THE MIDDLE EAST & EUROPEAN SERIES PT15
VATICAN CITY
The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, both by area and population, 121 acres and 825 respectively. For every local there are 6,000 annual tourists, making it one of the most popular sites in the world. To put this into perspective, the U.S. which is the most visited country in the world has 4 tourists per local per year.
WHERE IS VATICAN CITY?
The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
THE VATICAN
First things first, queues to get in here are serious. No matter how early you like to get up, you are unlikely to be one of the first people in. However, I had never seen a queue quite like it and could only wonder why. That was until I got in and realised this was the day the pope held his Angelus Prayer.
ST PETER’S BASILICA
There are two main buildings here which are the main attraction. St Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel. Believe it or not St Peter’s Basilica is not the original basilica as the original, built in the 4th century was demolished and a new one was built in the 1500s. Nor is it the official seat of the Pope, that goes to San Giovanni in Laterano. The Pope tends to use them due to its close proximately to his residence.
The Pope and getting thrown out of The Sistine Chapel
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THE SISTINE CHAPEL
With 5 million visits a year and 20,000 a day during the summer, The Sistine Chapel has to be the most visited room in the world. But believe it or not, apart from the paintings, the room is completely empty.
It signals the end of the tour and the official residence of the Pope. It is here a new Pope is chosen and is famous for it’s incredible frescos on the walls and ceilings. Photos are apparently not allowed but I did manage to get one before being thrown out.
FINAL THOUGHTS
No matter what your beliefs are, there is no denying the history of this little nation. However, I wasn’t sure what to think of the insane opulence on show.
NEXT UP
Heading up north to Pisa and Florence! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
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This post is part of The Middle East & European Series, click to explore or for episode 1 click here.