Vatican City Travel Guide

Known to most as the centre of Catholicism and home of the Pope, Vatican City, which spans an area of approximately 44 hectares (100 acres) is the world's smallest independent sovereign state. However, this tiny country is brimming with enough artwork and history to rival any other destination in Europe.

The enormous enclosed open space of St Peter's Square, featuring the biggest church in the world at one end, and a gigantic Egyptian obelisk in the centre, is the main gathering point for visitors. The architecture is sublime with just about every important Renaissance and Baroque architect and artist having a hand in the design of St Peter's Basilica, from Bramante and Raphael to Baldassare Peruzzi and Michelangelo, who is usually attributed with the dome. One of the greatest art galleries in the world, the Vatican Museums, complete with its world-famous spiral staircase, draws thousands of visitors, as do the colourful and almost clown-like uniforms of the Swiss Papal Guards. But nothing draws more tourists than the addressing of the people by the Pope.

There is more to the tiny Vatican state than meets the eye, though, and aside from the exquisite palaces, museums and administrative buildings, Vatican City boasts mundane things such as a prison, a supermarket, a printing press (which produces the daily ) and a post office, which is rumoured to be the best in the world.

The Pope has total legislative, executive and judicial power over Vatican City, which is unique in its non-commercial economy, financially supported by the devout Roman Catholics of the world. The official currency of the Vatican is the euro although the extremely rare Vatican euro is also in circulation. Vatican City has its own bank and ATMs are available. Visitors to Vatican City should carry their personal belongings closely and remain vigilant as petty crime, such as pick pocketing, is sadly quite common. Vatican City offers no lodgings or accommodations; most visitors who want to be close by opt to stay in the neighbouring Vaticano suburb of Rome. Getting around Vatican City by foot is easy enough, although not all areas are open for tourists.

With fascinating buildings, palaces, museums, sculptures and architecture to enjoy, Vatican City is a must for culture vultures and anyone wanting a glimpse into the workings of a diminutive, but powerful country, not to mention the power base of one of the most powerful religious denominations in the world.