A state in the center of Rome, the Vatican keeps a lot of mysteries, mysteries and secrets. Here you can easily speak Latin and receive the Pope's blessing. St. Peter's Cathedral and the Sistine Chapel, gardens and museums, attractions and excursions - everything about the Vatican.

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The navel of the Earth for Catholics around the world, one of the few city-states and the only country where the official language is Latin, the Vatican is located in the heart of Rome, and a significant part of the attractions of the Italian capital is located on its tiny territory. Here you can climb onto the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral and see historical Rome from a bird's eye view, walk through the famous Vatican Gardens, and also see the Pope with your own eyes and even receive his blessing. Let us remind you that there is no place for the naked tourist community in the Vatican - the city is famous for its strict dress code, and visitors who are not fully covered may easily not be allowed into its territory at all.

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How to get to the Vatican

The Vatican is surrounded on all sides by Rome, and to cross its border, it is enough to use one of the city's means of transport: taxi, bus, metro or even on foot. From the center of Rome (Stazione Termini) to the south side of the Vatican, bus routes No. 40 and No. 64 follow (in which you need to be extremely vigilant about pickpockets). To get there by metro, take line A trains to Ottavio - San Pietro (to St. Peter's Basilica) or Cipro (to the Vatican Museums). Popular (and very beautiful) walking route from Rome to the Vatican - from Piazza Venezia along Via Plebescita, Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via della Concigliazione; another option is from the above-mentioned Termini along Via Nazionale.

Visa

Since the Vatican is located in Italy, to visit it you need a valid Schengen visa and an insurance policy for the entire duration of the trip.

Currency of the Vatican

The country's currency is the Euro (EUR), 1 euro is 100 euro cents. Current rate: 1 EUR = 68.81 RUB.

Geography

The area of ​​the Vatican is 0.44 square meters. km, which can be easily walked up and down (taking into account the fact that a significant part of the city is closed to tourists). The length of the state border is 3.2 km. Most the territory is occupied by the Vatican Gardens, laid out on a gentle slope of a hill with a height of 19 to 75 m. A few hundred meters west of the city flows the Tiber River, on the opposite bank of which is located historical Center Rome.

Another 28 cathedrals and landmarks in Rome and its suburbs are considered the territory of the Vatican - the so-called non-border territories.

Vatican Maps

Transport

There is one in the Vatican Helipad and 852-meter Railway, connecting the railway station at St. Peter's Basilica with the main Italian network.

History of the Vatican

The beginning of the activity of the Roman popes, naturally, is most directly connected with the beginning of the spread of the Christian religion in the world. Thus, when faith began to spread quickly enough to require a representative of God on earth, the Romans laid the first stone for the construction of the Vatican.

The name itself, meanwhile, has a somewhat pagan connotation, since ager vaticanus is translated as “place of fortune telling.”

Thus, in 326, the Vatican began its existence as a special sacred place for the practice of Catholic worship. In fact, the city-state grew out of the burial place of St. Peter, to whom the main building in the country is dedicated.

However, the Vatican was officially recognized as a sovereign autonomy only in 1929, when Benito Mussolini decided to once and for all clarify the issue regarding the status of this state entity.

It is worth noting that due to the specifics of the entire public education, the Vatican sometimes breaks records. The main trend in the country is serious problems with demographics. Because birth here is more surprising than death.

Rules for visiting the Vatican

At the entrance to the Vatican, a standard security check is carried out - guests pass through a frame, their belongings are sent to a security checkpoint. Those who are found with weapons, knives, sharp, piercing metal objects (they can even find fault with a nail file), as well as alcohol, psychotropic, narcotic substances, medicines in large quantities, sharp-smelling, dyeing, toxic substances, are not allowed into the territory. pornography and materials that contribute to inciting any type of conflict.

You cannot enter the Vatican wearing clothes that do not cover your shoulders, knees, or stomach. Guests of any gender wearing shorts, tank tops, above-the-knee skirts, short T-shirts, transparent or torn clothing are not allowed in. Women may wear trousers and bare their heads.

Large bags, suitcases, backpacks, cane umbrellas, and tripods will be forced to be placed in a storage room. You should not take water and other liquids in glass bottles with you; most likely you will be asked to leave them at the entrance.

In the Vatican you are not only allowed to smoke, but also to light a cigarette. For violation - a fine of 30 EUR.

You can take photographs on the Vatican grounds with or without a tripod, but there are restrictions inside the museums. Photography is strictly prohibited in the Sistine Chapel. In St. Peter's Basilica and other museums you can take photos, but without flash or a tripod.

Shopping and shops

The Vatican is a rare state from which you need to bring local money rather than souvenirs purchased with it. As in neighboring European countries, the Vatican City currency is the euro; the state independently mints coins with local symbols (the reverse of Euro coins is the same everywhere, but each country issues its own obverse), thanks to which Vatican coins are the rarest in the EUR circulation area.

Among other rarities, the Vatican issues postage stamps, its own tourist guides and albums dedicated to the sights and history of the state. Let's also mention the usual tourist souvenirs - postcards, keychains and magnets.

When withdrawing cash from a Vatican ATM, be prepared to see Latin among the interface languages ​​offered.

Cuisine and restaurants

You can have a snack on the territory of the city-state in the cafeteria at the Vatican Museums (open during the same hours as the museums, and often grab an hour after they close). There is also a bar with soft drinks and a pizzeria. For a more substantial meal, go to Rome, since the distances are ridiculous.

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St. Peter's Cathedral

St. Peter's Basilica is the main attraction not only of the Vatican, but also of the surrounding Rome. It received its name from the grave of the Apostle Peter, presumably located on this site. This is a grandiose cathedral, inside which the largest temples in Europe can fit - to make sure of this, look for special marks on the floor marking their sizes. The height of the dome of the cathedral is 136 m, and the length of the central nave is 211 m. Outside and inside its walls you can see numerous masterpieces - from marble statues of Christ and the apostles to monuments to statesmen and majestic tombstones, including the resting place of Pope John Paul II. Also check out Michelangelo's stunning Pietà. You can climb to the top of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica (a little cheaper on your own or a little more expensive by elevator). Expect 1 hour round trip.

Such great artists as Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli and Bernini lived and worked in the Vatican.

St. Peter's Basilica is open from 9:00 to 19:00 in summer and until 18:00 in winter. On Wednesday morning the cathedral is closed for papal audiences. Photography is only permitted without flash.

Oval St. Peter's Square is located directly in front of the cathedral of the same name. The central obelisk was moved here by Emperor Caligula from Egypt in 37 in honor of the construction of the Circus of Nero (where thirty years later the Apostle Peter met his martyrdom). Also pay attention to the picturesque and very “fluffy” fountains.

