The smallest and most independent state in the world is the Vatican (slightly more than its San Marino and Monaco ). The city has a small number of inhabitants and occupies a small area.
Visiting the Vatican, whose attractions are on such a small territory, you will be amazed at the beauty and greatness of the works of masters of architecture and art.
Sistine Chapel in the Vatican
The chapel is considered to be the main attraction of the country. It was erected in the late 15th century under the guidance of architect George de Dolce. The initiator was Pope Sixtus Fourth, after whom the chapel was named afterwards. According to legend, the cathedral is built on the site of the former arena of the Neron Circus, where the apostle Peter was executed. The cathedral was rebuilt several times. Despite the fact that the exterior looks imperceptible, the luxurious interior decoration is simply amazing.
From the 15th century to the present day, on the territory of the chapel, there are meetings of Catholic cardinals (Conclaves) with the aim of electing a new pope after the death of the current one.
Vatican: St. Peter's Cathedral
The cathedral in the Vatican is the "heart" of the state.The apostle Peter was elected head of the Christians after the crucifixion of Christ. However, on the orders of Nero, he was also crucified on the cross. This happened in 64 AD. On the spot of his execution, St. Peter's Cathedral was built, where his relics are located in the earth's grotto. Also under the altar of the basilica is more than a hundred tombs with the bodies of almost all the Roman Popes.
The cathedral is decorated in the Baroque and Renaissance style. Its area is about 22 hectares and can simultaneously accommodate more than 60 thousand people. The dome of the Cathedral is the largest in Europe: its diameter is 42 meters.
In the center of the Cathedral there is a bronze figure of St. Peter. There is a sign that you can make a wish and touch the foot of Peter, and then it will come true.
The Apostolic Palace in the Vatican
The Papal Palace in the Vatican is the official residence of the Pope. In addition to the Pontifical Apartments, it includes a library, Vatican museums, chapels, government buildings of the Roman Catholic Church.
In the Vatican Palace, there are paintings of such famous artists as Raphael, Michelangelo and many others. The Raphael's works are masterpieces of world art to this day.
Gardens of the Vatican
The history of the Vatican gardens begins at the end of the 13th century during the reign of Pope Nicholas III. Initially, fruit and vegetables, as well as medicinal herbs, were grown on their territory.
In the middle of the 16th century, Pope Pius the Fourth issued a decree ordering that the northern part of the gardens be given under a decorative park and decorated in the Renaissance style.
In 1578 the construction of the Tower of the Winds began, where the astronomical observatory is currently located.
In 1607, masters from the Netherlands came to the Vatican and began to create numerous cascades of fountains in the garden. Water for filling them was taken from Lake Bracciano.
From the middle of the 17th century, Pope Climentius Eleventh begins to grow rare species of subtropical plants in the botanical garden. In 1888, the Vatican Zoo was opened on the territory of the garden.
Currently, the Vatican gardens occupy more than 20 hectares, located primarily on the Vatican Hill. Most of the garden along the perimeter is enclosed by the Vatican Wall.
Tour of the Vatican gardens will take no more than two hours. The ticket costs 40 dollars.
For many centuries the Vatican has been a center of attraction for tourists due to the fact that the best works of architecture and art of masters from different eras are collected on its territory.