Vatican, Rome

Vatican Tours & Tickets

Did you know? Vatican

Vatican City is the world's smallest independent state at just 44 hectares (110 acres), entirely surrounded by Rome.

St. Peter's Basilica took 120 years to build (1506–1626) and required the labour of some of history's greatest Renaissance artists including Michelangelo, Bernini, and Bramante.

The Vatican's Swiss Guard, established in 1506, is the world's smallest and oldest military unit, and members must be Swiss, Catholic, and at least 174 cm tall.

Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling alone in just four years (1508–1512) while lying on his back on scaffolding.

Vatican City issues its own postage stamps and coins, making it a collector's item for philatelists and numismatists worldwide.

The Vatican Museums house over 70,000 artworks spanning Egyptian mummies, classical sculptures, Renaissance masterpieces, and modern religious art.

Vatican: frequently asked questions