If you stand on any of the two stones located on either side of St. Peter's Square, the four columns on the opposite side of the colonnade will merge into one.

Guides in the Vatican

Entertainment and attractions of the Vatican

Fans of massive structures, as well as opera fans, will be delighted by Sant'Angelo, one of the most majestic and outstanding historical buildings in Rome. It dates back to 135 and was originally the Mausoleum of Emperor Hadrian. After numerous medieval extensions and superstructures, the castle acquired a modern appearance, including the famous balcony with a colonnade, from where the inconsolable Tosca rushed. Opening hours: 9:00 to 18:30, closed on Mondays. An audio guide is offered.

Vatican Museums

The Vatican Museums are among the most remarkable and extensive in the world, famous primarily for the magnificent halls with paintings by Raphael and Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel. To understand the halls and not miss anything interesting, we recommend purchasing a map guide or using an audio guide upon entry. Due to long queues, it is recommended to book your visit in advance. To get to the Sistine Chapel, you need to go through all the halls of the museums (about 1 hour). Photographing its interior is prohibited, either with or without a flash. Well, when leaving the Vatican Museums, another masterpiece awaits you - a luxurious spiral marble staircase.

It is impossible not to pay attention to the cheerfully dressed soldiers of the Swiss Guard, who have been protecting the peace and security of the Vatican since 1506. The colorful striped form also comes in summer and winter colors. By the way, this is the smallest and oldest army in the world.

The Vatican is a unique state, small in area, but incredibly significant in content. The smallest country on Earth is located in the heart of the Italian capital. For most tourists visiting Rome, the Vatican, whose sights are among the priceless artistic heritage of mankind, becomes the object of a one-day excursion. Meanwhile, hundreds of Catholics from different countries come to Italy specifically to listen to a sermon and receive the blessing of the Pope.

Visa to the Vatican and where to get permission to enter

The dwarf enclave state is surrounded by a defensive wall along which the border runs. The wall protects the Vatican from illegal entry. Tourists and pilgrims enter the city through the gate leading to the museums, or through the oval square located in front of St. Peter's Basilica.

In areas where there is no wall, the boundary is drawn with a white line on the sidewalk.

In order to gain the right to enter the Vatican, take walks around the territory, take photos, shoot videos, and see the sights, an Italian Schengen visa is enough. Documents are checked upon entry into Italy.

An organized excursion, during which tourists explore the Vatican museums and gardens, climb the observation deck St. Peter's Cathedral, passes without customs checks. Likewise, an excursion to the Vatican itself is not associated with any border formalities other than control appearance. Guests travel freely across borders, however, they must have their passports with them, as documents can be checked at any time.

At the entrance to museums, personal belongings are tactfully searched, and backpacks are asked to be returned to a storage room.

Some tourists really want to have a visa in their passport as a souvenir of the voyage, but only officials are given a note about visiting the Vatican. Travelers are usually content to keep their tickets and buy bright booklets where the Vatican, attractions, photos and descriptions are present in every detail.

In addition, you can send a postcard or letter from the post office to anywhere in the world. The return address will indicate that you were truly in the center of Christianity.

How to get to the Vatican from Rome airport

The Vatican, located in the northwestern part of Rome and surrounded on all sides by city streets, is easiest to access by public transport. If the purpose of your visit to Italy is exclusively the Vatican Museums or an excursion to holy places, then from international airport Leonardo da Vinci you go straight to Piazza San Pietro.

There are many options for getting from Rome Airport to the Vatican by rail, road and metro.

For those who have ordered a transfer in advance, the question of how to get from Rome airport to the hotel and to any other point, including the Vatican, has already been resolved.

Another not the cheapest, but comfortable option is a Roman taxi from the airport to your destination.

The train (Leonardo Express) from L'aeroporto di Roma Fiumicino departs every half hour from six in the morning until half past eleven at night. After 30 minutes, passengers arrive at railway station TERMINI, transfer to buses, go down to the metro, go to their hotels and excursions.

Sometimes charter flights arrive at Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino. Tourists should know how to get to the Vatican from Ciampino Airport.

A bus will take you to the Termini central station, and then again by bus or metro.

How to get to the Vatican without traffic jams

Simple and convenient transport for a Russian tourist who does not speak foreign languages ​​very well is the Roman metro. Tickets are sold at the stations, the map makes it easy to navigate, the main thing is to know the station where you should get off.

To understand how to get to the Vatican, it is advisable to have a map of Rome in your hands, take the red line metro to the Cipro-Musei Vaticani station and walk a few meters to the entrance to the museums.

Another option is to exit the metro at Ottavio S.Pietro and proceed to the Vatican from the oval square, in which case the first object of the excursion will be St. Peter's Basilica.

How to get from Rome to the Vatican on foot

For environmental reasons, the airports of the capital of Italy are located outside the city limits, which is why the Vatican and its attractions come into the sight of tourists only an hour after arrival. However, most tourists devote To the Eternal City not one or two days.

Stunning Vatican Museums, a tour of the gardens and a climb to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica are just a small part of the beauty and wonders that Rome offers. Visitors need information on how to get to the Vatican not only from the airport, but also from other areas of the city, by transport and on foot.

For example, there are three reasonable ways to get from the Colosseum to the Vatican by public transport: metro, bus and a walk of about 3 km. Rome distracts the attention of a tourist traveling to the Vatican; photos, attractions and cozy cafes “lengthen the journey” somewhat. If you plan your route correctly, you will see Forum Romanum, the Capitol, and Piazza Navona.

After you enter the Vatican, public transport you won’t need it: the area of ​​the state is small, the tour of the Vatican is so fascinating that no video can convey the sensations of a person walking on the Holy Land. At the same time, do not forget to keep an eye on your personal belongings, since Rome in general and the Vatican in particular are readily visited by pickpockets, and their target is not the sights at all, but the bags of unwary, honest citizens.

What to take with you and how to dress for tourists in the Vatican

Everyone decides for themselves how to get to the Vatican with the greatest comfort. Motorists will have to leave their vehicles on Italian territory during the excursion to the Vatican. You will be walking through a country with an area of ​​only 0.44 square meters. km, but you will spend a lot of time on your feet in museums and gardens.

In addition, an excursion to the Vatican without going up to the observation deck of the Basilica Sancti Petri, as evidenced by reviews from tourists, loses half of its charm. You can climb to the top of the cathedral on foot, and the pleasure costs 5€. For 7 € you can ride the elevator, but only half the way: the remaining 320 steps inside the dome can only be climbed by those who do not suffer from claustrophobia. An indescribable view opens from above. As if in the palm of your hand you can see not only the Vatican, but also Rome; if you wish, you can see many sights, take photos and describe your impressions.

In order not to be distracted by everyday trifles, you need comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing. When deciding how to dress, you should always, even in the heat, take into account that the Vatican is first and foremost a center of Catholicism and only secondarily an excursion site.

