The smallest independent city-state in the world, Vatican City first declared itself independent in 1929. Since then, it has been a fascinating place to visit for both the faithful and the curious. Don’t let its small size fool you; there is much to appreciate about the Vatican, especially it’s endless stores of art and culture. Here’s how to get the most out of your visit to the Vatican City.
When Should You Visit?
If you can, try to visit during the off-peak season. These usually refer to the winter months of November, December, and January, and booking a visit then is your best bet for avoiding large crowds of tourists and tour groups.
Vatican City is open all days of the week except Sunday, while the Vatican Museums are closed every Sunday except the last Sunday of the month, during which the visit is free. As you can imagine, you will have to deal with the huge crowds if you choose to visit on that day. It is also advised that you avoid Wednesdays, as these days are reserved for the Papal Audience. This is the chance to see the Pope if he happens to be in Rome and listen to his teachings and readings, but it can often result in large crowds. If you would like to be part of the Papal Audience, you should arrive as early as 7.30am in order to secure a ticket.
You should also try to avoid mornings, as this is when most tour groups will arrive to try and beat the queue. The grounds of the Vatican will be much more pleasant in the afternoon, with less jostling.
Additionally, within St Peter's Basilica, there is the famous Holy Door. The door is only opened throughout the Holy Year, which occurs once every 25 years. The Door was last opened by the Pope in 2000, so visitors will only see the door open again in 2025.
What Will the Visit be Like?
Upon entering the Vatican, you will be escorted through security. There, you will be asked to have your belongings scanned. Rest assured, you do not need to bring your passport. It is recommended that you dress appropriately. Knees and shoulders should be covered, though sandals and flip flops are fine. Depending on how strict the guard is on the day of your visit, you may be barred from visiting certain places of worship if your outfit is considered inappropriate, so please take note.
If you are visiting the Vatican on your own, do check out the Vatican Museums first. While it may be tempting to skip straight ahead to the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums are also full of worthy treasures and are considered by some as the most intense part of the visit to the Vatican. The Museums hold an enormous collection of art amassed by the Popes since the early 17th century. It is most notably the world’s largest private art collection with over 20,000 works on display, so it will definitely take up the most time.
There are 54 galleries in total, dedicated to some of the finest Renaissance works and Roman sculptures in the world. To fully appreciate the immensity of the Museums and their significance, it is recommended that you book a tour. If you wish to venture through its halls on your own, keep an eye out for stand-out pieces like Raphael’s Transfiguration, the master’s last work before his death, and the Laocoön sculpture, a elaborate marble sculpture depicting priest Laocoön and his two sons falling prey to sea serpents.
You will enjoy the mummies at the Gregorian Egyptian Museum, which has a total of nine rooms filled with artefacts and brightly decorated coffins from ancient Egypt. Cartographers will also love the Gallery of Maps, where you can marvel at Italy’s long and rich history, whilst examining carefully inscribed maps of ports like Venice, Genoa, and Ancona.
At the end of the Vatican Museums is the long-awaited Sistine Chapel. Before you get your cameras out, you are reminded that you cannot take pictures within the Sistine Chapel itself. These rules are in place because the use of flash can damage paintings. This rule is still enforced regularly today, so do keep this in mind. If you are caught by an attendant, you may be asked to delete your photographs.
In 1508, Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to paint the Chapel’s ceiling. The work is done in the style of High Renaissance Art and took the painter four years. It is regarded as one of the most famous pieces in all of human civilization. Michelangelo took to the ceiling to depict nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, the most famous of all being The Creation of Adam.
Crane your neck to admire the backbreaking, painstaking labour Michelangelo undertook to perfect his masterpiece. Each figure, clothed or otherwise, is exquisitely detailed and is used to flaunt the painter’s extensive skill. Even today, Michelangelo’s human figures serve as models for aspiring artists. You’ll find that it is not an overstatement to say that Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel revolutionised the World of Art, and that is the reason why so many tourists flock to see it today. It may also be fun to note how sparingly Michelangelo uses the colour blue in his wonderful paintings. This is because back then, the stone used to produce blue pigment, Lapis Lazuli was more precious and expensive than gold.
Finally, there’s St Peter’s Basilica, the world’s largest Renaissance era church. An absolute feast for the eyes, there are glamourous walls decked out in gold, decorated sculptures of cherubs, and high ceilings. It is widely acknowledged as the holiest of Catholic shrines and sees its fair share of pilgrims every year. The Basilica is said to be the burial site of St Peter, one of Jesus’ apostles and the first bishop of Rome. The tomb itself is said to be below the high altar of the Basilica. To visit the archaeological site where St Peter and other Popes are buried, you will need to book a tour.
Most visitors will head for Michelangelo’s Dome, which is said to be the tallest dome in the world at 136 metres, and is free for visitors to climb once they have entered the Basilica. You will begin by climbing 231 steps to enter the Dome, or you can take the elevator if you so prefer. The trip to the top will be well worth it as you will be rewarded with an expansive view of the Basilica from above, and it provides the perfect vantage point for a photo or two. You can also exit to the balcony of the Basilica, where you can see statues of Jesus and his Apostles.
To journey further into the dome, you will need to climb 320 more steps. Please note the stairs here are narrower, and this time there is no lift or elevator. However, reaching the very top will afford you a marvelous view of the gorgeous Vatican, so if you can make the climb, don’t hesitate.
Another significant piece of art in St Peter’s Basilica is Michelangelo’s Pieta, otherwise known as The Pity. A true renaissance man, Michelangelo was as talented a sculptor as he was an artist. The sculpture was the only one he ever signed, and depicts the body of Jesus sprawled across his Mother’s lap after the crucifiction. Mary’s head is bent in sorrow, her face directed towards Jesus’ chest. One interpretation suggests that this is because Mary is cradling Jesus as a baby, while having a vision of her son’s terrible fate, which would account for why Michelangelo’s Mary appears so youthful. Today the sculpture is kept behind glass casing, as there was an incident in 1972 where a visitor attacked it with a hammer.
Any Souvenirs?
There are two souvenir shops located near the exits and entrances of Vatican City. These are largely run by nuns and sell religious items such as rosaries, marble tablets and other idols. You can pick up jewellery or small statues there.
There is also the Vatican Post Office. Vatican City does have its own sovereignty and its own stamps, and tourists find it fun to purchase a postcard from the post office and send it to their loved ones to let them know they’ve been to the smallest country on Earth. You can also purchase commemorative medallions featuring the Pope’s image from the post office.
