The Vatican (Holy See) is the smallest country in the world with a size of 0.44 km² (0.17 square miles). It is the seat of the pope, the head of the catholic church. I had been there half a century ago on a vacation, and had another chance to see it on my trip to Western Europe in 2016.

Vatican City and the Historic Centre of Rome are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

The most famous building in the Vatican is Saint Peter's Basilica. The current building was started in 1506. It took 120 years to complete. Michelangelo designed the dome of the basilica.

See the Wikipedia description of Saint Peter's Basilica.

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.

Vatican City

View St Peter's Basilica
View of St. Peter's Basilica. It was started in 1506, construction lasted for 120 years. (832k)
St Peter's Square Dome
St. Peter's Square from the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. (930k)
St Peter's Basilica
St. Peter's Basilica. (879k)
St Peter's Square
St. Peter's Square. (878k)
Fountain St Peter's Square
Fountain in St. Peter's Square. (788k)
View Vatican Museum Dome
View of the Vatican Museum from the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. (953k)
View Vatican Grounds St
View of the Vatican grounds with St. Peter Memorial in the center. (1211k)
Palace Governatorate
Palace of the Governatorate. (1104k)
Swiss Guard
Swiss Guard. (754k)
Inside St Peter's Basilica
Inside of St. Peter's Basilica. (930k)
Inside St Peter's Basilica
Inside of St. Peter's Basilica. (1084k)
Inside St Peter's Basilica
Inside of St. Peter's Basilica. (1055k)
Dome St Peter's Basilica
Dome of St. Peter's Basilica. It was designed mainly by Michelangelo in 1547. (1063k)
Climbing Inside Dome St
Climbing inside the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. (634k)
Staircase Top Dome St
Staircase to the top of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica. (777k)
Altar St Peter's Basilica
Altar in St. Peter's Basilica. (992k)
Altar St Peter's Basilica
Altar in St. Peter's Basilica. (927k)
Altar St Peter's Basilica
Altar in St. Peter's Basilica. (859k)
Altar St Peter's Basilica
Altar in St. Peter's Basilica. (975k)
Marble Statues St Peter's
Marble statues in St. Peter's Basilica. (897k)
Marble Statue St Peter's
Marble statue in St. Peter's Basilica. (875k)
Marble Statues St Peter's
Marble statues in St. Peter's Basilica. (974k)
Marble Decorations St Peter's
Marble decorations in St. Peter's Basilica. (991k)
Marble Statue St Peter's
Marble statue in St. Peter's Basilica. (953k)
Marble Statues St Peter's
Marble statues in St. Peter's Basilica. (963k)
Marble Statue St Peter's
Marble statue in St. Peter's Basilica. (816k)
Marble Floor St Peter's
Marble floor in St. Peter's Basilica. (906k)
Marble Floor Inlay St
Marble floor inlay in St. Peter's Basilica. (842k)
Marble Decoration St Peter's
Marble decoration in St. Peter's Basilica. (961k)
Marble Floor St Peter's
Marble floor in St. Peter's Basilica. The red marble is harder than the white and is raised due to slow wearing of the white marble. (906k)
Sarcophagus Popes Tomb Underneath
Sarcophagus of one of the popes in the tomb underneath St. Peter's Basilica. (738k)
Sarcophagus Popes Tomb Underneath
Sarcophagus of one of the popes in the tomb underneath St. Peter's Basilica. (798k)

This page contains 32 pictures

Page last updated on Mon Jun 13 13:05:37 2022 (Mountain Standard Time)


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