We are certain that you are aware that the magnificent Vatican City is a residence of the Pope. It is also the headquarter of the Roman Catholic Church. More so, you may also be aware of the St. Peter’s Basilica and Sistine Chapel. Many of you who religiously watch the Jude Law starred, The Young Pope, may think that they pretty much know everything that is to know about the Vatican City. Well, you know what? You are mistaken. There is still a lot about Vatican City that you do not know yet.
For instance, there is not even a single person on this planet who is a born citizen of this country. Also, it has the highest crime rate in the world. It also has the largest wine consumption in the world.
Of course, most of us know that there is no government rule in the Vatican City, and it is a 100% monarchy, but what are the other things about the Vatican City that you may not know but should know before you plan your travel? Let us take a look at these things one by one.
Travel time
The first question that may come into your mind is when you should plan your visit to Vatican City? Well, in all honesty, any month of the year and any time of the day is suitable for a visit to this incredibly beautiful country. The country is a Roman territory, and the weather here is pleasant all days of the year.
In my opinion, the best time to visit the Vatican City is during the Springtime, comments Jessica, an educator who offers do my computer science homework services at TFTH for college students. In these months, nature is in its full bloom, and so is the whole city. When you visit the country during these months, the temperature is mild.
More so, during Easter time, there are abundant celebrations. Visiting Vatican City during the autumn months can also be a pleasant experience. The weather is breezy. More so, the tourists flocking the city are less. So, you can enjoy the city sans unnecessary crowd.
Reaching the Vatican City
Once you reach the airport or the train station, how do you get to the central city? The Vatican city is connected by two airports, Ciampino airport, and the Fiumicino airport. So, regardless of which airport you are at, you can travel to the central city either by bus or train. Whichever model of transportation you pick, you will reach the Termini Station.
From there, you can take the orange Metro A-line. From there, take the metro to Battistini, and you can get down either at the Cipro or Ottaviano station. Alternatively, you can also hire a private cab or a taxi to get around.
Status of the Vatican city
Vatican City though called a city, is the smallest country in the world. Its achieved its status as a city-state and is authenticated by International Law.
Things to see in the city
Some of the obvious things you can visit in the Vatican city are the Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museums, and the Saint Peter’s Basilica, comments Raun, an educator who offers statistics homework help services at TAE. The Vatican Museum is composed of fifty-four sections. Of this, some of the vital sections include Raphael Rooms, Vatican Pinacoteca, and the Gallery of the Maps, Pio-Clementino Museum, the Bramante Staircase, Egypt Museum, the Niccoline Chapel, and more.
An incredible thing about the Vatican Museums is that several artworks from the ace Italian Masters, such as Caravaggio, Leonardo, Titian, Michelangelo, Raphael, and others, have been hosted here.
What should you wear?
Vatican City, as you may know, is a holy place. So, naturally, you are to be careful about the religious sentiments of this place. Hence, there is a dress code when you visit Vatican City. At all times, your knees and shoulders must be covered on your visit to the Vatican city, comments Rhea, an online algebra tutor at FineGrades. This applies even to the hottest days of the year. If you are not dressed right, you will not get entry into the church. Always, always, carry with you a shawl to ensure that your access into the church is not restricted.
What should you eat?
Prati is the district, which is in close proximity to Vatican City. It is a beautiful area, where you can find some of the top Italian delicacies, such as aperitivo or a pizza in every nook and corner.
From the Panineria 200 grade sandwich to the trendy Zia Rilla’s homemade pasta or the La Zanzara’s grilled or aperitif meat, the choices are endless. You can even take a bite at Temakinho if you need something authentic and traditional.
Herein, the food is a nice blend of Brazilian and Japanese cooking. You can pick what you need, and you will find it here.
Traveling to the Museum free of cost
Every month, on the last Sunday, the visit to the Vatican Museum is absolutely free. However, there is a simple exception to the rule. When the Sunday coincides with a holiday, such as Christmas or Easter, or any other special occasion, the free entry stands canceled.
Further, you must know that the free admission is limited only until 2 PM, and they will allow the last entry at 12:30 PM. On Sundays, the doors open at around 9:00 AM, but people will start gathering around the main gate from around 6 in the morning. If you really want to explore the Museum for free, do ensure that you check their website to see that it is free, and no events or holidays are coinciding with the Sunday.
How can you skip those long queues in the Vatican Museum?
In Vatican City, the lines usually start from six in the morning. If you wish to make it close to the front, you need to get there between 7 to 8 AM. If not, you may have a long walk to make past the entrance. Alternatively, you can even come there around 10 AM. During this time, most visitors are already inside, and there are only a few people remaining.
So, you may not have to wait longer than a few minutes. In this manner, you will be able to get done with the Museum in less than four hours, instead of spending five hours (an additional one hour for waiting in the line).
These are some of the essential prerequisites that you must know before planning a Vatican City trip.
