10 Interesting Facts about Vatican City

If you love to travel around the world and want to take one, then you should read one of these following facts about Vatican City since it can be one of your recommended place to visit first. Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome. It has an area of approximately 44 hectares (110 acres), and a population of around 840. This also makes Vatican City the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world by both area and population. To get to know more about this country, here are some facts about Vatican city you may like.

Facts about Vatican City 1: Own System

Vatican City has its own telephone system, post office, gardens, astronomical observatory, radio station, banking system, and pharmacy, as well as a contingent of Swiss Guards responsible for the personal safety of the pope.

Facts about Vatican City 2: St. Peter’s Basilica

The most interesting building is St. Peter’s Basilica which was built during the 4th century and rebuilt in the 16th. It was built over the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle.

Facts about Vatican City 3: Dependent Economy

The economy of the place is dependent on the printing industry, production of coins, postage stamps and financial activities. It is absolutely non-commercial and the economy is largely supported by the annual tax collected from the Roman Catholic dioceses all over the world. The sale of coins and postage stamps of Vatican City also earns it quite an amount of revenue. It is also a tourist place.

Facts about Vatican City 4: Cultural Hub

It is a great cultural hub from earlier times and artists like Michelangelo, Boticelli and Bernini stayed here and enhanced the already rich culture of Vatican City. There are museums and libraries that are of great intellectual and historical importance.

Facts about Vatican City 5: Piazza di San Pietro

Piazza di San Pietro (St. Peter’s Square) and the colonnade were designed and built by Bernini (completed in 1667). At 314 meters long and 240 meters wide, it is the largest square in Rome. Bernini (with the help of his pupils) designed the 140 statues of saints which decorate the colonnade.

Facts about Vatican City 6: Vatican Guard

Established in 1506 by Pope Julius II the Pontifical Swiss Guard (Vatican guard) were originally employed as personal bodyguards to the Pope, at present they serve as the military force of the Vatican.

Facts about Vatican City 7: Swiss Guard

To be a Swiss guard one must be: at least 1,74m (5’8.5”) in height, Male, Catholic, between the ages of 19 and 30 and have completed basic training in the Swiss military, and of course, be Swiss.

Facts about Vatican City 8: The Pope

The Pope is an elected non-hereditary monarch and has complete judicial, executive and legislative control over the Vatican State, which means he is at present the only absolute monarch in Europe.

Facts about Vatican City 9: Loggia of the Benediction

The balcony upon which the newly elected Pope stands is called “Loggia of the Benediction”, it is from here that many millions around the world hear the first blessing “Urbi et Orbi” , to the city and the world.

Facts about Vatican City 10: Gardens

Within the territory of Vatican City are the Vatican Gardens, which account for more than half of this territory. The gardens, established during the Renaissance and Baroque era, are decorated with fountains and sculptures.

Those facts about Vatican City might make you want to visit the country. With all history and things, this country is really beautiful and interesting to visit. Hope you found these Vatican City facts really interesting and joyful to read.