Sights of the Vatican. Vatican City (Rome, Italy)

In the heart of the Italian capital is the Catholic center of the world called the Vatican. This is the smallest country on the planet, in which, however, a tourist can see a lot of interesting things. Here is the residence of the Pope. In the museums of this country are the greatest cultural values. Many pilgrims and tourists come here every year to see for themselves the sights of the Vatican. Let's look at the main ones.

St. Peter's Basilica

This Catholic church is the most impressive building in the country, in addition, it is considered the main shrine of Christian believers. The snow-white dome of St. Peter's Basilica has been swimming in the blue of the Italian sky for five centuries. There are not enough words to tell about this grandiose structure in colors, you need to see it with your own eyes. And when you are inside the cathedral, the surrounding beauty simply captures the spirit. It is recommended to start visiting the Vatican's sights from this temple.

St. Peter's Basilica is remarkable not only for its enormous size, but also for the huge number of masterpieces of art. Every tourist is advised to get a guide in advance to consider all the sights and do not miss anything. If desired, you can climb the dome of the basilica on a narrow staircase, only for this you need to pay.

Many just come to Rome for a few days. Vatican, whose sights are very special, even they try to visit, as there can be no second such chance.

The Sistine Chapel

This church is built in the form of a rectangle. Inside the chapel on the floor you can see beautiful mosaic patterns, and in the middle there is a septum of marble.

The walls of the church are made in the form of horizontal stripes that cross special frames. Below you can see the beautiful draperies with the coat of arms of the Pope. In the center are paintings by famous artists: Perugino, Domenico Ghirlandaio, Luca Signorelli, Pinturicchio, Botticelli, Cosimo Rosselli. The last strip, located under the ceiling, is decorated with portraits of the first Roman Pope, there are only thirty of them.

Stunning paintings by Michelangelo are on the far walls of the church, as well as on the ceiling. This famous creator spent several years creating such a splendor, as a result, were decorated with hundreds of square meters of ceiling. It should be noted that a long and almost continuous work adversely affected the artist's well-being, because he constantly inhaled the paint, and it penetrated into his lungs. But the efforts of Michelangelo, no doubt, were worth it, because he literally transformed the church, and now tourists just freeze with delight, looking at his masterpieces. It is for this reason that many people go to the Vatican. Italy, whose attractions are amazing, attracts tourists from all over the world.

Today, in the Sistine Chapel, secret meetings are held by the Pope.

St. Peter's Square

It is the most magnificent Italian architectural ensemble that Bernini built. From the square you can clearly see the famous Colonnade. This is truly amazing. It seems that the columns diverge in different directions, but at the same time they are invited to the cathedral. The illusion of movement is created by the oval shape.

In the middle of the square is a brown granite obelisk, its length is 42 meters. He was taken from Egypt by order of Caligula. It was still in the I century. And only after a long time, in 1586, Sixtus V ordered to put it on the square. Now he decorates the Vatican. Attractions, photos of which you see, it is better to look around leisurely, so that nothing escapes from the sight.

But back to the obelisk. At the top of the pillar is a ball of bronze. There is an interesting version that inside it are the remains of Julius Caesar. Among other things, the obelisk can be considered a kind of solar clock, and their role is played by markings on the ground.

The Papal Palace

It includes several buildings, twenty inner courtyards and more than a thousand rooms, chapels and other premises. The gate of bronze is the main entrance, after passing through that, you can get to the courtyard of San Damazo, around which the palace is spread from all sides. On the fourth (uppermost) floor are the rooms in which the pope lives. Below are one more of his apartments. And the rooms of the Secretary of State are on the second floor. In the center of the palace there is a chapel, where the Pope holds a service every day. His guests, employees of the house, and secretaries come to pray.

Many people come to the Pontifical Palace to come to Rome. The Vatican, whose photo you see in front of you, is an amazing place, and everyone understands this.

The Apostolic Library

Here are collected a lot of documents dating from the Middle Ages. In the library, located inside the palace, there are approximately 65,000 books, among which the oldest Bible, dating from 325 AD. E.

Professors from universities, famous scientists, teachers, teachers regularly come here. Here you can meet also students. But only students of the last courses are admitted here, but for schoolchildren, for example, the library is closed.

Raphael's Rooms

Small rooms of the palace bear the name of the famous artist, because he decorated the walls and ceiling with pictures. The creations of this master are real masterpieces of the Renaissance. How nice that the Vatican's attractions are accessible to everyone, is not it?

Today, Raphael's rooms attract many tourists. They cause no less interest than in the Renaissance. Annually, thousands of pilgrims visit the most beautiful rooms , which are delighted with the great masterpieces. You can just walk slowly along the premises of the palace and carefully consider the paintings of the famous artist. Some tourists then even complain of pain in the neck, because the ceiling is of no less interest than the walls.

Gardens of the Vatican

Once upon a time these medicinal herbs grew in place of the medicinal herbs, and after a while a beautiful park was built here, attracting tourists with its Mediterranean plants, among which there are often unusual and rare. In addition, there are quite a lot of monuments of antiquity, historical constructions, fountains and various beautiful buildings. The most interesting sights of the Vatican are located here.

Pilgrims are tempted by the opportunity to walk along beautiful and well-groomed paths, through which the Popes of Rome have walked for many centuries. Many celebrate the calm and peaceful atmosphere that prevails in the gardens. She fully disposes to relaxation and contemplation of the surrounding beauty.

Vatican Museums: Opening Hours

The museums of the country work from Monday to Saturday, that is six days a week. They are open from 8:45 to 18:00, but keep in mind that you can only buy a ticket until 4:00 pm. Museums are closed on public holidays and Sundays. But there is one exception. On the final Sunday of the month from 9:00 to 12:30 you can go to the museum for free. As for the cost of tickets, then for children (under 18 years) will have to pay 8 euros, and for adults - 15. Museums are worth visiting every tourist, there really is something to see.