Pants are required for men(they won't let you in in shorts) women can wear skirts or trousers, the main thing is that your knees, shoulders, and chest are covered.

Do not take drinks, food, knives and other sharp objects, as well as backpacks and large bags with you.

Take money for tickets and get ready to listen carefully and look with all your eyes.

Sights of the Vatican

Almost all tours to Rome include an excursion to the Vatican; reviews from tourists confirm how true this is. It is worth traveling hundreds of kilometers to get acquainted with the works of antiquity and the Renaissance.

A lot of interesting things await tourists in the center of Rome and on the island of Tiberina. In the evening you can stroll through the picturesque Trastevere quarter, but in the morning set aside at least half a day for the Vatican, excursions and buying souvenirs.

Tourists traveling as part of a group to the Vatican should postpone rest and lunch until a later time. Get ready for a fast pace, because you need to do a lot in 3-4 hours. The standard itinerary includes visiting St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Pinakothek, the papal apartments painted by Raphael, the gallery of modern art and other rooms filled with masterpieces of the past. A Vatican Gardens tour lasting about two hours is usually offered for a fee.

An interesting excursion to the Vatican can take place not only as part of a group: many experts prefer to admire the exhibitions on their own. For those who don’t know how to get to the Vatican Museums and Gardens, the map will tell you.

Entry tickets to the Vatican can be purchased after standing in a long line, or ordered in advance on the website, come with a printed voucher and redeemed at a separate ticket office (the service costs ~4€).

If you manage to find an audio guide in Russian, you will get a full-fledged tour of the Vatican; video and photography of all permitted objects is available to individual visitors without time restrictions (photography is prohibited in many halls).

On the last Sunday of the month, admission to museums is free. Of course, the lines are longer these days.

Wedding in the Vatican, price and order of ceremonies

The sermon of the head of the Catholic Church is intended for all Christians and is available to everyone. Every Sunday at noon, the pontiff addresses the faithful from the window of his office, ending his speech with a prayer. People from different countries come to Piazza San Pietro for the blessing.

Believers who cannot come in person turn to the Pope with messages, and not a single letter remains unanswered.

Catholic weddings in Rome are popular; ceremonies are held, as a rule, not in the Vatican, but in churches located on Italian territory, the price is determined by demand, and there are many who want it. For their money, couples entering married life get a wedding in a church overlooking the Vatican, a vacation in one of the most beautiful cities in the world and precious memories.

The best hotels near the Vatican in Rome

A honeymoon in one of the European cities is invariably filled with romance. Frivolous Paris excites the senses, Prague enchants, and old Rome seems to embrace guests and share its wisdom.

Italian Honeymoon- the perfect choice. At any time of the year, Italy, the Vatican, and the sights of Rome are worth the attention of tourists. Since the problem of how to get from Rome to the Vatican is easily solved, newlyweds have a chance to plunge into a whirlpool of impressions, replenish their knowledge and enrich their inner world. There are excellent hotels near the Vatican, however, any accommodation in Rome will not be an obstacle to an active pastime.

The capital of Italy is a metropolis; you can walk around Rome endlessly, each time discovering something new. For example, in the morning you will learn from your own experience how to get from the Colosseum to the Vatican across the Tiber, and spend the evening in one of the restaurants, clubs, or just stroll through the park, treating yourself to wonderful Roman ice cream. You can devote one day to shopping, but definitely spend the other day in the Vatican Museums.

What to buy in the Vatican

An eternal question tormenting tourists who are ready to leave the Vatican: what to buy as a souvenir, what relics to bring home. Museum shops throughout the country, as well as near the border, are replete with Christian-themed souvenirs. A cross, an amulet, a pendant with an image of an angel are souvenirs that are worn on the body. People buy such things both for themselves and as an expensive religious gift.

If your friend is interested in philately and numismatics, and you came to the Vatican without him, the question of what to buy as a gift is resolved instantly: stamps and coins of a unique country will become the most valuable exhibits in his collection. In general, guests take away the most expensive souvenirs from the Vatican in their hearts.

When is the best time to visit the Vatican, climate and events

The climate in the Vatican is exactly the same as in Rome: hot summer, mild but rainy winter, comfortable autumn, wonderful spring.

In summer there are usually a lot of tourists, long queues at museums. On religious holidays (Palm Sunday, Easter, Christmas) masses are held. Thousands of believers come specifically to listen to the Pope's holiday messages.

If your goal is tourism, then it is better to choose days when there are no religious holidays.

The Vatican is a country with a population of less than a thousand people. State language Vatican is "dead" Latin. The country's army - the smallest in the world - consists of hundreds of Swiss Guards. The artistic, architectural and park masterpieces for which crowds of people flock to the Vatican are priceless.

The smallest state in the world never ceases to amaze, and therefore constantly attracts the attention of guests from all over the world. Come and you won’t regret it.

The Vatican is a city-state inside Rome, completely independent from Italy, located on Vatican Hill - Mons Vaticanus. The name of the hill, Vaticinia, is translated from Latin as “place of fortune telling.” The Vatican is an absolute theocratic monarchy, that is, the country is ruled by a religious person.

The Vatican is the seat of the highest spiritual leadership of the Roman Catholic Church.

There is a thin white line on St. Peter's Square that many tourists don't even notice, but this is the state border. Having stepped through it, we find ourselves in another state, where there is a station and its own railway about 900 meters long, a bank and currency - before it was the Vatican lira, but now it is the euro. There is also a flag - white with crossed yellow keys. It publishes its own newspaper and even has a gas station, post office and radio station, not to mention priceless works of painting and sculpture.

The Vatican is the smallest dwarf state in the world. Its area is 440 square meters. Due to the small area, foreign embassies are located on the territory of Rome.

The population is about 1000 people, the length of the state border is 3.2 km, which basically coincides with the high and thick defensive wall built in the 9th century by Pope Leo VI. To protect the state, the Swiss Guard is used, subordinate directly to the papal throne. Their striking medieval form may have been invented by Michelangelo himself, although there is no direct evidence of this.

How to get to the Vatican

• By metro - line A, towards Battistini - stop Cipro-Musei Vaticani or Ottaviano-S. Pietro. From both stops it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the Vatican
• By bus - routes No. 32, 81 and 982 to Piazza del Risorgimento, from which it is a five-minute walk to the Vatican
• By tram number 19, this is the longest line, starting from Piazza Gerani - Gerani, crossing the whole of Rome and ending at Piazza del Risorgimento.
• If you arrive in Rome on cruise ship, then you do NOT need to go to Termini Central Station. You need to get off at San Pietro station. From Roma San Pietro station it is a 5-10 minute walk to the Vatican.

