing of the guard at the posts. It happens every hour throughout the day. Persons who comply with the established dress code are allowed to enter the territory: clothes with closed shoulders and knees for men and women. Tickets purchased for visiting are valid for 24 hours.