Vatican Museum Tour Sistine Chapel Dress Code Art Treasures Sculptures<<>> Visiting Vatican Museum tours along with a general over view is one of the most popular attractions for people on a vacation to Italy. Most people do not know that this is a sovereign city-state, which means that it makes its own rules. It has its own governing system independent of the Italian government system. This is a distinct walled state within the city of Rome. It is the smallest independent state in the whole world with and area of only a little over 100 acres. It was founded following the signing of the Lateran Pacts between the Holy See and Italy on February 11th 1929. These were ratified on June 7th 1929. Its position as a sovereign State distinct from the Holy See is universally recognized under international law. The Holy See refers to the central governing system of the Catholic Church headed by the Pope. The Pope is also known as the Bishop of Rome. The Vatican City houses, among other things, the official residence of the Pope. It is visited by millions of people each year on an Italy vacation.
This square is characterized by great Baroque architecture from the sixteen hundreds and includes symbols of the church motherly embracing its people in its arms. St. Peter's Basilica is another place you can visit in the complex while on your tour of Italy because it is also found in St. Peter's square. This is the most notable building here and the church's dome can be seen for miles around Rome. A dress code exists. The Basilica seats 60,000 and is said to be the largest building in the Christian church. It is noted for being the burial site of St. Peter who is said to be the founding father of the Catholic Church by being the first Bishop of Rome. The discovery of his tomb was announced in 1950 after a decade of archaeological research. Catholic tradition says that St. Peter is buried under the altar of this Basilica and therefore all the Popes since then has also been buried in the Basilica. At the entrance of the Basilica are statues of Christ, St. John the Baptist and 11 of the 12 apostles. You can enter the Basilica for free if you observe the Vatican dress code with no bare shoulders or knees.
The largest museum in the world is also found here with the Vatican art treasures on display. It has over one thousand four hundred rooms and galleries that represent over three thousand years of art. The Museums originated from a group of Vatican sculptures collected by Pope Julius II (1503-1513) and placed in what today is the “Cortile Ottagono” within the museum complex. The Vatican Sistine Chapel, painted by Michael Angelo, is also found here and is known for being the private chapel that the cardinals go to when electing a new Pope. Another do not miss experience is the Vatican map room.
They have been a place of quiet and meditation for the Popes ever since 1279 when Nicholas III (1277-1280) moved his residence back here from the Lateran Palace. This event is recorded, among other places, on a stone plaque that can be viewed in the “Sala dei Capitani” of the “Palazzo dei Conservatori” on Rome’s Capitoline Hill. So what is the best way to see all the sights that the City has to offer during your Italian vacation? You could just wander around or get a guidebook before you go and plan your own visits. Or there are guided tours available for various parts that can be taken for half a day or longer. You can take a guided tour of just the museum or a guided tour to include all the important places of interest in the City State and this will ensure that you don't miss a thing here on your visit.
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