Vatican - from history

Until 1871, the Vatican owned several so-called papal states, covering an area of ​​about 16,000 square kilometers with a population of over 3 million people. On May 13, 1871, these states were incorporated into the Kingdom of Italy.

In its modern form, the independent Vatican arose on February 11, 1929 under Mussolini, when the Lateran Agreement was signed, according to which the king recognized the spiritual authority of the pope and his dominion over the Vatican, in turn, the pope recognized the king and promised to allow tourists into the Sistine Chapel and other museums that remained in his possession. In honor of this event, the Conciliazione street was cut through, leading from the Tiber embankment to St. Peter's Square.

The Pope is elected by a conclave of cardinals, and the role of government is performed by the Roman Curia, headed by the Secretary of State. Administrative affairs are carried out by the cardinal's commission, and it has something to do. It was recently found that the crime rate in the Vatican is almost the highest in the world, and compared to the surrounding Italy, it is 20 times higher. This is explained by the fact that tourists, overwhelmed by world masterpieces, completely lose their vigilance and become easy prey for thieves.

Sights of the Vatican

Among the main attractions of the Vatican are the following:

• St. Peter's Square, designed by the great architect Giovanni Bernini and intended to become a meeting place for Catholics from all over the world
• St. Peter's Basilica, built in the 15th-17th centuries, in the creation of which Donato Bramante, Michelangelo's Buonaroti and Giovanni Bernini took part. The cathedral is world center Catholicism
• The Vatican or Papal Palace, consisting of more than 1000 rooms, including chapels and museums, the papal library. The most famous chapel of the palace is the Sistine Chapel with ceiling frescoes by Michelangelo and the Raphael Rooms, designed by the famous Italian artist Raphael
• The Vatican Gardens, occupying more than half of the entire territory of the state.

Vatican Gardens

If you have climbed the dome of St. Peter's Basilica, you have seen how tempting the Vatican Gardens look, located behind St. Peter's Basilica.

The Vatican Gardens were laid out under Pope Nicholas III in the 13th century, when he moved his residence here from the Lateran Palace. Initially, medicinal plants, fruits and vegetables were grown in the gardens, and then a park was laid out here in the 16th century. The gardens contain many Mediterranean and exotic plants; there are antique sculptures and historical monuments, fountains and beautiful buildings.

You can only explore the Vatican Gardens with a guided tour by booking a ticket in advance on the website biglietteriamusei.vatican.va.

The duration of the excursion is two hours. You shouldn’t expect that while walking through the park you will be shown something unusual - neither railway station, you won’t see the barracks where the Swiss guards live. The most interesting place will be the garden pavilion of Pope Pius IV, which is a whole micro-city with an oval courtyard and curtain walls.

One of the attractions of the park is the Galera fountain, located near the papal palace, which shoots jets of water from all its guns. This fountain was very loved by the future Pope Urban VII, in the world of Matteo Barberini, who glorified this work of art with a Latin saying, translated meaning: “The machine for warfare, belonging to the popes, shoots not fire, but fresh water, which extinguishes the flames of war."

Official website of the Vatican

Please note that visitors wearing shorts, short skirts, backpacks or large bags are not allowed into the Vatican. You cannot bring knives, umbrellas or alcoholic drinks with you.

Even though the Vatican is a separate state, you still don’t need a special visa to enter the papal domain - an ordinary Schengen visa is enough. To do this, you need to submit documents to one of visa centers, which are not only in and, but also in other cities.

The list of documents is standard: international passport, proof of booking tickets and hotel rooms, bank account statement - for a trip of up to 5 days an amount of at least 269 euros is required ( ~18,510 rub. ). Since 2015, biometric data (fingerprints) have been added to this list. Detailed instructions on obtaining a Schengen visa you can read.

As for customs, the rules are also standard - almost any souvenirs are allowed to be transported across the border, except those that are antiques or valuable works of art. Currency can also be brought in and out of the country, but amounts over 10,329 euros ( ~710,738 rub. ) for Russians and citizens of countries outside the European Union are subject to declaration.

Money

There were two periods in the history of the Vatican when this tiny state had its own currency - the first time from 1866 to 1870, and the second time in the 20th century after the recognition of its sovereignty under the Lateran Treaty. True, along with the papal lire, the ordinary Italian lire also circulated freely here, so there were never any problems with payments.

In 2002, the Vatican switched to payments in euros, but this time too unique country I didn’t want to lose my uniqueness. The original euros are minted here - with the image of the Pope on one side. By the way, this money is freely accepted for payment not only in the papal dominions, but also outside them. And, of course, they are an excellent souvenir that every tourist is sure to have.

Is it possible to pay by card? Of course you can. In 2013, during the investigation into the illegal circulation of money in the Vatican Bank, this possibility was closed, but now everything is in order.

Interesting fact: in the Vatican there are two separate budgets - that of the state itself and that of the Holy See, and neither of them involves the deduction of taxes. However, this tax-free city-state is partly financed by Italy - every Italian pays 0.8% income tax to the state treasury or the church.

How to get to the Vatican

The mini-state of the Vatican is located in the western part of Rome - on a hill called Vaticanus. As you might guess, this place is popular among tourists and many public transport routes go here.

How to get there from Termini Station:

• Option 1

  Bus: Route no. 64 to the Cavalleggeri/fornaci stop.

  On foot: the journey from the stop to will take no more than 5 minutes.

• Option 2

  Bus: Routes no. 32, 81 or 982 to the Piazza del Risorgimento stop.

• Option 3

  Bus: route no. 49 to V.le Vaticano/pisani near the entrance to .

• Option 4

  Metro: take the red line to Cipro Musei Vaticani or San Pietro station.

• Option 5

  Tram: Route no. 19 to the Cavalleggeri/fornaci stop.

How to get there from Fiumicino Airport:

• Option 1

  Train: You need to go to the train station located right at Fiumicino airport, take the Leonardo express (runs every half hour) and go to Roma Termini. Then you can transfer to the metro or bus.

• Option 2

  Train: At the railway station at the airport you need to take the train going along the FM1 Sabina-Fiumicino line and get to Trastevere.

  Metro: At Trastevere station you need to change to the red metro line and get to Roma San Pietro station.

• Option 3

  Bus: on the Sitbusshuttle route from terminal no. 3, get to the Via Crescenzio stop, and from there walk a short distance.

From Piazza della Repubblica in the center of Rome:

• Option 1

  Bus: Route no. 64 from the Nazionale/quattro Fontane stop to Cavalleggeri/fornaci.

You can also get to the Vatican by rented car or taxi. In the latter case, it is recommended not to take a taxi directly at the airport, but to order it in advance via the Internet.

