VATICAN CITY (Città del Vaticano)
- St Peter's Basilica, Piazza San Pietro, Views from the dome

A part of Rome, called Vatican City, is an independent country - actually the world's smallest country with only 828 inhabitants on 44 hectares! Vatican City (Città del Vaticano), a papal enclave and country since 1929, is the headquarters of the Catholic church and the residence of the catholic popes. It is completely surrounded by high walls. This is where the world's second largest church, the huge St Peter's Basilica is, and where the pope and the catholic church has their headquarters. The river Tiber (Fiume Tevere) is flowing through the city center, dividing Rome into two parts, with the historical core, Centro Storico, with all its sights to the East and the part where you find the Vatican City and Castello Sant Angelo to the West. Via della Conciliazione is the avenue that leads towards the border of Vatican City in front of St Peter's Square. Via Crescenzio connects the Vatican with Piazza Cavour.

St Peter's Basilica (Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano). This late renaissance church was for many years the largest church in the world (now beaten by more modern churches), and is considered to be the greatest church of Christianity and took over 100 years to create by the world's leading architects. It was inaugurated in November 1626. It is 133m to the top of the dome, that makes it the second tallest building in Rome (after Torre Eurosky from 2012), but tallest in central Rome and the Vatican City. Inside St Peter's Basilica all popes are buried, and it's huge dome was decorated by Michelangelo, where rays of sunlights are reaching down to the floor. There are alot of sculptures by Bernini. The interior is huge with marble sculptures of important catholic persons, marble floor and paintings, and the ceiling of the dome can be seen from the ground. People look down on the floor from terraces. In the cellar you find the tomb of St Peter and some other popes. On the ground floor you find the tomb of John Paul II, as well as the bodies of some popes. The tomb of Alexander VII can lso be found here, as well as Michelangelo's famous Jesus and Mary sculpture "Pieta". There is also a sculpture of Queen Christina of Sweden, who converted into catholicism and abandoned the royal family. There is an outdoor observation deck on top of the dome, that can be a pain to reach (more about that further below). There is also one inside the top of the dome that looks down on the floor and the interior of the church.

St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) is the circular square in front of St Peter's Basilica. The Tuscan colonnades, arcades with rows of columns on both sides are the borders between Vatican City and Italy. They are completely open with no border controls, but if you want to enter st Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel or the museums you have to enter through a security scan, though you won't need to show any ID. Sometimes the pope make speeches at the auditorium in front of the basilica. They were designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini.An Egyptian obelisk from the Circus of Nero was erected at the center of the square in 1586. Two fountains, designed by Bernini and Carlo Maderno, where placed on the square in the 1600s. The Papal Palace, Palace of the Vatican or Apostolic Palace, is where the popes reside, inside the Papal Apartments. The building also houses the Vatican Museums, the Vatican library, the Borgia Apartments and last but not leastthe Sistine Chapel, that is famous for it's ceiling with the painting The Last Judgment by Michelangelo. The famous Swiss Guards, soldiers from Switzerland who has served as guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century, can be seen at the gates to the Vatican. Palazzo del Governatorato, Radio Vaticano, Palazzo del Sant'Uffizio (Palace of the Holy Office) and Vatican Museums are other important buildings. The West part of the Vatican conist of a large park, Vatican Gardens with a hill above.

We visited the Vatican City twice; first we visited St Peter's Basilica and the viewing deck on top of the dome, and wanted to go to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum. But it was closed so we returned too days later and stayed in the hour long line for a second time just to see it, just to be told that it is not open on Sundays when we entered! (The opening hours couldn't be found in my guide books unfortunately.) It is not a great loss for World Travel Images though, as photographing is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, it is allowed in St Peter's Basilica though. A strange thing that happen was when I photographed St Veronica by Francesco Mochi. It was pretty weird to discover that this photo was completey black, despite there was no absence of light at the spot! Climbing St Peter's Basilica demands that you are in a good condition, with all it's steep stairs, sometimes with only a rope that you can hold on to to prevent you from falling down! But it is worth it, since it is the highest building in Rome and offers great views! There is an elevator that goes only 1/3 of the way and cost, so it is better to climb all the way. The first part of the stairways goes up to a narrow path that surrounds the cupola, where you can look down on the floor of the church. Before climbing the second part goes you go out on the terrace on the roof, and then into a door that leads inside the dome. This part of the stairs are leaning in a diagonal way, since they are situted inside the roof of the dome!

