VATICAN

History of Vatican City

Situated on the spot where St Peter was martyred and buried almost 2000 years ago this has always been an important area for the Holy See.

Prior to 1860 most of Central Italy was governed by the Papal States of which the Pope was the head. Their lands were protected by hired mercenaries and international armies. By 1860, however, most of the Papal states had been absorbed into the Kingdom of Italy with the city of Rome last to capitulate in 1870. The Vatican at night across the Tiber.


In 1929 the Lateran Treaty allowed the State of the Vatican City to be formed, and thenceforth ruled by the Bishop of Rome - the Pope.

The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with the smallest population. It measures 44 hectares ( 110 acres) and has a population of about 1000 people.


The Vatican has its own Post office and issues its own stamps. The Vatican mail system is widely used by Romans as in most cases is a lot quicker than Italian mail.


The Vatican's radio station is located in a tower inside the Vatican Gardens and broadcasts in 20 languages throughout the world.


The Vatican's railway Station was opened in 1930 and is mostly used for freight.


Piazza di San Pietro (St Peter's Square) and the colonnade were designed and built by Bernini (completed in 1667). At 314 meters long and 240 meters wide it is the largest square in Rome. Bernini (with the help of his pupils) designed the 140 statues of saints which decorate the colonnade.


The Vatican City issues its own passports; the Pope, cardinals, members of the Swiss guard and clergy being the recipients.


The Vatican City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the only site to encompass a whole country.


Italians are allowed to donate 8% of their yearly taxes to the Vatican (this is instead of paying it to the Italian Government).


In 2007 the Vatican opted to become the first Carbon neutral state by offsetting their carbon footprint with the creation of a forest in Hungary.


The Vatican stamps its own coins. The �1 coin which has a portrait of the present Pope is in high demand with collectors.


The Vatican museums are over 9 miles (14,5 kilometers) long, and it is said that if you spent only 1 minute admiring each painting it would take you 4 years to complete the circuit!

The Swiss Guards

Established in 1506 by Pope Julius II the Pontifical Swiss Guard (Vatican guard) were originally employed as personal bodyguards to the Pope, at present they serve as the military force of the Vatican.�


To be a Swiss guard one must be: at least 1,74m (5'8.5'') in height, Male, Catholic, between the ages of 19 and 30, have completed basic training in the Swiss military, and of course, be Swiss.

The popes

The Pope is an elected non-hereditary monarch and has complete judicial, executive and legislative control over the Vatican State - which means he is at present the only absolute monarch in Europe.


The balcony upon which the newly elected Pope stands is called "Loggia of the Benediction", it is from here that many millions around the world hear the first blessing "Urbi et Orbi" , to the city and the world.


Is it true that some Popes have fathered children?

Yes, many, too numerous to mention here! Pope Innocence VIII had eight! It is also rumored that Christopher Columbus was also the son of the errant Pope. It's thanks to Pope Innocence that Columbus received the funding for his trip to the new world.

Was there a female Pope?!

It is documented that after Pope Leo came a Pope Joan.
John Anglicus, born in Mainz, was recorded as being pope for two years, seven months and four days. It is is claimed that John was in fact female.

Joan/John was taken to Athens by a lover of hers and made to conceal her identity by dressing in men's clothes. Joan was an extremely bright scholar and rose quickly in society. In Rome she rose quickly amongst learnered masters and students and soon she was the choice of everyone for Pope.

While pope she became pregnant by her companion and it is said she gave birth during a procession from St Peter's Basilica to the Lateran, in a narrow lane between the Colosseum and St Clement's church. After her identity was discovered she was killed and buried in that same place.

Court of the Pigna ( Court of the Pine )

The Court of the Pigna constitutes the northern end of the great renaissance Belvedere Courtyard that extended from the Papal Palaces to Innocent VII's "palazzetto" and was subsequently divided into three parts with the construction of Sixtus V's Library and the Braccio Nuovo of Pius VII. The present courtyard which takes its name form the enormous bronze pine cone set into the "nicchone", is bounded on the south side by the Braccio Nuovo, on the east by the Chiaromonti Gallery, on the north by Innocent VIII's Palazzetto and on the west by the galleries of the Apostolic Library.

The colossal bronze pine cone was cast in the 1st or 2nd century by Publius Cincius Salvius who left his name on the base. Prior to being moved to the Court of the Pigna the jumbo pine cone was situated in the Campus Martius, in the area that is still called "Pigna", where it served as a fountain, water gushing from holes in the scales of the cone. Possibly towards the end of the 8th century it was moved to the entrance hall of the medieval St. Peter's, in the center of the fountain covered by and ornate baldachin, identified in Renaissance drawings. Finally, in 1608, during the construction of the present basilica, the giant pine cone fountain was dismantled and placed where it is today.