From the hells of the Vatican are mysterious, attractive, with centuries of history, like the state to which they belong. For centuries, the papal possessions were hidden behind a high wall, protected from prying eyes, like the private life of the pontiffs. And only recently the gardens have been opened for visits, the number of excursions is limited, and the order of their conduct is strictly regulated.

Dad collection

The gardens are spread out on the Vatican Hill, covering an area of ​​approximately 20 hectares. They were created without any plan and are a collection of several parts with different themes. There are natural areas that look like forest thickets, and man-made landscapes that include almost all the main styles and directions of gardening, which is not surprising, because gardens have been cultivated for several centuries.

At the moment, there are about seven thousand plants in the papal collection, including pines, oaks, chestnuts, cedars, cypresses, olives, palms, sequoias, boxwoods, bananas, orchids, ivy, etc. There is a collection of succulents that feel quite comfortable under the protection of centuries-old walls. There are also very rare trees that can honor any botanical garden. Convenient viewing platforms offer a beautiful view of both the gardens and the city itself. the eternal City Rome.

The age of the Vatican gardens is eight centuries, they are considered one of the oldest.

Garden at the Vatican Museum
french garden
Italian garden. Parterre

Creation of the garden

The founder of the gardens is considered to be Pope Nicholas III (1216–1280), who arranged utilitarian plantings outside the walls of the Vatican, in the early medieval tradition. medicinal plants, vegetable gardens and orchards. Gradually, according to the spirit of the times, in the Vatican landscapes, aesthetic value took precedence over practical benefits. Extensive lawns, flower beds, graceful paths, sculptures and buildings appeared in the gardens. The park is decorated with images of both ancient heroes and Christian saints; you can often see statues and picturesque images of the Virgin Mary. Planting water has long been supplied with the help of springs, and over time, various fountains appeared in the gardens, some of which are not inferior in their luxury to those of Versailles.

The Vatican entered the Renaissance under the reign of Pope Julius II
(1443–1513). During this period, the gardens were divided into three parts: "della Bibliotheca", "della Pigna" and the Belvedere courtyard. A significant contribution to the development of gardens was made by Pope Pius IV (1499-1565). He was known as a man with a light, benevolent character and a bright soul. The pontiff was not alien to the love of beauty and in 1559 he ordered to plant a garden in the Renaissance style in the northern part of the Vatican possessions. The garden owes him one of the most beautiful buildings, which is called “the house of Pope Pius IV”. This is a small villa that looks like a carved ivory box.

Pope Gregory XIII (1502–1585) built the Tower of the Winds on the territory of the gardens, placing an observatory in it. Under Pope Paul V
(1552–1621), the Troyan aqueduct destroyed by the barbarians was restored and additional water supply was established from Lake Bracciano, located 40 km from the gardens, and invited Dutch masters decorated the landscapes with ponds, fountains and cascades. The famous Italian masters Antonio Tempesta, Giovanni Maggi and Gianbatista Falda took part in the creation of the Vatican gardens.

Since the middle of the 17th century, the Vatican plantations have acquired the functions of botanical gardens. Pope Clement XI (1649–1721) was a passionate collector of rare species; through his efforts, the Vatican acquired an interesting collection of subtropical plants.

The first visitors were allowed into the gardens under Paul VI (1963-1978). Under him, a garden was arranged on the roof of the palace.

Gardens occupy half of the territory of the Vatican.

House of Pope Pius IV
Flower garden against the wall
Dome of the collection of St. Petra

Italian, French, English

The Vatican landscapes are divided into three main parts: Italian, French and English gardens.

The Italian garden is distinguished by its decorative effect and lush Mediterranean vegetation. Container landings are actively used in its design. However, here you can meet a lot of interesting exotics. For example, "red acacia", or erythrina cockscomb, which got its name because of the coral-red flowers that can be admired for most of the year - 9 months. She was planted in late XIX century and is the only survivor from the collection of exotic plants of Leo XIII.

The French garden is characterized by strict forms and ornamental plantings. Topiary haircut is widely used. One of the decorations here are arches entwined with roses and other ampelous plants. In the same part there is a large green labyrinth.