Views of St Peter's Basilica and Vatican City from Pincio Hill. The world's second largest church, inaugurated in 1626 and designed by Michelangelo, Bernini among others. It's dome was the tallest structure in Rome until 2012. Here you find the tombs of St Peter, John Paul II, Alexander VII,  a monument to Queen Christina of Sweden, statues of Jesus, St Peter and many other important catholic persons. St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) is the circular square in front of St Peter's Basilica. The Tuscan colonnades, arcades with rows of columns on both sides are the borders between Vatican City and Italy. They were designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. An Egyptian obelsik from the Circus of Nero was erecetd at the center of the square in 1586. Two fountains, designed by Bernini and Carlo Maderno, where placed on the square in the 1600s. St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) is the circular square in front of St Peter's Basilica. The Tuscan colonnades, arcades with rows of columns on both sides are the borders between Vatican City and Italy. They were designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. An Egyptian obelsik from the Circus of Nero was erecetd at the center of the square in 1586. Two fountains, designed by Bernini and Carlo Maderno, where placed on the square in the 1600s. St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) is the circular square in front of St Peter's Basilica. The Tuscan colonnades, arcades with rows of columns on both sides are the borders between Vatican City and Italy. They were designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. An Egyptian obelsik from the Circus of Nero was erecetd at the center of the square in 1586. Two fountains, designed by Bernini and Carlo Maderno, where placed on the square in the 1600s. Via Crescenzio is the avenue that leads towards the border of Vatican City in front of St Peter's Square. Via Crescenzio is the avenue that leads towards the border of Vatican City in front of St Peter's Square. The dome of St Peter's Basilica seen form St Peter's Square. It is 133m to the top, second tallest building in Rome, but tallest in central Rome and the Vatican City. St Peter's Square 007 St Peter's Square 008 St Peter's Square with St Peter's Basilica and the obelisk. St Peter's Square 010 St Peter's Square 011 An Egyptian obelisk from the Circus of Nero was erected at the center of St Peter's Square  in 1586. Bernini's fountain, St Peter's Square. The auditorium where you somtimes can watch the pope live, St Peter's Square. The Papal Palace, Palace of the Vatican or Apostolic Palace, seen fro St Peter's Square. This is where the popes reside, inside the Papal Apartments. The building also houses the Vatican Museums, the Vatican library and the Sistine Chapel. The Tuscan Colonnades, St Peter's Square. The borders to Italy. St Peter's Square 014 St Peter's Square 015 St Peter's Square 016  The Palace of the Holy Office, seat of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith  is situated just behind St Peter's Square. Palazzo del Sant'Uffizio The famous Swiss Guards, soldiers from Switzerland who has served as guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century. Police can be seen anywhere in St Peter's Square. The Tuscan Colonnades, St Peter's Square. The borders to Italy. St Peter's Square 018 Swiss guard inside St Peter's Basilica, St Peter's Square. St Peter's Basilica seen from St Peter's Square The Papal Palace, Palace of the Vatican or Apostolic Palace, seen fro St Peter's Square. This is where the popes reside, inside the Papal Apartments. The building also houses the Vatican Museums, the Vatican library and the Sistine Chapel. St Peter's Square 032 St Peter's Square 033 St Peter's Square 034 St Peter's Square 021 St Peter's Square 022 St Peter's Square 023 St Peter's Basilica's dome can't be seen from this angle! Seen from Piazza San Pietro.Square 035 St Peter's Square 036 The Papal Palace, Palace of the Vatican or Apostolic Palace, seen fro St Peter's Square. This is where the popes reside, inside the Papal Apartments. The building also houses the Vatican Museums, the Vatican library and the Sistine Chapel. Statue of St Peter, St Peter's Square. Post box of the Vatican, St Peter's Square. St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City seen from Monument to Victor Emanuele II. Views of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo 011 Views of Rome from Castel Sant'Angelo 012 A black cloud right above St Peter's Basilica in the Vatican! Views from Castel Sant'Angelo. Views of Rome from Pincio Hill towards St Peter's Basilican, Vatican City Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 001 Vatican Railway station St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 003 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 004 Views of Rome's surroundings from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 005 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 006 The observation deck on top of St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City Piazza di San Pietro (St Peter's Square) from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. The obelisk of St Peter's Square from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 009 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 010 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 011 Piazza di San Pietro (St Peter's Square) from St Peter's Basilica, with sculptures of holy figures on the roof of the basilica. Bernini's fountain, Piazza di San Pietro (St Peter's Square) from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 014 National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 015 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 016 Views  from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican EUr district with :Rome's 2 tallest and only skyscrapers so far:  Torre Eurosky (155m) and Torre Europarco (120m). The modern dome church to the left is called asilica dei Santi Pietro e Paolo all' EUR. Important