IMPORTANT: if you are traveling to Italy to visit the Vatican, you do not have to fly to Rome; you can choose a flight to Milan (usually this is more convenient and cheaper). And from Milan you can get there in 3 hours by train from Milano Centrale station, in 8.5 hours by Ouibus night bus or in 5-6 hours by car.

Vatican on the map

Main attractions

The Vatican can easily be considered the leader among all states in the number of attractions per square kilometer. The very foundation of this country is associated with the landmark, under the altar of which there is the tomb of the apostle. Following the cathedral, palaces, administrative buildings, gardens, fountains and galleries grew here.

However, for a long time the Vatican was located behind the fortress wall of Rome and was not protected from predatory raids. Therefore, from 848 to 852, the defensive Leonine Wall was erected around it, which was originally the Vatican border. Today, the papal possessions extend beyond these limits, for example, they include the Basilica of San Giovanni, Castel Gandolfo and several educational institutions.

St. Peter's Square and Basilica

The main cathedral of Rome, dating back to 326, was built on the site of the ancient Roman necropolis in which the Apostle Peter was buried. According to legend, Peter’s grave should be directly under the altar, and as a result of excavations carried out already in the 20th century, it turned out that it was indeed located there.

Tomb of the Apostle Peter under the altar Tomb of the Apostle Peter under the altar

For centuries, the best craftsmen in Italy worked on the cathedral, and here everyone will find something to see. The building was designed by Bramante, Michelangelo worked on the dome, Carlo Maderna worked on the facade, and inside you can see frescoes by Giotto, statues by Arnolfo di Cambio, Bernini and, again, Michelangelo Buonarroti. Today this temple is under the protection of UNESCO (as, indeed, the entire territory of the Vatican), and is also considered one of the most striking masterpieces of world architecture.

In front of the cathedral in 1667, a round square was laid out, bounded on both sides by a snow-white colonnade. In its center is the Egyptian obelisk, which was brought to Rome in 37 by Emperor Caligula. Previously, the obelisk was installed 300 meters further from the cathedral, but in 1585 Sixtus V decided to move it to the center of the future square - this enormous task took almost six months.

Vatican Museums

There are 26 museums open on the territory of the Vatican, including the famous Sistine Chapel (which is worth mentioning separately). Among them there are art Gallery Pinakothek, collections of ancient Roman and ancient Greek sculptures, the Vatican library with rare copies of books, and much more.

Each museum has its own unique exhibits:

• The Pius Clement Museum is full of ancient busts and statues.

Tomb of Helen - wife of Constantine I - in the hall of the Greek cross

• The Missionary Ethnological Museum offers to see ancient religious objects from Oceania, South and North America, Asia and African countries.

• The Gregorian Museum of the Etruscans includes 22 halls with dishes, statues, and items of Etruscan life.

Archaeological finds from the 9th-1st centuries BC. e.

• The Gregorian Museum of Egypt, with mummies and sarcophagi, contains artifacts dating back more than 4,000 years.

• The Pius Christian Museum will tell you about the history of the birth of Christianity in Rome.

• The Borgia Apartments in the Apostolic Palace will amaze the imagination with unique frescoes.

Image of the prophets in the Hall of Sibyls "Arithmetic" in the Hall of Arts Hall of Wonders of Faith

• Raphael's Stanzas and Raphael's Loggia will demonstrate the best examples of the great artist's work.

Also on the territory of the museum complex, which includes the Apostolic Palace, the Belvedere Palace and the two wings connecting these buildings, there are a couple of interesting spiral staircases. One of them was built by Donato Bramante, and the second by Giuseppe Momo. Today, movement is only allowed along the Momo stairs.

IMPORTANT: All Vatican Museums can be visited with a single ticket, which costs from 17 euros ( ~1,170 rub. ) and higher; They also have a common work schedule - from 09:00 to 18:00. And on the last Sunday of the month - free entry!

The Sistine Chapel

Built in the 15th century, it has been considered one of the most important rooms of the Vatican for several centuries. And not only because Michelangelo himself painted its walls and ceiling. This chapel is where the election of the new Pope takes place.

As is known, government system The Vatican assumes that the position of pontiff is for life. After his death, a specially authorized cardinal - camerlengo or chamberlain - must verify the death by calling the Pope by his name three times. If the death is confirmed, the cardinals prepare for the funeral and nine days of mourning, and then convene a conclave to elect a new Pope. Gathered in the Sistine Chapel, the conclave members take the oath and lock themselves in for the duration of the vote.

The appearance of black smoke above the chapel means that the voting round was in vain, and if white smoke billows, it means that the conclave has reached an agreement and a new pontiff has been chosen. Thus, the Sistine Chapel is not only a work of art, it has played an important role in maintaining the institution of the papacy for many years.

Despite the many buildings, about half of the Vatican area is dedicated to beautiful park. It was founded back in the 13th century, however, mostly not for beauty, but for the sake of growing useful plants. Now gardens serve only an aesthetic function.

Cypress trees, palm trees, pine trees, many ornamental shrubs and neatly trimmed lawns grow here. For local residents paths are laid out for guests, and in the thickets live squirrels, lizards, rabbits and the most different types birds, including parrots. There's even one here artificial cave Grota di Lourde. However, you can only visit these gardens accompanied by a guide and pre-book a tour.

Interesting fact: in the depths of the park, in its western part, there is a papal helioport - a small helipad that provides air traffic between the Vatican and Rome Fiumicino Airport.

Today, this small church is considered the oldest in the Vatican of all those that have survived to this day. This title could be given to St. Peter's Cathedral, but in its design almost nothing remains from the basilica of 326.

Like the famous cathedral, Santo Stefano degli Abyssini stands above an ancient Roman necropolis. The first building on this site dates back to around the 5th century - it was the church of the monastery of St. Stephen. However, the first building was destroyed, and the second appeared here in 1159 by decree of the pontiff Alexandra III. Afterwards a major reconstruction took place in 1479, as a result of which the temple acquired almost modern look. The façade was renovated in the 18th century, but retains the medieval portal. Inside you can see ancient Roman columns and a 15th-century fresco of the Virgin and Child.

Archaeological Sites

Archaeological excavations have been carried out in the Vatican for many years; a special papal commission has even been created on this occasion. Today, two archaeological zones are open to tourists:

• The necropolis on Via Triumphalis is a complex of ancient Roman burials from the time of Emperor Augustus (about 23 BC) discovered in 2003. There are paths for visitors here from which they can explore the area of ​​the ancient necropolis.

• Excavations under the Basilica of Saint Giovanni on the Lateran Hill - here you can see the remains of ancient houses from the time of Emperor Nero.

Of course, these are not all the attractions of the Vatican - there are a huge number of interesting objects on its territory. If you have free time, a walk in these places can take up to 8 hours, and this is far from the limit.

