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The Vatican City, an independent sovereign state within the city of Rome, is probably best known as the global headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and residence of the Pope. But Vatican City is also a place of tremendous historical significance in addition to being the home of several classical art pieces. The total official population of the Vatican is just shy of 1000 but it attracts more than 3.8 million visitors each year.

St Peter’s Basilica is probably the best known building in the Vatican and is the official church of the pope. It is atop the original site of the church that was built over the Apostle Peter’s tomb and remains among the largest religious structures in the world. St Peter’s Basilica is open between 0700 and 1900 hours daily. Entry is free but visitors must be modestly dressed with shoulders and knees covered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0f1lMwk8Wo&feature=related

But the basilica is not the only place to see. Visitors should not leave the precincts of the Holy See without popping into the Vatican Museum. With slightly more than 1400 rooms, it is the largest museum building complex on earth. Given its place in Christianity as arguably its earliest denomination, it is not surprising that some of the oldest pieces of art in the world are found at the Vatican Museum including galleries with 3000 year old art work.

There is an entire room comprising art works by Raphael and the Pinacoteca Vaticana with its Renaissance art pieces is up there with the best picture galleries in greater Rome. The Vatican Museum also includes the 15th century Sistine Chapel, sections of the pope’s palace and the Hall of Maps (old map murals of past papal lands).

The Sistine Chapel is the site of probably the best known ceiling art in the world done by the great Michelangelo. The walls of the Chapel were done by other prominent artists including Botticelli and Perugino. Other interesting places to visit include a guided tour of the 23 hectare Vatican Garden and the Tomb of St Peter in the Vatican Underground (by reservation only).

As it does not have an army, the Vatican is protected by the Swiss Guard – a tradition that is more than 500 years old. The requirements for one to become a Swiss Guard are strictly adhered to with all Guards being between 19 and 30 years, at least 1.74 meters tall, high school graduates and single. The Guards must also be both Swiss nationals as well as adherents of the Roman Catholic faith.

Access to the Vatican is via the world renowned St Peter’s Square. The Pope holds a Wednesday session with the public starting at 1030 hours but you must have a ticket in advance to be allowed in. He also gives a blessing from his apartment window at noon each Sunday overlooking St Peter’s Square.