The romantic landscapes of the English Garden leave an impression of neglect. But such an atmosphere is created consciously and very skillfully. Plantings imitate natural forest corners, and fragments of columns and ancient statues maintain the spirit of antiquity. This part of the garden is preferred by the current Pope Benedict XVI, here in the morning he jogs in the company of his brother.

In the upper part of the gardens, not far from the chestnut grove, there is any place for papa's walks. The path laid here is covered by a double wall protecting the pontiff from the winds.

The grottoes of Lourdes are one of the most famous decorations of the garden. The walls of the grottoes are densely covered with ivy, under the arch of one of the man-made caves there is a sculpture of the Virgin Mary. The composition illustrates the appearance of Our Lady in 1858 to Bernadette Siburu, a young resident of Lourdes.

The gardens of the Vatican are decorated with more than 90 fountains. The Eagle and the Galley are considered the most famous, their author was the Dane Jan van Santen. The symbol of the Borghese clan, to which Pope Paul V belonged, is immortalized in the image of an eagle. The Galera Fountain is a lead model of a ship firing water jets, it is believed that it illustrates the saying of Pope Urban VIII: “Papal warships spew not fire, but water that extinguishes war."

There are also long-lived trees in the gardens. These are two pines, their exact age has not been established, but it is assumed that the “old women” are at least 600 years old, or even all 800. The venerable Lebanese cedars are two times younger, and some olives have been growing here for more than 500 years.

On a separate territory grow trees received as a gift by the popes from state and public figures and organizations. Since the trees are brought from all over and adapted to different conditions growth, Vatican gardeners have to put in a lot of effort to make gifts feel at home on Vatican soil. By the way, not only plants are given to dads, but also objects garden decor, statues, gazebos, benches, etc.

There are also olive groves in the Vatican's possessions ... More precisely, not groves, but alleys. You can meet single powerful and beautiful specimens.

Squirrels, rabbits, bats and small rodents inhabit the Vatican gardens. But perhaps the most interesting of the local inhabitants are parrots. They build their nests in trees, roam the lawns, and make their surroundings loud with harsh cries.

One of the main attractions of the smallest territorially state in the world is the Vatican Gardens. It is estimated that this unique botanical complex occupies a little more than half of the entire territory of the Vatican State - about 20 hectares. They are located on the slopes of the hill to the west of the Vatican Palace.

The gardens of the Vatican are not just thickets of trees and shrubs, they are entire architectural and landscape complexes with palaces, turrets, fountains. All architectural elements harmoniously fit into the stunning beauty of green lawns and squares.

History of occurrence

The history of the Vatican Gardens dates back to ancient times. The first mentions of it as a holy place are found in the chronicles of Ancient Rome, when Roman soothsayers (augurs) uttered their prophecies on the Vatican Hill. Because of this, the surroundings of the hill were considered a holy place, and people were forbidden to establish settlements there.

After the adoption of Christianity, the Vatican Hill and the area around it were still considered sacred. The only building, the basilica at the burial place of the first head of the Christian church - St. Peter, was built in 326 AD. Over time, the dwellings of priests began to appear around it.

According to legend, the first garden of the Vatican was laid out around the new palace of Pope Nicholas III. True, it was not a garden in the modern sense, rather, it was a small nursery of medicinal plants. Since then, each pope added something of his own to the arrangement of gardens, until centuries later the Vatican Gardens became the pinnacle of landscape art.

Green paradise device

Due to the fact that the landscape of the Vatican gardens was created without any plan and scheme, and each subsequent pope tried to expand and improve their design, an unusual a nice place for rest and reflection.

All parts of the garden differ from each other, even with a strong desire, it will not be possible to find similar ones. There is only one similarity: thanks to the tireless work of 30 gardeners, all the plants in the garden look well-groomed. The basis of the Vatican Gardens is made up of evergreen trees: cedars, pines, boxwood, olives, because of them a riot of greenery continues all year round.

A mild subtropical climate prevails in this part of Italy, so even capricious plants grow well here. exotic plants. And the collection of cacti collected from all over the world will leave an unforgettable impression.

From the outside world, the gardens are fenced off by high walls erected during the Renaissance. Previously, they served to protect against attacks, but now they perform a rather decorative function. Partially they collapsed, and the remains of the stone walls, densely overgrown with ivy and other climbing plants, do not seem intimidating at all.