Interesting: at St. Anne's Gate is the oldest pharmacy in the world, dating back to 1277. There are rare drugs on sale here that are difficult to find in other pharmacies in Rome. True, access here for tourists is very limited.

Weather

As you might guess, the weather in the Vatican is about the same as throughout Rome. But there is one caveat: due to the location of this mini-state, as well as the abundance of fountains, fogs occur here a little more often.

The optimal time for a trip is late spring and early summer or early autumn. However, winter is also suitable for excursions, because it is quite warm here, with temperatures from 0 to +15 degrees. But the height of summer is suitable only for the most heat-loving people - at this time it is very hot, without sunscreen And hats are indispensable.

Traveling around the country

Inside the Vatican, most tourists travel on foot. There are a lot of attractions concentrated here in a relatively small area, and they are all located so close to each other that it simply doesn’t make sense to use transport.

However, transport network there is one here, and it is well developed. On the periphery of the Vatican domains there are Roman buses, trams, and even its own railway line (although it is used mainly for transporting goods). As a rule, tourists travel by bus, tram or metro to the entrance to or to St. Peter's Square.

You should know: Rome has day and night buses, the latter designated by the letter N. Tickets can be bought at a tobacconist or newsstand and are valid for 90 minutes (but there are also tickets for a day or more).

It is also possible to rent a car, but for getting around the papal domain, renting a car makes little sense. Firstly, the area of ​​the mini-state is small, and secondly, in many places the movement of vehicles is limited. To this should be added very expensive parking lots and gas stations that are not open on Sundays. But if you still want to drive a rented car, you will need an international license and a credit card.

Mobile communications and Internet

Any individual operators mobile communications not in the Vatican, everyone here uses the services of Italian providers. And in this regard, there is only one problem - far from cheap tariffs.

The largest operators in Italy:

• Vodafone;
• Wind;
• 3 Italia (smartphones only).

IMPORTANT: When activating a SIM card, about 7-10 euros will be charged from it ( ~688 rub. ), and the process itself can take up to a day or more in some cases.

Food and drink

In the Vatican, as in all of Italy, you can try the famous National dishes- pizza and pasta. Both are prepared in a huge variety. For example, pasta can be made from long spaghetti or short bucatini, from thin capellini or banal maccheroni, and all this with dozens of sauces. Cheese, seafood and fresh vegetables also occupy a huge place.

As for desserts, you should definitely try gelato (gelato or gelato) - a unique Italian ice cream. The national fast food specialty will be suppli - fried rice balls with tomato and mozzarella. And from drinks - of course, coffee. They say that in Italy it is not customary to drink cappuccino during the day (only in the morning), but, firstly, you can ignore this custom, and secondly, the Americano here is also very, very tasty.

Where and what to eat inside the Vatican:

• Breakfast or lunch at the museum at the Ristorante - this option is included in the price of some tickets, it includes admission to the attractions and booked on certain time table (food is included in the package price). Read more in .
• Bistro Caffè-Bistrot La Pigna, located in the Pigna courtyard (Pine cone courtyard) - there is a buffet breakfast here in the mornings.
• Caffè Le Carrozze, a cafe overlooking the Pinacoteca, located near the Carriage Department, offers coffee, pastries and snacks with tables on the summer terrace or inside the building.
• A pizzeria with the simple name Pizzeria, which is easy to find just outside the Sistine Chapel - in addition to pizza, they offer delicious pancakes.

Interesting fact: food for the Pope is prepared by five nuns who create a special menu - not necessarily Italian. For example, Pontiff John Paul II preferred Polish cuisine.

Shopping

Of course, in a state like the Vatican, you won’t find branded perfumes or expensive clothing stores, although there are still retail outlets here. Moreover, in the “papal” pharmacy and in the supermarket the prices are slightly lower than in Rome. And everything would be fine if not for one “but”: shopping in these places is available only to local residents. Even the Italians themselves cannot go shopping in the Vatican anywhere other than the souvenir shop and a few cafes.

Souvenir shop on the roof of St. Peter's Basilica

However, this does not mean that you will have to leave here without shopping. There is a souvenir shop at St. Peter's Basilica, as well as a bookstore and a post office.

What to bring from the Vatican:

• Replicas of antique crucifixes and rosaries or jewelry from the cathedral gift shop.
• Unique postcards and postage stamps that are not sold anywhere else in the world.
• A disc with a recording of the Lord's Prayer said by the Pope himself.
• An original bottle for holy water - for example, in the shape of a figurine of the Mother of God.

Also, crosses, icons, and “non-religious” souvenirs are often brought from the Vatican as gifts - colorful magnets with an image of St. Peter’s Basilica or one of Raphael’s frescoes.

Holidays and Events

Since the Vatican is a stronghold of Catholicism, church holidays are of particular importance here - Christmas, Easter, Epiphany Day (January 6), Peter and Paul Day (June 29), immaculate conception Virgin Mary (December 8) and others. These dates are celebrated with solemn services, which many residents of Rome strive to attend.

There is another important date that is not a religious holiday, but is widely celebrated here - this is February 11, the day of the founding of the Vatican City State. Thus, in winter this place can also be very interesting.

The largest celebrations are, of course, dedicated to Christmas and New Year. A Christmas tree and nativity scene are usually installed in St. Peter's Square, and processions and parades are held. But keep in mind that in holidays There is always an influx of tourists here, and it is unlikely that you will be able to examine the sights in detail.

Mentality of the population

The peculiarities of the Vatican mentality were formed over the centuries-old history of the Catholic Church. The emergence of the Vatican itself dates back to 1929, when the Lateran Agreement was signed, but the institution of the papacy has existed much longer, and all this time it has sought to dominate the world. Practical, ambitious people with excellent organizational skills rose to the top of power here.

Thus, the main features of the Vatican mentality can be considered the desire for leadership, practicality, and conservatism. However, the current 266th Pope Francis has done a lot to make the stronghold of the Catholic Church more open, sincere and merciful.

The Vatican is a place covered with dozens of legends, and it is not surprising that its museums are among the five most visited in the world. Few people, being in Rome, would not want to find out what the ancient fortress wall hides, behind which this miniature state lies. You don’t have to be a Catholic to be interested in its history, because it is connected with the emergence of Christianity and with the most important events in world culture. Its palaces, archaeological excavations, and works of great Renaissance masters make ancient events close and real. If anywhere the words “living history” take on meaning, it is here.

The Vatican in Rome is a unique “state within a state”, the residence of the Pope and the center of the entire Catholic world. In addition, it is also a real cultural treasury, full of architectural, sculptural and pictorial values, an amazing historical monument, and for Christians - the center of the most important Christian relics. And although all this is located on a piece of land with an area of ​​only 44 hectares, sometimes you need to visit Rome and the Vatican several times to see all the beauties of this tiny state.

