Vatican - Rome

Vatican and Tiber

Vatican
Vatican city has been officially Vatican City State, the smallest country in the world, surrounded by walls and surrounded by the city of Rome. With an area of ​​0.44 km2 with a population of about 800 inhabitants, in both the categories it is the smallest country in the world.
Vatican City State was founded following the signing of the Lateran Pacts between the Holy See and Italy on February 11th 1929. Vatican City is an ecclesiastical or sacerdotal-monarchical state ruled by the Bishop of Rome - Pope. The Vatican is the center of the Catholic Church and its leader Pope. Vatican City State has its own flag which made ​​up  two fields, vertically divided in half: The yellow half flies alongside the flagpole, while the white half bears the papal tiara and crossed keys.
Here is well known Swiss Guard. It is a Swiss mercenary regiments which served in the armies of many European countries since the Middle Ages. Nowadays Papal Swiss Guard is the only remnant of the former Swiss military tradition because the Swiss constitution, except for the Vatican, no longer allows the recruitment of its citizens in foreign troops.
Papal Swiss Guard is responsible for the security of the Apostolic Palace, Vatican City, but also for the security of the Pope.

St Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica - Basilica di San Pietro 

St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world according to the number of believers that can accommodate (60000 people), and quite possibly the most beautiful. It was built by order of the first Christian emperor Constantine on the place where the first Pope Apostle Peter was buried. The church was completed in mid of 4. century. It was restored and enlarged in the 15. and 16. century. Many great artists worked on its restoration. Rafael has left a beautiful frescoes, Michelangelo Buonarroti designed the magnificent dome, while Maderno is the author of it facade.

Pieta 

150 years of effort resulted in numerous magnificent works of art such as Michelangelo's Pieta then numerous Berninis works like a baldachin - the largest bronze artwork in the world.  Beneath a baldachin there is the papal altar and tomb of St. Petra. Certainly the most famous work in the church is Pieta sculpted by Mchelangelo 1499.Hew was at the age of 24 years. The only time Pieta left the Basilica was from 1962-1964.  for art show in New York.

All the treasures of the basilica you can see for free. Climb up into the dome, with a fantastic view of Rome. Entrance to the dome is not free, but it is worth of every Euro. 

To be continued......