{"id":470,"date":"2014-03-27T01:21:35","date_gmt":"2014-03-27T01:21:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mapsofworld.com\/travel\/?p=470"},"modified":"2022-09-19T11:00:43","modified_gmt":"2022-09-19T11:00:43","slug":"vatican-city","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mapsofworld.com\/travel\/destinations\/italy\/vatican-city\/","title":{"rendered":"Vatican City – Rome, Italy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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\"Vatican<\/a>

Vatican City<\/p><\/div>\n

The seat of the Pope, the worldwide head of the Catholic Church, the Vatican is an independent state within Italy. Many pilgrims make the journey to Vatican City every year, and many of these attend a public appearance by the Pope or attend mass. Vatican City includes the Saint Peter\u2019s Basilica (Cathedral) and Piazza (square), the Vatican Museum, and the gardens. Some of the monuments feature the world’s most beautiful sculptures and paintings. Much of Vatican City is not open to the public, guarded by the Swiss Guards who wear distinctive uniforms.<\/p>\n

Entrance to the Basilica is free, but there is a fee to climb the 323 steps to the top of the dome, and for a bit extra, you can take an elevator up part of the way. Below the main level, visitors can see the tomb of Pope John Paul II. A dress code is enforced for entrance to the basilica \u2013 no bare shoulders or shorts are allowed.<\/p>\n

The Vatican Apostolic Library is one of the oldest libraries in the world. It houses many collections of great historical significance. Presently, the library features 75,000 manuscripts and over 1.1 million printed books.<\/p>\n

The Vatican Museum contains the Sistine Chapel<\/a>, with the world famous ceiling frescoes of Michelangelo. The Chapel is the official residence of the Pope. The Chapel has been named after Pope Sixtus IV, who is responsible for the restoration of the Chapel between 1477 to 1480.<\/p>\n

Another attraction worth visiting in Vatican City is Casina Pio IV (or Villa Pia) that houses the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and the Pontifical Academy of St. Thomas Aquinas.<\/p>\n

The economy of Vatican City generates income from the entry fees of the museums, sale of postage stamps, publications and tourist mementos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Vatican City - Rome Map<\/h2>

\"Vatican<\/a><\/p>\n

Facts about Vatican City - Rome<\/h2>\n