What's the best way to plan a visit to the Vatican? Given the incredible wealth of the museum's collections, the sheer size of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, and the variety of attractions, it makes sense to plan a visit to the Vatican yourself. This will give you a wonderful opportunity to proceed from your own interests and capabilities. Standard excursions, as a rule, allow you to walk “over the top” and “run through” the most Famous places in the Vatican. But only independent travel allows you to consider what is interesting to you, explore places at your rhythm and in accordance with your preferences. Let's figure out how to visit the Vatican on your own and get the most out of it.

How to choose a time to visit

Despite the modest size of the Vatican, huge queues of tourists and believers from all over the world flock to it every day. To save energy, have time to see more and avoid crowds, it is best to go to the Vatican in the morning, while you are full of energy and before it is filled with tourist groups. St. Peter's Cathedral is open from 7 am, the Vatican Museums - from 9.00.

According to the observations of many travelers, the days freest from crowds are Tuesday and Thursday. The busiest day is Wednesday, as the Pope speaks in St. Peter's Square on Wednesdays. On Sunday the Vatican is quite free, but only because all the museums are closed.

The time of year also affects the number of visitors to the Vatican. January and February are the most best months for those who appreciate art and want to enjoy it to the fullest, at a relatively relaxed pace and without ending up in the incredibly dense crowd that gathers in the Sistine Chapel.

On the last Sunday of the month, admission to the Vatican Museums is free. Many tourists are tempted by this, however, the incredible overload of the Vatican with the number of visitors these days can spoil the impression and bring nothing but fatigue.

It should also be remembered that in some cases the Vatican is completely closed to tourists - this is due to events and visits of high-ranking guests.

Opening hours of St. Peter's Basilica: from October 1 to March 31 – 7.00-18.30 (closed January 1 and 6); from April 1 to September 30 – 7.00-19.00.

Opening hours of the Vatican Museums: from Monday to Saturday – 9.00-18.00 (entrance and ticket office – until 16.00). From May 6 to July 29 and from September 2 to October 28, the museums are also open on Friday nights (19.00-23.00, entry until 21.30). Closed on Sundays, except the last Sunday of the month (from 9.00 to 12.30 admission is free!)

How to best plan a visit to the Vatican

Two places in the Vatican attract especially many tourists. And each of them is distinguished by its gigantic size and abundance of attractions. This Saint Paul's Cathedral And . Each of these places has a separate entrance (to the Museums - paid, to the Cathedral - free). When planning your visit, keep in mind that exploring the museum's collections alone can take a whole day! And this despite the fact that only a small part of the treasury of world art is on display for tourists in museums - some rooms are closed to the public. As, incidentally, the part of the Vatican where the Pope and the administrative bodies of the Catholic Church live and conduct their business is also closed.

Is it worth visiting both the cathedral and the Vatican Museums on the same day? It depends on your interests and physical capabilities. If you plan to carefully study the rich collection of Museums, we recommend planning a visit to them on a separate day. Even a simple walk through the vast Vatican Museum complex can be tiring, and if you linger in each of the halls to look at the exhibits, the visit will definitely be lengthy. Will you still have the strength to explore the cathedral after this? It's very individual. And St. Peter's Cathedral deserves a separate careful study.

You only have to pay for admission to the Vatican Museums. There is no charge to visit St. Peter's Basilica, and it is accessible to visitors throughout the day (except when the entire Vatican is completely closed). Thus, you can save energy by dividing your visit to the Vatican into two parts, one of which will be entirely devoted to exploring the museum complex, and the second to visiting St. Peter’s Basilica and the adjacent square.

If you have little time in Rome, and you want to do as much as possible in short term, then you can easily visit both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica in one go. But in this case, determine in advance what exactly you want to see in the Museums so that you can immediately rush to the halls that interest you. Otherwise, you risk staying there for a long time.

If the standard program is not enough for you, and time allows, you can also order an additional excursion to Vatican Gardens (Giardini Vaticani) – « green heart» tiny state. Beautiful sculptures, historical fountains, rare plants, and magnificent landscape design make this park area, which occupies more than 20 hectares, a pleasant island of nature and art. Visiting the Vatican Gardens is only possible with an organized tour, which must be booked in advance.

One of the most difficult to reach, but interesting places Vatican - ancient necropolis, located under St. Peter's Basilica, under the Vatican Grottoes, at the floor level of the oldest basilica, built in the 4th century. Ancient frescoes from the early Christian period have been preserved in the necropolis. And the main shrine and value of these “Vatican dungeons” is tomb of St. Apostle Peter. It was above it that the basilica was once built, it is the resting place of the apostle that is the spiritual center of the Vatican, it is above this tomb that the main altar of the cathedral is installed. Access to St. Peter's Tomb and the ancient Roman necropolis requires special advance reservations.

How to get to the Vatican on your own

As an enclave state, the Vatican is located on the territory of Rome, the Italian capital. And despite the formal status of a city-state, the border between Italy and the Vatican is very arbitrary and is crossed freely.

It is convenient to get to the Vatican by metro. If you plan to start your visit to the Vatican from St. Peter's Basilica, the nearest station is Ottaviano – San Pietro. From the metro exit to the Vatican is a 7-10 minute walk. If you are visiting the Vatican Museums first, then go to the metro station Cipro. From here you will quickly reach the entrance to the museum complex. To avoid getting lost, use the offline map in our.

Tickets to the Vatican

For entry to Saint Paul's Cathedral There is no charge, nor is there a fee to visit the magnificent square in front of it. But to climb the dome of the cathedral you need to purchase a ticket (if it includes an elevator ride, it costs a little more than usual).

Visit Vatican Museums paid. You can pay only the entrance and explore the museum treasures on your own, or you can book a tour or take a museum audio guide (in the Vatican Museums it is issued with special equipment, which is handed over upon exit). The official audio guide in the Vatican Museums is available in Russian.

ADVICE. The official audio guide will “guide” you through all the halls, telling you in detail about the exhibits, but this can also lead to the fact that by the end of the route you will be left completely exhausted. But the famous Sistine Chapel is located right at the end of the route! Therefore, consider the size of the museum, your interests and time frame. Perhaps it makes sense to skip certain rooms so as not to miss the main thing. After all, if you linger in each of the halls, even a day may not be enough to explore the museum!

As a rule, there is a long queue before entering the Vatican Museums. Depending on the season, day of the week and time of day, it can be simply long or incredibly long. Wasting valuable time in Rome waiting in line is simply a crime. And it’s very easy to avoid long waits - book tickets to the Vatican Museums online. The entrance to the museum is divided into two streams - a huge queue stands at the museum ticket office and consists of tourists who do not have tickets. And for those who have a printout of an online reservation, there is a special queue, which is never large (and sometimes there is none at all) and moves very quickly. If you speak English, the most economical and convenient option is to book tickets on the official Vatican website.

