|
DestinationsDestinationsOther |
Vatican City Travel GuideINTRODUCTION Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and is located in the heart of Rome. Vatican City is home to the Vatican and its auxiliary buildings. The Vatican is the seat of the Pope, the bishop of Rome, and arguably the center of Roman Catholicism. It is easy to spend a day or two in Vatican City, visiting its Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and, if you gain entry, The Vatican Archives. HISTORY Being as old as it is (the rise of the papacy began around 440 CE with Pope Leo I), the Vatican City has a lot of history. Perhaps more than can be covered in a simple article. The “city-state” is without question one of the world’s best-known spiritual centers. The seat of the Bishop of Rome (known as the Pope) is the living heart of the Catholic world, and the smallest independent, sovereign state (about a one-third of a square mile) and supports almost 1,000 residents. The Vatican took its name from Mons Vaticanus (Vatican Hill), on which it stands. The earliest form of the Vatican dates to the first century, when Roman Emperor Caligula Caesar built what would be known as the Circus of Nero in Ager Vaticanus, just beyond the city limits of Rome. The site was a popular spot for public events such as executions. In fact, Ager Vaticanus was the site of the first state organized Christian executions. It was on this site that St. Peter the apostle, the disciple of Christ who proclaimed his teacher the Messiah, was martyred (crucified upside down by his request to show his faith in the teachings of Christ). A monument was placed on the site, and in the middle of the first century AD, a small shrine was added. Emperor Constantine commissioned St. Peter's Basilica in 324, replacing the former shrine. Over the subsequent centuries, the Vatican has been the setting for endless tales of both the spiritual evolution of man and mystery born of man’s failings. There is even a little-supported story regarding a woman pope (Pope Joan) in the 9th century. It has also been featured in popular Hollywood blockbusters like Mission Impossible 3. But above all, the Vatican is first and foremost a holy site. The Vatican began as a secondary residence for Papal leaders, their primary residence being the Palace of San Giovanni in Laterano. Under the rule of Pope Symmachus from 498 - 514, the Vatican became the permanent residence of the Catholic leaders. The protective Leonine Walls surrounding the Vatican grounds were added in 846 by Pope Saint Leo IV as a defense against Saracen invasion. For a short time beginning in 1145, the Vatican was run by Eugenius III, abbot of a small monastery. The violent nature of his day led to construction of a fortified palace. Today, the tomb of Pope Eugenius III is said to bestow a healing power on its visitors. A walled passageway was added to the defense in the late 1200s, which would link the palace with the fortress of Castel Saint Angelo. These additional precautions did little to ensure papal safety, and in 1309, the Catholic leader and his closest followers were forced to flee city. A Vatican in Exile was established in Avignon, France, where the papacy would remain until Pope Gregory XI returned it to Italy in 1378. During the mid-15th century, St. Peter's Basilica enjoyed extensive renovations and reconstruction under Pope Nicholas V. The basilica was restored to its former glory, though some sections were torn down to make room for the ever-growing Vatican Library. Pope Sixtus IV continued to expand the collection and commissioned works by many popular artists. By the end of the 15th century, the collection had taken on a new fervor, and Pope Innocent VIII commissioned the renovation of Villa Belvedere (which included connecting the pavilion to the Sistine Chapel and Vatican Palace) to support a new art gallery. The Belvedere is now the home of many magnificent works and continues to draw the crowds. The early years of the 16th century saw the Vatican finally authorize its own defensive military arm. The Vatican Military still exists in the modern-day Swiss Guards dressed in traditional Renaissance uniforms. In the Renaissance, the church began commissioning artwork throughout Rome. In the Vatican, Michelangelo painted the Sistine Chapel ceiling [from 1508-12], and in 1546, was commissioned to construct the current, massive and impressive St. Peter's Basilica. Unfortunately, the master, who died in 1564, did not live long enough to enjoy completion of the Basilica, the dome of which was not completed until 1590. In 1585, the Eternal City received a gift of the ancient obelisk now greeting visitors in the center of St. Peter‘s Square. The Egyptian obelisk was originally brought to Rome by Emperor Caligula around 37 AD, as part of the Circus of Nero. It was moved to the center of the Square, its present site, in 1586, and topped with a large sphere said to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar. The sphere is now in a museum, and the obelisk is capped off with a large cross which many believe to contain a fragment of the cross Jesus died on. In the early 1700s, the dome of St Peter's began to crack, and four large rings were installed to prevent further deterioration. When Napoleon conquered Rome in the late 1700s, the Eternal City would once again be governed from France, under Pope Pius VI. In 1815, under the Congress of Vienna, the Vatican returned to Rome. The city-state would suffer under Italian government, and by the middle of the 19th century, Pope Pius IX had retired in protest, beginning the long line of "prisoner popes”. The conflict with Italian government would last until the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which restored sovereignty over the city to Pius XI. Roman Catholicism formally became the official religion of Italy. The 20th century saw the Vatican develop new galleries for the now massive collection of art and literature, but the most important change was yet to come. Discovered beneath the main altar dedicated to St. Peter was burial chamber containing remains that had been interred “with special honors“. Pope Pius XII made an announcement to the world on Dec. 23, 1950, claiming that the remains were those of St. Peter himself. Several factors support his claim, including the tradition that St. Peter feet were cut off in order to remove him from the cross (he asked to be hung upside down to show his respect for Christ). The corpse is missing its feet. Circumstantial