Explore Vatican city (Italy) ‘s Finest: 14 Top-Rated tourist attractions
Our guide features 14 can’t-miss tourist attractions in Vatican city (Italy) for your next adventure. Explore the best of Vatican city (Italy) with our list of top-rated tourist attractions. For thrill-seekers, we’ve compiled 14 exciting tourist attractions. Journey through Vatican city (Italy) and discover 14 fascinating tourist attractions with unique stories.
Information about Vatican city (Italy)
Surrounded by the Italian city of Rome, Vatican City is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. Its medieval and Renaissance walls form its borders, except for the southeastern part of St. Peter’s Square. Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, bears witness to a great history and an enormous spiritual project; A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lies within the borders of this small country, at its center lies St. Peter’s Basilica with its double columns and a circular square in front and is bordered by stunning palaces and gardens.
A list of the best Tourist attractions in Vatican city
Experience the best tourist attractions that Vatican city (Italy) has to offer with our expertly chosen list of top-rated destinations. Our team has scoured visitor reviews and evaluations to bring you only the best options for your next adventure.
1- Fountain of the Galera
Fountain of the Galera – Located in the gardens of Vatican City, the delightful Galleon Fountain is the work of Dutch architect Hans van Zanten, known in Italy as Giovanni Vasanzio. The centerpiece of the fountain is a miniature galleon from the papal fleet, an exact replica complete with all the characteristics of a real ship.
Place address: Città del Vaticano, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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2- Piazza San Pietro
Piazza San Pietro – St. Peter’s Square is classified as an architectural marvel, and it is one of the most prominent tourist attractions in the Vatican City. It is also a very old archaeological landmark, as it dates back to the seventeenth century. The square is distinguished by its oval design decorated with rows of tall columns, which were built by the famous Baroque artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini at the request of Pope Alexander VII. It is worth noting that it is a very wide square with an area of about 240 meters and can accommodate approximately 200,000 people.
Place address: Piazza San Pietro, Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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3- Courtyard of the Pigna
Courtyard of the Pigna – The colossal statue known as the Bigna depicting a giant pine cone, is located in St. Peter’s in the area called the Court of Bigna which is the northern part of the large Belvedere courtyard that stretches between the papal palaces. The current name of the courtyard derives from the beautiful pine-conical statue which was cast in bronze in the 1st or 2nd century by the sculptor Publius Cincius Salvius.
Place address: 00120, Vatican City
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4- Obelisk of St. Peter’s Square
Obelisk of St. Peter’s Square – The Obelisk of St. Peter’s Square has stood in this city for centuries and has been passed by many Popes, Kings, Queens, Emperors, Presidents, Cardinals, Pilgrims and Humans over the course of time. It was built of red granite without hieroglyphs by an Egyptian pharaoh in Heliopolis to thank the sun god for restoring his sight. This Egyptian obelisk was brought to Rome at the request of Caligula, the third Roman emperor.
Place address: 00120, Vatican City
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5- The Last Judgment
The Last Judgment – Michelangelo’s Last Judgment is among the most powerful “renditions” of art in the history of Christian art; More than 300 burly figures in an endless array of dynamic poses fill the wall right up to its edges. Unlike other sacred narratives that depict events of the past, this mystery depicts scenes that have not yet happened. When they do, the visitor contemplating this painting will be among the Those whose fate was determined.
Place address: 00120 Città del Vaticano VA, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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6- Momo Staircase
Momo Staircase – The Momo Staircase or Bramante Staircase is located in the Vatican Museums and was designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932. If you climb this large spiral ramp, you will move from the street to the floor of the Vatican Museums, which is one of the most important museums in the world. The staircase takes the form of a double helix, consisting of two interlocking spirals. One leads down, the other up. The stairs are beautifully and attractively decorated. When you see them, you will stand for a while to contemplate them.
Place address: 00120, Vatican City
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7- Fountain of the Eagle
Fountain of the Eagle – The Fountain of the Eagle by Pietro Lombardi (1927/33) is located next to one of the open arches in the wall of the walkway in the Borgo district, and is composed of papal allegories. It was built for Pope Paul V and designed by Vasanzio. It was named after the eagle perched on the summit, and you can visit this landmark, learn about its history, and enjoy the beautiful scenery and the water flowing from the fountain.
