The Vatican – Vatican City – Travels With Dan

The Vatican – Vatican City

The Vatican is so much more than St Peter’s Basilica. It’s actually it’s own country nestled inside of Rome. Population of full time residents is said to be 1,000.

The Vatican – Vatican City

Every piece of every building is art.

The Vatican – Vatican City

Look close, you can see the people looking down from the top of the basilica. This is still the tallest building in Rome as in the day the Pope had ordered that no structure would be permitted to go as high.

The Vatican – Vatican City

Even while parts of the buildings undergo renovation religious art hides the construction.

The Vatican – Vatican City

People come and just hang out in front of the Vatican. There is something that draws people to just be near this site. I find a similar experience at the Pantheon as well.

The Vatican – Vatican City

Statues line the roof tops.

The Vatican – Vatican City

Chairs are put out in preparation of the Pope giving Sunday mass.

The Vatican – Vatican City

In the distance you see the wall that connects the Pope’s residence to the Castel Saint Angelo. It’s a walkway that has allowed the Pope to escape to safety if under attack.

The Vatican – Vatican City

The Catholics open the most holy of sites to everyone but the entire area would be so much more serene if they did not allow the traffic to drive up.

The Vatican – Vatican City

When you arrive at the Vatican tour operators swoop like vultures looking for unsuspecting tourists to tempt with the promise of short entry waits and guided tours of the basilica and the museum. You can easily do the museum and basilica without a tour guide and save plenty. Entrance to St Pete’s is free.