I haven’t heard of the Vatican, except perhaps some resident of a distant wild settlement deep in the jungle. The entire civilized world periodically directs its views on the Vatican City, since it is a kind of capital of Catholic Christianity on the planet. The history of this city-state has many centuries, full of political and religious events.
The theme of our article we have chosen the Vatican: where is it located, what is worth knowing about it if we are going on a tourist trip to this particular country.
Where is the Vatican located and how to get there?
So, most of us know that the Vatican is a city-state. It is located in Rome - the ancient capital of Italy.
Like every state, the Vatican also has its own borders. However, from Italy they are not so difficult to cross. Various types of public transport go from the center of Rome in the direction we need: fixed-route taxis, subways, taxi services. It will not be difficult to walk to the Vatican, where there are more than a dozen attractions.
For example, the Roman metro line A in a short time takes you directly to St. Peter's Basilica in the central square or to the numerous museums of this tiny country.
The incredibly picturesque walking route from Rome to the Vatican, running from Venice Square, operates today.
Geographical data and the nature of the territory
Being aware of the location of the Vatican City, consider the main geographical data about it.
So, the area of the Vatican is only 0.44 square kilometers. The length of the border is 3.2 kilometers (remember that in a measured step, a person needs an hour to walk 4 kilometers). The entire territory of this country can be reached on foot in a short time. Especially when you consider the fact that most of it is inaccessible to tourists.
On a significant part of the tiny state are the Vatican Gardens. They occupy the slope of a low hill (elevation differences - 19-75 meters). Not far from the city flows the Tiber, through which you can get into the most beautiful part of Rome - its ancient center.
Outside the Vatican itself, in Rome, there are 28 Catholic cathedrals and other attractions. They are also considered the territory of a mini-state located outside its borders.
We are sure that now the Vatican country on the map can easily be found. Quickly finding where the “boot” of Italy is, you will see its capital and the tiny country marked there.
Vatican: milestones in history
The Vatican, as the center of the world widespread Catholic faith, began to exist, in fact, thanks to the activities of the popes. This was due, first of all, to the spread of Christianity in the world.
So many people believed in the Christian god that soon the need arose for his earthly governor. Realizing this, the Romans laid the foundation for the state in the state.
An interesting irony of fate is obtained with the name of the city-country. Ager vaticanus, from which it came, means "a place for fortune telling." We see a vivid pagan aspect of this combination.
Education and Political Status
Since 326 AD, the Vatican has come to exist as a place of worship. The fundamental was the burial of St. Peter, in whose honor the main cathedral of the country was named. Around it the modern Vatican has grown.
Only in 1929, Benito Mussolini finally determined the status of the Vatican as a geopolitical entity. Then the city was officially recognized as autonomy.
The functions for which this small state was formed, and the specifics of its formation, lead to non-standard problems. So, birth here is an out of the ordinary event, while death is quite normal. As we understand, the demographic problems of the Vatican are extremely specific.
Tourist features
Now that we know where the Vatican is located, we consider it interesting to present some features of this state.
As for the currency, then, as in Italy, the euro is used here. However, local coins are an interesting souvenir. Recall: Euro coins in each country have the same reverse, but the obverse is cast different. So it is in the Vatican. Local metal money is the rarest in the euro area.
Other little things that tourists may like are Vatican postage stamps, landmark albums, and tourist maps. Trinkets, souvenirs are also ubiquitous here, as in any other locality for recreation.
If you intend to cash out money at the Vatican's ATM, then pay attention: among the languages that the system will offer, you will see Latin.
Local entertainment
Tourists who have come here most often, after visiting local attractions, go for entertainment in Rome. The Vatican can offer visitors to contemplate various monumental structures, take a walk through the Gardens, climbing the Mario hill. The magnificent views of Rome and the Vatican will leave a vivid impression in your heart.
To get acquainted with the local views as much as possible, it will be useful for tourists to join municipal excursions.
Conclusion
In our article, we examined one of the few city states in the world - the Vatican City, where the main center of the Christian religion is located. This tiny country contains on its territory such a concentration of amazing architectural and other cultural attractions that it is worth visiting at least once in a lifetime.
An unforgettable experience is ready to provide us with the Vatican. Where is and how to get into it, we also already learned. Make up your mind and do not regret it!