Vatican City - Worlds Smallest Country

Surrounded by Rome, you find the smallest country in the world. The Vatican City is an independent nation ruled by the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, the spiritual head of the Roman Catholics. Though small it is an exceptional attraction to visit. Besides the aura of the place it is a church, a graveyard, a library, museum, all in one. Here is some history and things to see.
The Vatican City is more than its individual parts. While the country may have only around a 1000 inhabitants, the 500 million Catholics will never forget them. At one point in history the Papal States had a population of 3 million. When the army entered in 1870 the Pope decided to become a voluntarily prisoner as an act of protest. This continued until 1929 in which period he had four successors. A treaty was negotiated which recognized the Vatican City as an independent state. It has a diplomatic corps appointed by the Pope.
Most people are priests and members of religious orders. There is a bank, it can print its own stamps and it can make its own money. There is a post office, a railway station and electric power station. The radio station is one of the most powerful in Europe.
Places of Interest
St. Peters Basilica
The Vatican is situated on Vatican Hill. The St. Peters Basilica is built over the tomb of St. Peter, chief of the 12 Apostles. The church is a product from various architects of which Michael Angelo will always be remembered for his artistic contribution. Numerous saints, popes, kings, queens and princes were buried in and under the church.
Papal Palace
Home of the Pope is next to the church together with the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum and Library. On the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is the evidence of the exceptional artistic tyalent of Michael Angelo. He not only painted the Creation story of Adam and Eve, but came back twenty two years later to paint the Last Judgment. The Museum contains a collection of paintings and ancient sculptures while the library contains an estimate 1 million books and 90 000 manuscripts.
The huge square in front of the basilica is really an elipse foprmed by two great colonnades. The square can accomodate 200 000 people and has been filled many times with religious historic occasions.
While the Vatican can be seen as a religious library and the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, it is much more than that. It is an inexhaustible source of beauty and inspiration and a feast for a photographer. Since it is part of Rome it is a tourist destination that is easy to reach and definitely worth the effort. You can find accommodation in Rome and using a search engine will quickly give you a variety of places to fit any budget.

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