The Vatican on your own: what to consider when visiting

When visiting St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, you should remember that this is a temple that is a shrine for millions of people. Therefore, here, as in other basilicas, it operates dress code– knees and shoulders must be covered. You shouldn't go to the Vatican Museums in shorts and miniskirts either.

It is important to choose a light and comfortable one shoes, because you will spend the whole day on your feet. And if you decide to climb the dome, you will also have to climb the spiral staircase.

The Vatican takes issues seriously security. You should not take large bags, backpacks, cane umbrellas or long tripods with you to the Vatican Museums - all this will have to be left in the storage room. It is better to go to the Vatican lightly - this will not only simplify the verification procedure, but will save energy, which will require a lot.

Bring a bottle with you water. You will probably spend a lot of time in the Vatican, and you will need it. Especially in the vast area of ​​St. Peter's Basilica, where there are no shops. There is a cafe in the Vatican Museums, but take into account the incredible flow of people - it is rare to find a free place there.

The Vatican accepts payment Euro. Moreover, those coins minted by the Vatican (each Eurozone country produces coins with its own symbols on one side) are themselves souvenirs and are valued by collectors.

In the Vatican cards don't workRoma Pass.

Vatican Museums: what to look for

Numerous exhibits in the halls of the Vatican Museums cover a huge historical period. Antiquity, Renaissance, Baroque and even modern religious art are presented here in all their fullness and splendor. Collections of outstanding works of art have been collected over the centuries. Even if you choose the best time to visit the Vatican and prepare well, it is likely that you will not have time to fully explore all 54 rooms open to the general public.

The halls in the Vatican Museums are arranged in such a way that visitors go sequentially all the way through numerous collections of the most valuable works of art to one of the most coveted places - the Sistine Chapel. You won’t be able to get into the most famous chapel in the world right away - you must go through many other museum halls to get to it.

So, what should you pay special attention to? Everyone has their own tastes and interests, we will highlight only the most famous and popular halls.

Pinacoteca Vaticana

The Vatican Pinacoteca is definitely worth paying special attention to. The Pinakothek was founded in the second half of the 18th century. Amazing paintings on religious themes are collected here. These are mainly works by Italian masters: Giotto, Beato Angelico, Melozzo da Forli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio, Guido Reni, Titian. Among the pearls of the Pinakothek collection are the Stefaneschi triptych by Giotto; "Madonna and Child and Saints" and "Resurrection" by Perugino; “Madonna di Foligno”, “Transfiguration”, “Coronation of Mary” by Raphael; "Saint Jerome" by Leonardo da Vinci; "Entombment" by Caravaggio; “The Wedding of Our Lady” by Lippi and other masterpieces.

Ancient art (ancient, Egyptian, Etruscan)

Among the halls dedicated to ancient art, it is worth highlighting Pius-Clementino Museum, which houses the famous sculptural group “Laocoon and Sons” and a huge number of other works of Greek and Roman classical art. Antique works of art can also be seen in Gallery of candelabra (Galleria delle Candelabri), Chiaramonti Museum.

If you are interested in history and culture ancient egypt, a large collection of Egyptian antiquities, including mummies, you will find in Gregorian Egyptian Museum(Museo Gregoriano Egizio). A Gregorian Etruscan Museum (Museo Gregoriano Etrusco) will introduce you to the ancient culture of the Etruscans, which had a huge influence on the culture of Ancient Rome.

Early Christian art is represented in Museum Pio-Cristiano– here you will see works of art from the Roman catacombs, sarcophagi, reliefs, tombstones.

Tapestries and antique maps

In the luxurious upper galleries you can see many rare works of art. For example, in Galleria degli Arazzi there are magnificent ancient tapestries made according to sketches by Raphael Santi by his students. A Gallery geographical maps(Galleria delle Carte Geografiche) stores almost fifty old maps of various areas.

Paintings by Pinturichio in the Borgia apartments

Apartment Borgia (Appartamento Borgia), formerly the personal residence of Pope Alexander VI Borgia at the end of the 15th century, they are distinguished by their lavish interior. The famous painter Bernardino Pinturicchio also worked on it.

Raphael's Stanze di Raffaello

Among the most “tasty” things that the Vatican Museums can show, it is also worth noting the famous “Raphael’s dances”. Stanzas are the living rooms of Pope Julius II, the painting of which was once entrusted to the young Raphael. It's hard to believe that once upon a time a great genius was essentially involved in residential interior design. Raphael himself painted 3 stanzas, and the fourth was designed by his students based on his sketches after the artist’s death.

The Sistine Chapel (Capella Sistina)

The Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most famous landmark of the Vatican, rivaled only by St. Peter's Cathedral. The name of the chapel is associated with the name of Pope Sixtus V, who ordered the construction of the chapel, which served as a house church. The chapel is famous, first of all, for its paintings, in which the genius of Michelangelo was so clearly demonstrated. Visitors are especially impressed by the ceiling painting, which is a whole cycle of frescoes depicting biblical scenes, as well as the painting of the altar wall, illustrating the “Last Judgment.” In addition, such Renaissance masters as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Perugino worked on the design of the chapel.

The Sistine Chapel is not only a Renaissance monument, but also a religious building. It is here that conclaves are held - meetings of cardinals to elect the Pope.

ADVICE. The Sistine Chapel is located almost at the very end of the path through the numerous halls of the museum complex. For this reason, many visitors enter the chapel already very tired. Add to this the incredible density of the crowd in the chapel (especially in the summer season) and we get what many tourists call disappointment. After all, being exhausted, it is very difficult to appreciate the brilliant paintings. Therefore, we recommend setting priorities and calculating your strength in order to perceive art, and not think about tired legs.

Please be aware that taking photographs in the Sistine Chapel is strictly prohibited, as is talking loudly.

Exit from the museum complex

There are two ways to leave the Sistine Chapel - through the general exit, which leads to Michelangelo's famous spiral staircase, and through the side door, which is intended for exit tourist groups and guides. Using the general exit, you will find yourself in several more museum halls, and after that a dressing room and the official exit from the museum will await you.

If you realize that you have absolutely no strength left, or you want to quickly and without waiting in line to get into St. Peter’s Cathedral, then you can use a trick and try to use a small “cheat” by leaving the chapel through the side door on the right, which is almost always open. This is not entirely according to the rules, but usually no one prevents this - the participants come out the door group excursions, and you may well pass for one of them. Once out the door, you can quickly and without queues enter St. Peter's Basilica.

ATTENTION. You should use the “service” door only if you did not leave things in the cloakroom and did not pick up an audio guide at the entrance to the museum. Keep in mind that if you cross the passage to St. Peter's Cathedral, then you will no longer have a way back to the museum complex.