evidence includes a plaster inscription that reads "Peter is within". In the late 20th century, restorative work began on the Sistine Chapel. After 20 years, the paintings were unveiled, presenting a vibrancy not seen in centuries. An innovative new solvent was used, and a special air-filtration system installed to remove pollution brought into the chapel. Today, the Vatican City supports itself with remarkable tourism, which attracts students of art, history, and architecture, not to mention the devoted faithful. The tradition of Peter's Pence (annual contributions from Roman Catholics) is continued, though the tourist mementos, admission fees, and the sale of postage stamps (the Vatican provides its own unique postage and stamps) bring in countless dollars annually. KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Climate: Here you will find hot, dry summers and mild cool winters. The Vatican's weather is the same as Rome's weather. The spring is usually wet, with temperatures around 18ºC (around 65ºF). . The summer months (May through September) are hot, temperatures between 25ºC and 35ºC (80°F and 90°F). Summer winds can raise the temperature to 40ºC (104ºF). Fall offers plenty of sun but is not as hot. Attractions are less crowded, and the countryside is in full bloom. Languages: Italian, Latin and French Power: 230 V, 50 Hz Time Zone: DST +0200 UTC Currency: Euro TRANSPORTATION There are many ways to get to the Vatican City. Located off the west bank of the Tiber River, tourists can bus, cab or walk to St. Peter's Square, on Via Della Conciliazione, which runs from the Tiber River in front of Castel Saint Angelo to St. Peter's Square. The city bus offers inexpensive travel from Termini station, on Bus 64 and Express Route 40. The local subway passes nearby on Line A. ATTRACTIONS There are plenty of things to see and do in the ancient Vatican City. There are many public and private tours available that will leave you in awe as they take you through the history of this incredible city. St. Peter's Square Constructed as a public location where the faithful can practice, this magnificent square has retained its classical beauty and serves as the place from which the masses receive the Pope's weekly blessing. The square contains a 13th century BC Egyptian obelisk, rising 40 m (131 ft.). The bronze globe once atop the obelisk is believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar and is now housed in the Capitoline Museums. The cross at the top of the obelisk is believed to preserve a fragment of the cross Jesus died on. Carlo Maderno's Fountain Completed in 1612, this fountain stands north of the obelisk. Bernini’s Fountain Built in 1675, this fountain was designed to compliment Maderno's. La Pieta Considered by some to be the most beautiful work inside St. Peter's Cathedral is Michelangelo's famous La Pietà, while many believe it is the most moving piece of sculpture ever created. Originally sculpted as the funeral monument for the French cardinal Jean De Billheres, it was moved to St. Peter's Basilica in the 18th century. The sculpture is currently protected by bullet-proof glass after being damaged in 1972 by tourist with a sledgehammer. St. Peter's Basilica One of the finest cathedrals in the entire world, St. Peter’s is the spiritual center of the Vatican and was designed by many of Italy’s great Renaissance architects, like Bramante, Michelangelo and Bernini. The cathedral has 4th century origins, but the current construction dates from 1506. It was constructed by Christian Emperor Constantine on the burial site of St. Peter, the first pope. The basilica supports the largest dome in the world (designed by Michelangelo) and can house 60,000 worshipers, making it the largest church in the world. It is now home to many important works such as Michelangelo’s Pietà. Sculpture Throughout the centuries, the Vatican has collected monumental works including those honoring some historical figures. Of special interest is the 13th century statue (standing in Saint Peter's Basicilica) of St. Peter Enthroned by Arnolfo di Cambio. The figure has become famous for its feet being worn down from centuries of visitors rubbing and kissing them. The 30 meter (90 foot) baldachin canopy above the main altar was designed by Bernini (note his fountain in the Square), using bronze from the Pantheon (circa 27 BC). Holy Relics The basilica preserves what is commonly believed to be the last remaining fragments of the True Cross (the cross upon which Christ was crucified). For security and preservation, they fragments are only displayed during Holy Week (the week preceding Easter Sunday). Michelangelo's Dome The dome of St. Peter's Basilica is 42.3 meters (138.8 feet) in diameter and 120 meters (393.7 feet) from the floor. It is 136.57 meters (448.5 feet) from the floor to the top of the cross on the dome. The dome of St. Peter's attracts visitors for its architectural genius, impressive views and long history. Apostolic Palace Also known as the Vatican Palace, this building has been renovated over several centuries and thus presents many architectural styles. The Palace covers more than 1,000 rooms including the Palace, papal apartments, government offices, chapels, the Vatican Library and the Vatican Museums. Vatican Treasury The Vatican Treasury preserves chalices, reliquaries, and artifacts that date as far back as the 4th century. Vatican Library The Vatican Library contains literally thousands of works collected over several centuries. By the year 2000, the number of collected volumes totaled almost two million works, with about 6,000 added each year. Vatican Gardens These gardens stretch over 24.3 hectares (60 acres) surrounding the palace complex, supporting 7,000 plants, and lined with sculptures and fountains that draw water from Lake Bracciano. Saint Stephen of the Abyssinians Church Standing behind the basilica, this may be oldest church in the city state, dating back to the 6th century. It is said to be the place where Charlemagne worshipped. Vatican Mosaic Studio This studio creates the stones and glass for the many mosaics found around the grounds using 20,000 different tints. Reproductions of paintings can be purchased here. Barracks of the Army of Swiss Guards Dating back to 1497, this is the home to the Army of the Swiss Guards Tomb of St. Peter This 1st century tomb was discovered in the mid 20th century. Tours must be arranged in advance, through the Excavation Office (Ufficio Scavi). PERSONAL STORIES 
|