In order to ensure that the water supply to the gardens was uninterrupted even during the dry summer months, an aqueduct was built in the 17th century, through which water flows from a lake located forty kilometers away.

french gardens

One of the visiting cards of this well-groomed landscape park French gardens are considered. They are decorated with numerous green arches entwined with climbing roses and yew. Many travel brochures have a picture of the dome of St. Peter's Basilica among the flowering arches. Another highlight of the French gardens is a large green labyrinth, the smooth walls of which consist of carefully trimmed evergreen shrubs.

There you can also admire the famous Lourdes grottoes, the stone walls of which are densely overgrown with dense ivy. These grottoes are an exact copy of the original located in France. Among the thickets of dark green ivy, you can see the statue of the Virgin Mary, depicted as a teenage girl.

In general, on the territory of the Vatican Gardens in Rome there are many statues, from ancient antique to masterpieces of modern art.

Italian garden

The decoration of the Italian Park are numerous red acacia trees. The flowers of this tree are extremely unusual - they resemble a cockscomb not only in shape, but also in their coral-red color. The flowering period of the red acacia is more than nine months (from April to December), so guests of the gardens can admire their unusual beauty for a long time.

Throughout the Italian Park there are ceramic vessels with blooming azaleas. Many are installed directly on the ground, some are located on special decorative stands.

And yet, walking through the Italian part of the Vatican Gardens, you can see one of the variants of the ancient refrigerator - large ceramic vessels with a tight-fitting lid. Our ancestors buried such pots up to their necks in the ground, and food was preserved in them even in hot weather.

English park

When visiting the English Park, one gets the impression that this is a piece of wild untouched nature, which the hands of designers have not touched. In fact, the opposite is true, the location of each tree and each supposedly chaotically lying stone was carefully thought out by talented gardeners. Therefore, it is not surprising that the current dad chose the English Park for morning runs.

There are many statues, columns and decorative stones on the territory. Sometimes it seems that part of the column has fallen from antiquity - in fact, this is a well-adjusted design move. And it seems that the natural heaps of rapids and whirlpools of the "Little Falls" fountain were created by the hands of industrious servants.

How to get to the Vatican Gardens

Unlike absolutely free viewing, visiting the gardens at the Pope's residence is strictly regulated. For tourist groups, they are open on all days except Wednesdays, Sundays and holidays.

Usually there is only one excursion per day for a limited group of guests, it is extremely rare that there are two excursions. Therefore, it is better for those who wish to sign up in advance, at least two months in advance. You can do this on the official portal of the Vatican by choosing the time and date of your visit. Then you need to pay for a combined ticket. Buying a single ticket also gives you the opportunity to skip the line to visit all the museums of the state in the state. You can use it until 18 pm.

Tours are conducted only by special guides serving in the Vatican. Even when ordering an individual excursion, it will be carried out as part of general group. Tourists are provided with an audio guide in English, Spanish, German or Italian. For Russian-speaking guests, it is better to choose an individual guide in advance.

Visiting Rules

Given that the Vatican Gardens are not only a beautiful landscape park, but also the residence of the current head of the Catholic Church, there are quite a few rules when examining them.

It is not recommended to come on an excursion to the Vatican Gardens in overly open clothes (shorts and T-shirts with bare shoulders are prohibited). Also, you can’t take dimensional things with you, even you may be asked to leave a camera tripod at the entrance. Before the start of the visit, the polite guardsmen from the Pope's security service will definitely inspect things. By the way, photographing these brave Swiss guards is prohibited.

During the tour, it is forbidden to separate from the main group, leave the paths of the garden, touch or pluck any plants. It is still not possible to shoot video, although you can take pictures of everything. It is better to charge the camera well and take a spare memory card with you, you will want to capture everything you see.

How are the tours

It seems that two hours allotted for visiting the Vatican Gardens of the Vatican will not be enough to see the huge natural landscape park. However, a professional tour is organized in such a way that it captures most of the significant parts of the garden. During the tour, in addition to walking in the garden, you can visit the Church of Santo Stefano del Abessini, the Palazzo San Carlo, the House of the Archpastors, the Gallinaro Tower, the Governor's Palace and many more architectural and landscape treasures of the Vatican.

