Europe 2002: Vatican City Map of Vatican City
Place the mouse over an image below to view here.
Vatican City is the smallest independent nation in the world. It was created in 1929 and is governed by the Pope (Bishop of Rome). The entire city, 108.7 acres, is actually within Rome. The history of Vatican City dates back many centuries.

I went to Vatican City expecting to see the Pope address the crowd from his Papal residence but found a mass in progress when I arrived. Vatican City is a captivating place. I toured the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter's Basilica. I spent only two days in Vatican City but I could have easily spent a week!

Click here for more information on the panels of the Holy Door of St. Peter's Basilica.
St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square 

St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square  St. Peter's Square 
 
St. Peter's Square is amazing! There are 284 Doric columns and 88 pilasters of travertine marble symbolizing open and welcoming arms to the faithful. The columns are 13m tall and arranged in four rows. There are also 140 statues around St. Peter's Square.

Even more breath-taking is the inside of St. Peter's Basilica! The history of the land and the building date back centuries but the current basilica dates back to the 15th century. There are several altars and monuments in St. Peter's Basilica.

The bronze statue of St. Peter (pictured on the right) is from the 13th century. The right foot is now worn down due to the kisses and touches of the millions of visitors. The line to touch the statue was long!

The last two photos show posters of the Sistine Chapel. The Sistine Chapel is really part of the Vatican Museums which is not accessible from St. Peter's Basilica. No photographs are allowed in the Sistine Chapel so the photographs of the posters will have to make do.
Place the mouse over an image below to view here.
St. Peter's Basilica  St. Peter's Basilica  St. Peter's Basilica  St. Peter's Basilica  St. Peter's Basilica  St. Peter's Basilica  St. Peter's Basilica  St. Peter's Basilica 
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