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Vatican City Travel Guide: 1,267 reviews and 3,878 photos
Some Interesting facts -
The Vatican City is to a Roman Catholic what Mecca is to a Muslim and Jeruslem to a Jew, the difference being the Holy See comprising an entire country unlike any other religion till date. The hub of Christianity and the residential quarters of His Holiness, the Pope, the Vatican draws thousands of pilgrims from all over the world every year. It is the smallest independant state in the world, (with a population under a 1000 heads) and yet the richest in terms of its priceless art and treasures acquired during past centuries.
Personal Comment -
It has always been a dream of ours to visit the Vatican, and so Eva and I were extremely excited at the thought of taking a flight out from Vienna to Rome and spending a few but special moments exploring this historical city. June seemed perfect for a visit. The weather was pleasant and the ambience was terrific. Words could not even begin to express our amazement at the grandeur within the walls of the Vatican, but through our tips and travellogues we will make every attempt to do this city justice.
The Roman Pontiff is the successor of Peter and is the foundation of unity of both the bishops and the faithful.
[Sidenote - As you can see, I have not yet modified the adjoining picture to the new pope Benedict XVI, simply because Pope John Paul II was the one who inspired me during my growing years, and this was the one Eva and I met on our first trip to the Vatican - so he will always have a special place on this page.]
Going back into history -
Pope Julius II invited Helvetian soldiers to join the Vatican army during the period of the Renaissance in 1506, and since then these enigmatic characters have been the 'Defenders of the Church's freedom' and the pope's personal bodyguards.
On the morning of May 6th, 1527, spanish mercenaries launched a series of attacks on Rome. The Swiss Guard, standing firm at the foot of the obelisk (now in St. Peter's Square), resisted desperately. Of the 189 Swiss Guards, only 42 survived. Pope Clement VII was able to escape to safety, through the "Passetto", a secret corridor built along the top of the wall connecting the Vatican with Castel Sant’Angelo, thanks to the renowned courage, noble sentiments and loyalty of the Swiss guards.
Admission requirements to the Swiss guard can be found at - The Roman Curia
[Sidenote - Eva got thrown out of the vatican by these guards, when she jumped a barricade and tried to get close to Pope John Paul II to snap some closeup pics. We did get back in a few minutes later without any trouble though. ]
- Pros:Papa Giovinni Paulo II (Pope John Paul II); currently Pope Benedict XVI
- Cons:Huge crowds at the General Audience to meet the Pope
- In a nutshell:A trip that saw my lifetime dream come through with someone I love so much
Reviews (27)
Round and round and round and round we...
Things to Do
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One of the most famous architectural constructions in the Vatican museum is the spiral staircase - the Scala Regia ("The... more travel advice
St. Peter's Tomb - a personal experience
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At first we saw the top of St. Peter's tomb inside the basilica; then we figured out that we could actually walk... more travel advice
Climbing up the Dome
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This, as so many things on our Rome trip, was not at all planned - we didn't even know one was allowed to climb up the... more travel advice
The Drunkenness of Noah
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"And Noah began [to be] an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard: And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was... more travel advice
Escadora7's Related Pages
Vatican City Travel Guide
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Comments (13)
excellent tips and brilliant photographs bringing back nice memories !
Excellent tips. Brought back fond memories. thanks ;-)
Thank you for the exellent trips!!! K&T
Lovely page -you have put so much work into this -it expresses your feelings for the place perfectly. As you say - some things are meant to be. leyle
Great tips on the Vatican - I hope to go next year when at a conference in Rome! Mike
Heavenly pages, you two ;) Divine intervention, huh - getting to meet the Pope and all :) Thanks for dropping by the Andamans, Eve... all the very best for the coming days.
Excellent pages. We visited Rome recently but decided not to join the enormous queue for the Vativan museum. It took us 20 mins to find the back of it !
Fascinating and impressive page about the Vatican. We too had an audioence with the Pope when we visited - amazing experience! Thanks for a great page. :-)
Very interesting info about the electing a new pope. Thanks a lot.
Stunning Vatican City storm photograph chaps and great tips too! Being assaulted by the Vatican Guards AND 'Volare'...what an honour - can't wait to get there!