Vatican City sightseeing

One in the Vatican, you will surely not be bored, as the place is simply amazing, there is art all around you, and you will be able to see some of the greatest masterpieces of famous artists. For security reasons Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances of the Vatican City, looking like court jesters, dressed up in colorful clothes said to have been designed by either Michelangelo or Raphael.

Pontifical Swiss Guards is the smallest and oldest standing army in the world founded in 1506 by the warrior pope Julius II, the same person who commissioned Michelangelo to fresco the Sistine Chapel. After watching the guards, start you visit with the St.Peter’s Basilica, which is absolutely magnificent! In order to get in to this remarkable piece of art with its dome designed by Michelangelo and an astonishing interior, you will have pass through a metal detector, and so not let the long queue scare you, as it goes fast and the basilica is definitely worth the waiting.

After going inside, take your time to look around, it is overwhelming; do not miss Michelangelo’s only signed work, the Pieta, unbelievably beautiful; take the elevator or go up on the 323 steps to the top of the dome, the view is undesirably beautiful, and also visit the crypt, where you will find the tomb of Pope John Paul II. Remember that a strict dress code is imposed, so no mini skirts or bear shoulders!

Walk around the marvelous St. Peter’s Piazza, which is actually an ellipse, check out the marvelous fountains designed by Maderno and Bernini; do not miss the obelisk in the middle, that was transported from Egypt to Rome in 37A.D by the Emperor Gaius Caligula. If you are here on Sunday, and you would like to see the Pope, be there at noon when he gives his usual blessing!

In for some more culture, you can not possibly miss a visit to one of the world’s greatest art galleries, the Vatican Museum. Famous for its remarkable spiral staircase, the Raphael Rooms and the breath-taking Sistine Chapel, you are in for a memorable tour! It is organized in such way to everybody follows a one-way route! The strict dress code applies here as well, just like the long lines,still it is definitely worth it! In order to skip waiting in line and also see the Vatican Gardens, book a tour, well in advance!

Vatican highlights