catholic men seen from St Peter's Basilica. At first we thought it was the pope! Important catholic men seen from St Peter's Basilica. At first we thought it was the pope! Views of Sistine Chapel, Vatican City from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 021 Views of Sistine Chapel, Vatican City from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City  Vatican Gardens from St Peter's Basilica. Vatican Gardens from St Peter's Basilica. Views of Sistine Chapel, Vatican City from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City  Views of the Vatican Gardens from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 026 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 027 Radio mast seen from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Radio Vaticano, from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 030 Views of Palazzo del Governatorato in Vatican City from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City Views of Palazzo del Governatorato in Vatican City from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City Views of Rome and Vatican City from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 033 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 034 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 035 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 036 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 037 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 038 Views of the Tiber from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 039 Details of the dome of St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 040 Views of Rome from St Peter's Basilica, Vatican City 041 St Peter's Basilica, interior 001 Maderno's nave, looking towards the chancel, St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 003 St Peter's Basilica, interior 004 St Peter's Basilica, interior 005 St Peter's Basilica, interior 006 St Peter's Basilica, interior 007 St Peter's Basilica, interior 008 St Peter's Basilica, interior 009 Statue of St Peter holding the keys of heaven, St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 011 St Peter's Basilica, interior 012 St Peter's Basilica, interior 013 Bernini's "Cathedral Petri" and "Gloria", St Peter's Basilica. Ceiling of the dome, St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 016 Marble floor, St Peter's Basilica. St Helena by Andrea Bolgi, St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 019 St Peter's Basilica, interior 020 St Peter's Basilica, interior 021 St Peter's Basilica, interior 022 St Veronica by Francesco Mochi. It was pretty weird to discover that this photo was completey black, despite there was no absence of light at the spot! St Peter's Basilica, interior 024 The tomb of Alexander VII, St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 026 St Peter's Basilica, interior 027 St Peter's Basilica, interior 028 St Peter's Basilica, interior 029 Popes buried in St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 031 St Peter's Basilica, interior 032 St Peter's Basilica, interior 033 St Peter's Basilica, interior 034 St Peter's Basilica, interior 035 St Peter's Basilica, interior 036 Tomb of a pope, St Peter's Basilica. Pont Max, St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 039 St Peter's Basilica, interior 040 The Pietà by Michelangelo in the north aisle. The Pietà by Michelangelo in the north aisle. Queen Christina of Sweden, who converted into catholicism and abandoned the royal family. St Peter's Basilica, interior 044 St Peter's Basilica, interior 045 St Peter's Basilica, interior 046 Tomb of Pope John Paul II, St Peter's Basilica. Tomb of Pope John Paul II, St Peter's Basilica. Tomb of Pope John Paul II, St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 050 St Peter's Basilica, interior 051 St Peter's Basilica, interior 052 St Peter's Basilica, interior 053 St Peter's Basilica, interior 054 St Peter's Basilica, interior 056 St Peter's Basilica, interior 057 St Peter's Basilica, interior 058 St Peter's Basilica, interior 059 The steep and narrow stairs towards the top of  St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, dome St Peter's Basilica, dome St Peter's Basilica, dome St Peter's Basilica, dome St Peter's Basilica, at the feet of the dome St Peter's Basilica, at the feet of the dome Looking down from the dome of St Peter's Basilica. Looking down from the dome of St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, the circular observation deck inside the dome St Peter's Basilica, dome Looking down from the dome of St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, interior 072 St Peter's Basilica, the circular observation deck inside the dome St Peter's Basilica, interior 074 The  steep and narrow stairs towards the top of  St Peter's Basilica. The steep and narrow stairs towards the top of  St Peter's Basilica. The  steep and narrow stairs towards the top of  St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, dome St Peter's Basilica, dome St Peter's Basilica, dome People at the observation deck of the dome, St Peter's Basilica. St Peter's Basilica, dome St Peter's Basilica, interior 086 St Peter's Basilica, interior 087 St Peter's Basilica, interior 088 St Peter's Basilica, interior 089 St Peter's Basilica, interior 090 St Peter's Basilica, interior 091 St Peter's Basilica, interior 085 Via della Conciliazione towards the Vatican City. Walls of the Vatican, Via Crescenzio towards the Vatican City 002 Via della Conciliazione towards the Vatican City 003 Via della Conciliazione towards the Vatican City 004 Via della Conciliazione towards the Vatican City 005 Via della Conciliazione towards the Vatican City 006 Via della Conciliazione towards the Vatican City is filled with tourist stores and restaurants. Via della Conciliazione towards the Vatican City 008 Via Crescenzio towards the Vatican City 009 Via Via della Conciliazioneo towards the Vatican City 010 Ponte Vittorio Emanuela II, the nearest bridge to the Vatican, Via Crescenzio towards the Vatican City 011 Via Crescenzio towards the Vatican City 012