Location: Vatican City
Top Things to do in Vatican City
Top Restaurants in Vatican City
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Top 10 Free Things to do in Vatican City, Lazio
Sure, Vatican City is tiny—110 acres—but it houses the world's largest Catholic church (St. Peter's Basilica) and has perhaps the best collection of artistic masterpieces in the world (the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's Pieta, the Laocoon Group, etc.). And maybe only 800 people live here, but one of them's the Pope. It's a pretty good argument for quality over quantity.
Restaurants in Vatican City
1. La Pieta
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,551 reviews
The most beautiful work inside St. Peter's Cathedral is Michelangelo's famous La Pietà, considered by many to be the most moving piece of sculpture ever created.
Reviewed By ChiefGuru - Decatur, United States
Michelangelo Buonarroti was only twenty four years old when he created this magnificent Renaissance sculpture: “the pity”. The Pietà is considered by many to be his greatest work, besting even David and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. He carved this from one piece of white Carrara marble over the course of two years (1498-1499). This is the only signed work of Michelangelo. La Pieta is housed with St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Upon entering St. Peter's Basilica, La Pieta can be found on the right hand side in the first chapel. La Pieta is Michelangelo's unprecedented interpretation of he body of Jesus on the lap of his mother Mary after his Crucifixion. He decided to give Mary a youthful appearance to demonstrate her closeness to God as well as a reflection of her internal beauty. Both Mary and Jesus have a look of peace and acceptance on their faces. The sculpture is five feet nine inches by six feet five inches. French Cardinal Jean de Billheres, who served the church in Rome, wanted to be remembered after he died. He hired Michelangelo to achieve his goal by making a memorial for his tomb that would capture a popular Northern European art scene: the tragic moment of the Virgin Mary taking Jesus down from the cross. La Pieta is indeed a stupendous work of sculpture and should definitely be seen when visiting Rome.
2. Cappella Redemptoris Mater
3. St. Peter's Square
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,805 reviews
This grand and magnificent square has retained its classical beauty and serves as the place from which the masses receive the Pope's weekly blessing.
Reviewed By Ius84 - Fairfax, United States
First, request or obtain (free) tickets to attend Palm Sunday Mass at St. Peter's Square (however, I was not asked for my ticket to enter, but it's a nice souvenir.) On the morning of the mass I took Uber from my hotel at 6:35 am and arrived at 6:50 am at the corner of Borgo Vittorio & Via di Porta Angelica . The streets were quiet and my driver had no trouble dropping me off near the Vatican Walls where the line began on the east side. Upon my arrival I found approximately 200-300 people already in line. At 7:35 am the entrance was open and groups of 30 were allowed to approach the security screens. Once I was through security I was able to pick up an olive branch from the pile set out for the congregants. Also, at the entrance to each of the seating areas congregants were given a booklet for mass and a wooden rosary. I then headed to the area where I could easily get an end row seat to see the Palm Processional (midway between the Vatican Obelisk and the altar.) From this vantage point I was one of the few visitors to be given a 6 foot palm to hold during the processional. I was also able to see the entire processional unobstructed including watching Pope Francis (just a few feet away) walking to the obelisk for the Blessing of the Palms and then walking back to the altar. The mass was an incredible and beautiful service. After the mass concluded Francis then was driven around the crowd in his popemobile and I had a third opportunity to see him up close as he went by. (Also, for Catholics...communion is available to the crowd. The system that is used is 1) communion is only given to the congregant by the mouth (taking the communion by hand is not allowed 2) the priest stands at the end of one of the rows and begins giving communion out to each person who approaches him (which means that the row will need to negotiate between the chairs and other congregants to make their way to the priest.) At 12:30 pm I was able to make my way out of St. Peter's Square. Also, the only restroom I was able to determine that were open were the ones near the Vatican gift store/museum shop on the left hand side of St. Peter's Square.
4. St. Peter Enthroned
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 315 reviews
This masterpiece shows St. Peter sitting bearded and dressed as a philosopher, with his left hand carrying keys, the right hand being raised in blessing.
Reviewed By Y8837LLgabriela - Ploiesti, Romania
The bronze statue of St Peter sitting on a throne, with the keys of heaven in hand is situated in St Peter's Basilica. Other times it was possible to touch the foot of the statue, but with the new security regulations, you can't reach near the statue.
5. Monument to Alexander VII
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 264 reviews
In St. Peter's Chapel of the Sacrament is where Bernini's monument to Alexander VII is located.
Reviewed By AMohsen - Port Said, Egypt
This wonderful piece of art is found inside St. Peter basilica hall. It is vibrant by its fine details.
