Vatican City
Vatican City is separated from Rome by a wall. This wall surrounds the City on 3 1/2 sides - the north, the west, the south, and part of the east. The only really open area is the Piazza di San Pietro on the east side. Vatican City is a city-state that came into existence in 1929. It covers roughly 110 acres and has a population of about 1000 people. The Vatican has its own Post office and issues its own stamps (the Vatican mail system is widely used by Romans since it is in most cases a lot quicker than Italian mail). Vatican City has its own radio station, a railway station (mostly for freight), issues its own passports (the Pope, cardinals, members of the Swiss guard and clergy being the only recipients), and stamps its own coins (the 1Euro coin which has a portrait of the present Pope is in high demand with collectors).
St. Peter's Basilica
Emperor Constantine, the first Christian emperor of Rome, was ordered to build a basilica on Vatican Hill. The location was symbolic: this was the place where Saint Peter, the chief apostle, was buried in 64 A.D.
The building itself is truly impressive. The largest church in the world, it has a 238 yard long nave. The basilica's dome is the world's largest measuring 46 yards in diameter and reaching 151 yards high. The interior, which includes 45 altars, is decorated by many famous artists. Some of the most important works in the church are the Pietà by Michelangelo, the papal altar by Bernini, the Throne of St. Peter - also by Bernini - and the Monument to the Stuarts by Canova. The opulent interior can be visited daily for free although a strict dress code is enforced.
Near the entrance of the Basilica you will probably encounter some of the famous Swiss guards. Since 1506 they have been the guards of the Vatican and the pope in particular. All entrants to the army must be Swiss, Catholic and they must take the oath of loyalty to the Pope. This oath is taken May 6th, to commemorate the sacking of Rome on the same day in 1527 when Swiss guards protected pope Clement VII during his escape to the Castel Sant'Angelo. Of the 189 guards, only 42 survived.
You can also visit the dome itself (entrance is not free, but it's worth it). You have the option of taking the elevator or the stairs, the latter being a bit cheaper. The elevator brings you to the bottom of the dome from where a small, long and mostly spiral staircase brings you to the top of the dome. From there you have a magnificent view of Rome and of the Saint Peter's square in particular. The famous square with long symmetrical colonnades was designed by Bernini. It features a central obelisk and two identical fountains.
Vatican Museum
The Vatican Museum does not accept credit cards at the ticket office. Entrance fee is 15 Euros. It is open Monday to Saturday 9:00AM-6:00PM. Remember the dress code – no bare shoulders or knees – that goes for men and women. The entrance to the Vatican Museum is on the north side of the city (outside the wall). You cannot enter the museum from the Basilica. You can take pictures in the museum – flash is not allowed in some spots. The Vatican museums are over 9 miles long, and it is said that if you spent only 1 minute admiring each painting it would take you 4 years to complete the circuit!
Sistine Chapel
If you want to see the Sistine Chapel, you must go through the museum. (You can get to St. Peter’s from the Sistine Chapel.) No photos can be taken in the Sistine Chapel – the ‘rights’ to all filming in the Chapel are owned by Japanese channel, Nippon TV. In 1980 they underwrote ($3-$4 million) the cleaning and restoration in exchange for the media rights to the restored ceiling.
The famous staircase is the (one way) exit from the museum. If you plan on going from the museum to St. Peter’s, remember to get a snapshot of it when you enter the museum. At the top of the escalator, it is located behind and to the left of the escalator.
Papal Audience
The audience starts at 10:30 AM on Wednesdays -- the day we will be there -- (Mass, Pope reads church viewpoints and opinions, and then offers blessings – these are in many languages) and is about 1 1/2 hours long. There are big screens at strategic places so you can still see what's going on even if you are seated far away. Remember to dress appropriately, you are visiting the Vatican. If you want to get a front row seat, you need to get there very early – around 8am. The museum is open, but entrance to St. Peter’s in blocked.
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