Place address: 00120, Vatican City
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8- Swiss Guard Bronze Door
Swiss Guard Bronze Door – The bronze door has been located inside the Vatican City since the seventeenth century. It is run by Swiss guards and forms the entrance to the Apostolic Palace. This door also allows access to the royal stairs. It is located at the top of a staircase flanked by two large columns of marble and topped by two angelic figures and a large mural of saints and the Madonna and Child. Don’t miss the opportunity to take souvenir photos near this iconic landmark.
Place address: Vatican City, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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9- Vatican Apostolic Library
Vatican Apostolic Library – The Vatican Apostolic Library is located within the Vatican Palace and is one of the world’s richest repositories of manuscripts. It is also the direct successor of the first library of the Roman popes. Very little is known about this library until the thirteenth century but it seems to have housed a modest collection of works until Pope Nicholas V between 1447 and 1455 greatly expanded it by purchasing the remains of the Imperial Library of Constantinople.
Place address: Cortile del Belvedere V VA VA, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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10- Statue of Saint Paul
Statue of Saint Paul – Located in the Vatican City, the Statue of Saint Paul is a historic sculpture located outside the steps of Saint Peter’s Basilica that depicts Saint Paul the Apostle. You can visit this landmark with your family and friends when you visit St. Peter’s Basilica, and after completing it, you can take memorial photos near this historical statue and share these photos with your family.
Place address: Viale Centro del Bosco, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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11- Fountain of Porta Cavalleggeri
Fountain of Porta Cavalleggeri – The Porta Cavaligeri Fountain is located in the Vatican City. It was erected by Pope Pius IV in 1565 AD for use by the Papal Guard, whose barracks were nearby. The basin is a former stone sarcophagus with a lion’s head that looks as if water was flowing from it at one time along with two other streams that continue to flow from this fountain to this day.
Place address: Via di Porta Cavalleggeri, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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12- Porta Pertusa
Porta Pertusa – Porta Pertosa consists of three openings: two secondary entrances on either side of the main gate are flanked by an imposing pediment. Nowadays it is walled and overlooked by the San Giovanni Tower, restored by Pope John XXIII and in which he resided during the last years of his pontificate, and the southwestern bastion of the former Leonine wall. The age of its construction is quite controversial, possibly dating back to the return of the popes from the Avignon Papacy i.e. the end of the fourteenth century when the popes returned to Rome from Avignon with a large entourage and took up definitive residence in the Vatican.
Place address: Viale Vaticano, 00165 Roma RM, Italy
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13- Vatican Apostolic Archive
Vatican Apostolic Archive – The Vatican Apostolic Archive was known until October 2019 as the Vatican Secret Archives and is the central repository in Vatican City for all works issued by the Holy See; The Archive pursues its specific activity aimed at preserving and promoting works and documents relating to the global government of the Church, serving primarily the Roman Pontiff and the Holy See and secondly offering its services to scholars of all faiths of all nations.
Place address: Cortile del Belvedere, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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14- Courtyard of the Belvedere
Courtyard of the Belvedere – The construction of the Belvedere Courtyard was an initiative of Pope Julius II and Bramante, who wanted to connect an old papal palace on the right side of Saint Peter’s. Pope Julius was a great collector of statues when he was still a Cardinal, and after his election as Pope he carried all of his collection to the Vatican. The Belvedere was one of the places that housed the Pope’s many sculpture collections and started to make the place more attractive and popular.
Place address: Città del Vaticano, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City
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Conclusion
As you embark on your journey to explore Vatican city (Italy) , we hope you discover new perspectives, make unforgettable memories, and form deep connections with the people and places around you. Our guide is just the beginning of your adventure, so be sure to keep an open mind and heart as you explore this wonderful region. Remember to take in the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Vatican city (Italy) so unique, and don’t be afraid to step off the beaten path and discover the hidden gems that await. Whether you’re traveling solo, with friends or family, or on a romantic getaway, Vatican city (Italy) promises to be a destination that will leave you enchanted and inspired. Thank you for choosing to explore Vatican city (Italy) with us, and we look forward to hearing about your travels. Safe travels and happy exploring!