Vatican City Attractions

 
The extensive territories of the Papal States in central Italy, originally presented to the Pope by the Frankish king Pippin the Short, father of Charlemagne, were incorporated in the new kingdom of Italy in 1870. The Pope thereafter regarded himself as a prisoner in the Vatican, and this rift between Church and State was not finally healed until 1929, when Mussolini concluded the Lateran Treaty with the Holy See under which the Pope gained full sovereignty over the more restricted territory of the Vatican State.
Picture of St Peter's Basilica

Read More St Peter's Basilica

The center piece of the Vatican, St Peter's Basilica is the world's most famous Christian church. The first church of St Peter was built here in 326, but the magnificent structure seen today was built between the 16th and 18th C.
Picture of St Peter's Square

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In front of St Peter's Basilica, the huge St Peter's Square accommodates enormous crowds, particularly on religious holidays. Rows of columns enclose the oval "square" on two sides, and in the middle stands an Egyptian obelisk.
Picture of Vatican Palace

Read More Vatican Palace

Vatican Palace is the Papal residence. This huge and extravagant complex covers 13.5 acres, excluding the gardens.

Read More Vatican Gardens

More Vatican City Resources
Fountain in Piazza San Pietro, Vatican.St Peter's Basilica, Rome
St Peter's Square at the Vatican.St Peter's Square, Rome
Exterior of the Vatican Palace.Vatican Palace, Rome
Interior, Vatican City.St Peter's Church - Interior, Rome
Sculpted sphere in courtyard of Vatican Museum.Vatican Museums, Rome
Fountain and dome of St Peter's Basilica.St Peter's Church - Crossing and Dome, Rome
View of St Peters with bridge.St Peter's Basilica, Rome
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