Vatican City: Unlocking the Secrets of the World’s Smallest Country:

Borgo Pio, 131, 00193 Roma RM, Italy 00120, Vatican City Piazza San Pietro, 00120 Città del Vaticano, Vatican City

Another day in Rome and this time to the world’s smallest country: Vatican City. Got up early and started the day in Vatican City from Roma Termini. There are a few options to reach Vatican City. The shortest option is taking a metro ride on Line A to Ottaviano and a short walk. Otherwise, you could opt to take a bus to St. Pietro and a short walk from there to the entrance of the Basilica.

The basilica opens at 7 am and people start gathering leading to a big queue for the security check. I had reached the entrance at 8 am and the queue was pretty long. It took me around 20-25 minutes to get past the security check. Once you are past the security checklist, you get to witness the grandeur of the basilica.

St. Peter’s Basilica: A Monument of Faith and Architectural Grandeur

Standing majestically at the heart of Vatican City, St. Peter’s Basilica is a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and a symbol of the Catholic faith. Its towering dome, designed by Michelangelo and finished by Carlo Maderno, dominates the Roman skyline, beckoning pilgrims from across the globe.

Stepping inside the basilica, one is immediately overwhelmed by its sheer scale and grandeur. The vast interior, adorned with intricate mosaics, sculptures, and paintings, is a testament to centuries of artistic devotion. Beneath the central dome, the high altar marks the tomb of St. Peter, the apostle considered the first Pope.

One can get holy water from the sacristy near the gift shop. There are two bottles a person can buy- the bigger one costs 5€ and the smaller one 3€. Once you have purchased the bottles, take them to the sacristy near the corner and the priest will fill it with holy water. You could also get blessings from the priest.

The Dome

When you come out of the basilica, you may notice a queue for the visit to the dome from where you can get a panorama of Rome and the view of the famous St. Peters square.

The outer shell, visible from the exterior, rises to a height of 136.57 meters (448.1 feet), making it the tallest dome in the world. The inner shell, adorned with intricate mosaics, creates a breathtaking interior space. One can opt to ascend the 551 steps by foot which costs 6€ or take a lift to the base of the dome which covers 328 steps for 8€ and climb the rest on foot.

I found climbing the steps a better option as the final 200 steps is the most difficult part as the last part of the ascent is a narrow and steep spiral staircase.

After climbing a few steps, you reach the first level where one can enjoy the breathtaking interior of the dome adorned with intricate mosaics and gilded stucco ornaments, creating a dazzling spectacle of colour and light. The central inscription in Latin, “Hinc una fides mundo refulgent” (From here a single faith shines throughout the world), reinforces the dome’s symbolic significance as a representation of the unity of the Catholic faith.

Ascending to the top of the dome offers a panoramic view of Rome and the Vatican City, a breathtaking reward for those who make the climb.

After spending a good 2 hours in the basilica, my next stop was the Vatican Museum.

Vatican City Museums: A Compendium of Artistic Treasures

TIP: Buy tickets in advance, if possible, skip a line ticket from their official site or third party vendors like getyourguide.
links provided below

I was lucky to have a ticket. I was stunned by the amount of people standing in the queue to get a ticket. The queue had extended so long that it almost reached the outer walls of the basilica.

I purchased a ticket from GetYourGuide, which as of today costs 29€. The ticket includes entry to Vatican museums and Sistine Chapel.

The Vatican Museums house one of the world’s most extensive and impressive art collections, spanning centuries of human creativity. From ancient Egyptian artefacts to masterpieces of Renaissance painting, the museums offer a captivating journey through art history.

Among the highlights of the Vatican Museums is the renowned Sistine Chapel, adorned with breathtaking frescoes by Michelangelo, including his iconic depiction of the Creation of Adam. The chapel’s walls are further embellished with frescoes by other Renaissance masters, including Botticelli and Perugino, creating a symphony of colour and artistry.

Among other artistic collections, one can come across the famous Pietà by Vincent Van Gogh. The artist had previously released the first version of the same subject, larger and with brighter colours, for his brother Theo; it is now displayed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.

As you explore the different galleries, another striking display is the mummified body from Egypt.

The Sistine Chapel is considered the holiest place in the Vatican Museum and thus photography is not allowed inside it. The chapel’s ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, is considered one of the greatest achievements in Western art. The central panel depicts nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the iconic image of the Creation of Adam, where God’s outstretched finger touches Adam’s, symbolizing the spark of life.

The Sistine Chapel serves as the official residence of the Pope and the site of papal conclaves, where cardinals gather to elect a new pope. The chapel’s rich artistic and religious significance makes it a magnet for visitors from around the world. I did come across a few people who had just come to visit the chapel.

Restaurants & Gelateria

There are numerous restaurants and gelaterias to try in the vicinity of St. Peter’s Basilica. In particular, do not miss tasting the gelatos from Gelateria Del Monte- a traditional gelateria from 1941.