What's Inside Vatican City - The World's Smallest Country?
Located in the heart of Italy with a border length of only 2 miles, the Vatican is a sovereign state headed by the Pope. The Pope is also the only tyrannical king in Europe, up to the present time. Covered with ancient architecture, vast museums and well-manicured gardens, Vatican City is a must-visit destination when you travel to Italy on your own. There are many interesting places for art lovers, from Saint Peter's Square to the Sistine Chapel.
There are many ways to travel from Fiumicino Airport in Rome to the Vatican, here are a few options worth considering:
1. Go to the Vatican by taxi
It takes about 40 minutes to travel from Fiumicino airport in Rome to the Vatican by taxi. The taxi service at Fiumicino Airport is open 24/7 so you don't have to worry about using night flights. Depending on the supplier, the cost for this vehicle will range from 50 € - 60 € (about 1,300,000 VND - 1,540,000 VND).
2. Go to the Vatican by bus
There are no direct buses from Rome's Fiumicino Airport to the Vatican, but you can take buses 64 and 40 from the city's Termini station to get to the Vatican. The journey usually takes about 30 minutes. The total cost for this vehicle is 7 € (6.5 € to go to Termini station and 1.5 € to go to Vatican) - equivalent to 180,000 VND.
3. Go to the Vatican by train
Similar to buses, no tram lines go directly from Fiumicino Airport in Rome to the Vatican. You need to take the train to Roma Trastevere Station; Afterwards, transfer the train to the Vatican. This 1 hour and 15 minute journey will cost you around 14 € (equivalent to 360,000 VND). Note that trains in Italy only operate from 6:30 am to 11:30 pm!
Places To Visit The 10 Must-See Sites In The Vatican
1. St. Basil's Cathedral Peter
St. Basil's Cathedral Peter is the largest building in the center of Rome. As one of the holiest sites of Catholicism, this place possesses sophisticated architecture with solemn domes and magnificent interiors. Admire art, as you glide through huge frescoes and see Stacher’s Baldachin, elaborate work, crafted entirely from copper by sculptor Baroque Bernini.
Note: Shorts or miniskirts are prohibited here. Security will not allow you to enter if wearing the wrong dress code!
2. Apostolic Court
2. Apostolic Court
Apostolic Palace or Apostolic Palace is the official residence of the Pope. The Palace owns many spacious accommodation and sightseeing areas, including the Pope's room. Although some areas are closed, you can still visit many famous Italian attractions such as the Vatican Library and Vatican Museums. Pay attention to the Swiss Guards, the pope's private army, who still wears medieval uniforms of striped tunic, white fur, and ripe plum hats.
3. Sistine Dome Chapel
Located in the Apostolic Palace, the Sistine Dome Chapel was founded in the 15th century and is an immortal monument in the Vatican. The Sistine Dome Chapel is the sacred site of the Pontifical Council, where the Cardinals gather and elect a new Pope. Running along the walls and ceiling is a famous fresco called "The Last Judgment" (Vietnamese name: The Last Judgment). The fresco - with over 300 intricate Catholic inspired characters and details, is the "brainchild" of Michelangelo, the painting genius of the Renaissance.
4. Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums is like a huge exhibition, with 54 galleries, owning more than 70,000 works of art. Though just over a quarter of these are open to the public, the 20,000 independent works still make the Vatican Museum's art collection the largest in Italy.
Located in the Apostolic Palace, the Sistine Dome Chapel was founded in the 15th century and is an immortal monument in the Vatican. The Sistine Dome Chapel is the sacred site of the Pontifical Council, where the Cardinals gather and elect a new Pope. Running along the walls and ceiling is a famous fresco called "The Last Judgment" (Vietnamese name: The Last Judgment). The fresco - with over 300 intricate Catholic inspired characters and details, is the "brainchild" of Michelangelo, the painting genius of the Renaissance.
4. Vatican Museums
Vatican Museums is like a huge exhibition, with 54 galleries, owning more than 70,000 works of art. Though just over a quarter of these are open to the public, the 20,000 independent works still make the Vatican Museum's art collection the largest in Italy.
5. St. Peter's Square
St. Peter's Square is an iconic building, located outside St. Peter's Basilica. St. Peter's Square appears quite frequently on Instagram, with many European elements such as: high-rise buildings covered with white paint, giant stone pillars and especially the huge granite blocks of Egypt from 37 AD.
6. Vatican City Citadel
Do you dare to venture to explore the underground city known as the "place of death"? Right below Saint Peter's Basilica, Vatican City is a maze-like catacombs, preserved and decorated with paintings, wooden furniture, sculptures .... Vatican City is believed to contain the remains of the Apostle Saint Peter!
7. Etruscan Museum
Have you heard the anecdote about Etruscan? Dating back to 900 BC, this civilization remains a mystery, but the Etruscan National Museum helps visitors to better understand this ancient civilization. You will not be surprised by the collection of ivory, bronze and glass artifacts on display here.
8. Pinacoteca
Pinacoteca is part of the Vatican Museum; However, this place deserves to be known as a private Vatican place with its incredible art collection. If you love Leonardo da Vinci, this is the place for you. You will see his unfinished masterpiece, Saint Jerome in the Wilderness, followed by other international works by Caravaggio and Giotto.
9. Museum of Egypt
There are 9 fascinating galleries in the Egyptian Museum, each with an obscure artifact. Visitors will be able to see the stone carving hieroglyphs, wooden sarcophagi and even the creepy mummy's head. In addition, you can also learn about Rome's ancient relationship with Cairo while immersed in the Egyptian atmosphere of this 19th-century museum.
10. Vatican Park
If you love the multifaceted architecture of Vatican City, then you must definitely explore the extremely beautiful Vatican Park. You need to plan in advance because the gardens only have seats for people with a reservation. You should visit the Vatican Park in the morning, so you can fully enjoy the fountains, green carpet and flower garden brilliantly in the new day sunshine.
Quotes: Klook