The Vatican palace contains some of the world’s greatest art treasures. The extensive buildings and interior courts cover an area of 12.5 acres. As well as the remarkable Greek and Roman sculpture museums, the gallery of paintings, the library, the Egyptian and Etruscan collections, etc. The palace contains the famous Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo‘s frescoes and the Stanze decorated by Raphael.
Over 30.000 people visit the Sistine Chapel every day; it is the exclusive goal of almost every tour group that enters the palace. The Vatican City lies on the right bank of the Tiber River. Since 1929, the Vatican is an independent country with an area of 107.5 acres and a resident population of 550.
Saint Peter‘s is the largest basilica in the world. Construction began in 1506 but was completed only in 1626. It contains wonderful masterpieces like the Pietà by Michelangelo or the canopy over the main altar by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Upon entering the church you’ll be overwhelmed by the beauty of its hundreds of giant mosaics and the atmosphere that reigns in this amazing house of worship.
Suggestions: Vatican dress code – no bareshoulders, skirts and shorts under the knees.