Vatican City

Description

With a surface area of less than one thousand square metres, the Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world. However the events which take place within its walls are always of world importance.

Having won independence in 1929 after being incorporated into the kingdom of Italy for 68 years, the Vatican State entered into the Lateran Pacts and the pope was given complete sovereignty of the Vatican City and the basilicas of Saint John Lateran, Saint Mary Major and Saint Paul Outside the Walls.

The Vatican city has its own postal service, currency, newspaper, radio station and railway station as well as an army of Swiss Guards whose job is to ensure the security of the pope at all times.

For visitors

Guided tours

No entrance fee charged

How to get there

The place of interest can be reached underground railway by Ottaviano-San Pietro.