Vatikan
Although Vatican City covers an area of less than 0.5 square kilometers (0.44 km², to be precise) and is located within Rome, it is a sovereign state and the administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church. It is ruled by the Pope, who holds full legislative, executive, and judicial power. While the first associations with the Vatican are often power, wealth, mystery, or "The Da Vinci Code", the most fascinating aspect is that you are in Rome and in another country at the same time. This status is underscored by the fact that foreign countries maintaining diplomatic relations with both Italy and the Holy See must have two separate ambassadors and two embassies, as one person cannot be accredited to both states simultaneously.
The central part of the city is occupied by the seventeenth-century St. Peter's Square. Walking across the square toward St. Peter's Basilica, you will see it is adorned with statues of saints and an Egyptian obelisk, which Caligula brought to Rome from Heliopolis. St. Peter's Basilica can accommodate over 60,000 people; its interior is incredibly lavish, decorated with mosaics, massive vaults, and marble columns. The imposing dome, designed by Michelangelo, stands about 136 meters high. If you are persistent enough to climb to the top, you will be rewarded with the most beautiful view of Rome and the Vatican.
The Vatican also boasts one of the largest and oldest libraries in the world, containing approximately 1.1 million printed books along with thousands of manuscripts.
The population is very small, and citizenship is not granted by birth, as there are no hospitals within the state, nor is citizenship acquired by "right of blood" (jus sanguinis). Unless you are the Pope, a Vatican diplomat, a cardinal, or a member of the Swiss Guard—the only military force here— obtaining citizenship is nearly impossible, and it is always temporary and tied to one's official function.
Interestingly, there are no Italians in this army; the ranks are made up exclusively of Swiss citizens. Another curious fact is that Vatican City is the world's largest consumer of wine per capita. While wine is primarily used for religious rituals, the statistics are also influenced by the unique demographics of the state.
Each year, this unusual country attracts a vast number of tourists, with over 6 million people visiting the Vatican Museums annually. During their stay, visitors most often tour the museum complex, which houses some of the world's most valuable art. You can see Michelangelo's frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, the Raphael Rooms painted for Pope Julius II, and a vast collection of Egyptian, Etruscan, Roman, and Renaissance sculptures.
The Vatican is also home to the world's shortest national railway, measuring only 300 meters in length.
We recommend bringing cash with you, as using an ATM can be quite an adventure. The Vatican Bank’s ATMs offer the option to choose Latin as a language—a perfect opportunity to use it if you studied it in school.
Despite its size, the Vatican has countless unique features that draw visitors year-round. Plan your trip and enjoy the surreal beauty of this tiny state.