6. Vatican Grottoes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 446 reviews
Beneath the main floor of St. Peter's Basilica are the tombs of several popes and saints.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Visit to St. Peter's Basilica is a special experience. And visiting the Vatican grottoes is also extremely interesting. Extending beneath St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Grottoes contain the tombs and sarcophagi of numerous popes, as well as several huge columns from the original 4th-century basilica. In addition the grottoes also include some tombs of secular monarchs such as the tomb of Queen Charlotte of Cyprus, the tomb of the Stuarts, and the tomb of Queen Christina of Sweden. The entrance is in the Pier of St Andrew near the high altar. The place is full of fascinating tombs and sarcophagus, tunnels, chambers and Italian art. We loved seeing this part, because it is a very peaceful and serene walk past the remains of the popes who presided over the catholic church. Very interesting visit.
7. Porta Santa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 599 reviews
The Porta Santa, or Holy Door, was only opened by the Pope for Holy Year celebrations and closed at the end of 2000, and will remain sealed until 2025.
Reviewed By ChiefGuru - Decatur, United States
When visiting Vatican City, one essential stop is St. Peter's Basilica. After clearing through security and walking up to St. Peter's Basilica, visitors will observe the sealed Holy Door. This is the northernmost entrance (last door on the right) of the basilica and characterized by its sixteen panels. As per Christian tradition, the entry way is only opened on Jubilee years. In Christianity, a Jubilee is a special year of remission of sins and universal pardon. In Western Christianity, the tradition dates to 1300, when Pope Boniface VIII initiated a holy year tradition, following which ordinary jubilees have been celebrated every 100 years. Pope Clement VI reduced the period to every 50 years, Pope Urban VI to 35 and Pope Paul II to 25, with extraordinary jubilees in addition depending on need. In the case of St. Peter's, 2000 was a jubilee year and the next formal jubilee will be 2015. In the last century two extraordinary Holy Years of Redemption were also celebrated on the anniversary of Jesus' death on the Cross: 1933 (order by Pope Pius XI) and 1983 (ordered by John Paul II). More recently, on December 8, 2015, Pope Francis opened the Holy Door of Mercy in the Basilica of St. Peter, marking the official start of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. The Porta Sancta is bricked up on the inside. On the first day of the Holy Year the Pope strikes the brick wall with a hammer, and so opens the door to let in the pilgrims enter St. Peter's. It is also closed by the Pope at the end of the Holy Year. The Holy Door represents Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the gate of the sheep pen: "I am the gate. Whoever enters through me, will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture" (John 10:9). This entryway was traditionally blocked or barricaded to prevent use. Pope Benedict XIV (1748) commissioned a wood door installed. As the door fell into bad condition, Pope Pius XII (after closing the Holy Year 1950 on Christmas day) replaced them with the 16-panel bronze doors (modeled by Vico Consorti and cast by Ferdinando Marinelli Artistic Foundry) that is present today. The door is a work of art of symmetric structure, divided into sixteen rectangular panels distributed in four rows of four, divided by the coat-of-arms of the thirty six Popes, who had celebrated the ordinary Holy Years. The panels right to left and then top to bottom starting in the top left are 'The Angle at the Gates of Paradise,' 'The Fall,' 'Mary The Annunciation,' 'The Angel of the Annunciation,' 'Christ's Baptism in the Jordan,' 'The Lost Sheep,' 'The Merciful Father,' 'The Cure of a Paralytic,' 'The Woman who was a Sinner,' 'The Need for Forgiveness,' 'Peter's Denial,' 'In Front of the Crucifix The Good Thief,' 'The Appearance of Thomas,' 'Christ's Appearance to the Disciples,' 'The Conversion of Saul,' and 'Opening the Holy Door.' This historic door and its significance to Western Christianity should be observed when visiting Vatican City.
8. Campo Santo Teutonico
9. Tomb of Urban VIII
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Reviewed By 577SusanH - Tacoma, United States
This sculpture, like so many in Vatican City and throughout Rome, is amazing. The attention to detail is unbelievable when you think about it being carved from marble. Definitely another priceless work of art and an amazing representation of Christianity. So much symbolism . . . .
10. Baldacchino di San Pietro, di Bernini
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,060 reviews
Reviewed By Margo7850p
Canopy in the interior of the Basilica of Saint. Peter, also known as Italian baldacchino, measuring about 28.5 m high, was designed and made to commemorate the burial place of the first successor of Christ, and this is probably the largest artistic bronze casting preserved to this day. The outstanding sculptor and architect of the developed Baroque in Rome, Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini worked on this work in the years 1624-1633, and this was the first public order that the artist received immediately after the election of Maffeo Barberini as Pope Urban VIII. Baldacchino was consecrated by the same pope on June 28, 1633. Each of the four spiral columns supporting the canopy consists of three parts. At the top are four statues of angels, and at the top of the lid is a gilded cross on the globe.You can also notice bees on the canopy, they come from the coat of arms of the Pope's Urban VIII family. In its final form, it is a combination of the artist's creativity and ingenuity, and becomes a great symbol of Baroque art.
