The Vatican Rome - Following the recent passing of Pope John-Paul, the
images of The Vatican and St. Peters Basilica are probably fresh in your
mind. This is the smallest independent state in the modern world, yet its
religious significance gives The Vatican more power than countries a thousand
times its size.
In Imperial Roman times this part of the City was a swamp, a source of
disease, snakes and low quality wine. Eventually the area was drained
and became the imperial gardens of the Emperors. During Caligula’s reign,
The Vatican valley was given over to the circus, and chariot racing and
public executions (including St. Peter’s) were common events.
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The Sistine Chapel, within The Vatican
Rome. Unbelievably, it was not universally popular when first completed – some
saying the work was more suited “to an inn”.
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The current territorial limits of The Vatican Rome were established on
1929, in a treaty celebrated by the construction of the Via della Conciliazione – the
road that links St. Peters with the Castel Sant’Angelo. (There are
some particularly good pizza restaurants on the left hand side today!).
Our tip is to use one of our Rome
Guided Tours to visit The Vatican Rome
early in the day, as some of the museums and features have a habit of closing
early and could be missed.
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Metro Linea A, Station Ottaviano.
Buses 62, 23, 34, 40. Opens 10:00am, seasonal & weekend restrictions.
Best seen as part of our "Skip The Line" tour of the
Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel, lasting approx 3 hours. Click
here to See
The Vatican Rome in our "Skip The Line" Guided Tour.
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If you are not prepared to walk along the banks of the Tiber, passing
around Castel Sant’Angelo, to get to The Vatican Rome, our next advice
is to take a taxi. There is a taxi rank right on the edge of St Peters
square, also convenient if you want to combine a visit here with other
activities to follow.
If you are pressed for time, there is really one sight that you must see – the
stunning Sistine Chapel, and its frescos by the great Michelangelo. Painted
between 1508 and 1512, there are a total of 391 figures and many images
that will be familiar to you.
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Essential Tip: Understandably,
the guardians of The Vatican, St Peters and the Michelangelo Sistine
Chapel are insistent over the issue of proper religious respect
for the artefacts they control. Appropriate dress code is essential
for your visit, and shoulders and upper arms must be covered to
gain entrance. You can, if necessary, buy T-Shits or similar in
the shops at the edge of St Peters square – but you will
pay a premium for this.
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Guided tours, in most
languages, are available and their content adds significant value to a
visit.
The Pope makes a public appearance at noon each Sunday, and there are
also public audiences on Wednesdays at 10:30am, but these switch to the
Sala Nervi in winter. Make sure you take a break to just sit in St Peters
square and absorb the atmosphere and sense of history. The crowds are a
mix of catholic pilgrims, tourists and locals – all drawn to The
Vatican for their own, differing reasons.
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Essential Tip: Through
Lets Travel Rome and Viator, our partners in Rome, we are able
to offer attendance at an Audience with Pope Benedict, at The Vatican
City. Tickets are limited, and you MUST have a confirmed reservation
to attend. The exact location depends on the seasons, and the Pope's
location each day.
Reserve
your place for an Audience with Pope Benedict.
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Whether you are affected by its religious significance, or just want to
experience one of the world’s greatest sights, a visit to The Vatican
in Rome is sure to add something of quality to your time in the city, and
we rate it as unmissable.
| St Peters Basilica opens from 7:00am
to 7:00pm (until 6:00pm in winter), and is an awesome sight. Michelangelo
also designed the magnificent dome, which was only completed after
his death in 1514. |
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