A few years ago, due to the increase in the number of people dreaming of visiting the Vatican Gardens, the administration developed a special bus tour.

It is held only in the gardens, guests are transported along shady alleys in small eco-cars. The duration of such an excursion is about an hour, during which time the bus makes 12 stops so that guests can better view the picturesque landscape. However, you are not allowed to get off the bus during the tour, even during stops.

The well-groomed gardens and parks of the Vatican are beautiful at any time of the year, peace and serenity always reign in them...

Quote message Peace and serenity reign in the gardens of the Vatican...

Buongiorno, amici! We have finished our walk in the Sistine Chapel with you... and agreed... But no! Today we will plunge into the peace and serenity of the gardens of the Vatican. And Anatoly Odessit will "immerse" us in their beauty!

Turn on the video and enjoy the magical music!

And this is the Raphael Museum... So dynamically, as if everything happens in life... "The School of Athens" is a brilliantly executed multi-figure (about 50 characters) composition, which presents ancient philosophers, many of whom Raphael gave the features of his contemporaries, for example , Plato is painted in the image of Leonardo da Vinci, Heraclitus in the image of Michelangelo, and Ptolemy standing at the right edge is very similar to the author of the fresco. It depicts the sages of the whole world, arguing with each other in every way ... Among them is Diogenes with his bowl, reclining on the steps, a figure very deliberate in its detachment and worthy of praise for beauty and for clothes so suitable for her ... Beauty is of the astrologers and geometers mentioned above, who draw all sorts of figures and signs on the tablets with compasses, is truly inexpressible. From the Internet - why am I - a bald guy in a white sheet at the bottom left with a sheet of paper - it was Rafael who portrayed himself ...

I would like to believe that everyone who will be in Rome will spare no time and come personally to admire other Vatican museums. These are good impressions. I guarantee! Yes ... Even after visiting the Vatican, I realized that many museums in the world are simply poor compared to the treasures of the Papal Court. One corridor would be enough to create at least three full-fledged museums, where one could leisurely admire the sculpture and painting. And how many more floors are there in depth ... Libraries, archives, everything collected by the Jesuits over hundreds of years of intelligence and missionary work ... By the way, one of the best intelligence services in the world ... One excursion here is clearly not enough ... because the first time the task - just realize that you were here and still regularly pick up a falling jaw from the floor. For the second time already some understanding. Well, today we will look into the Papal Gardens!...

There is a state in the world, half of whose territory is occupied by gardens. If you're at a loss, the answer is quite simple - it's the Vatican.

Being the smallest state, it has a territory of 44 hectares, half of which is occupied by gardens and even a two-hectare forest.

Damn... The Vatican has everything!!! The Vatican has its own passports. There is an army. There is a prison. There is a railroad and a railway station. This seemingly not the most remarkable building is nothing more than the only station at the only railway station in the Vatican. From time to time, popes go on trips to holy places with it. Obviously, dads don't abuse the railroad. It can be seen that the rails are pretty rusty. I specifically searched for information on the frequency of use of the Vatican Railway and found only two trips in history.

There is a helipad.

There is a radio station broadcasting in 47 languages. The antenna of the radio station "Radio Vatican" ... There is television. Has its own internet domain. There is a daily newspaper. Has its own coin. There are St. Peter's Basilica and Museums...

And of course there are gardens!

It all started in the 4th century. Somehow the emperor Constantine sees - the hill is standing. It's called the Vatican. Empty stands, ugly such. And what good is the hill to disappear. Bang! Here you go... Get a church... St. Peter's! Do people need to spread Christianity? So that the priest does not run far to work, Bam! The house not far from the church was celebrated ... And this is already property! It is necessary to protect ... In the IX century. Bang!

The Vatican Hill has already been surrounded by a fence. In the form of a fortress wall ... Since 1377, all normal Popes began to live on this hill. Well, as usual, everyone remade something for themselves. To whom the chambers are too small, to whom the columns are short.

The lands of the Vatican are sacred, and therefore it is believed that everything that is planted here blooms and bears fruit. The Vatican Gardens are unique!

Thousands of outlandish plants collected from all over the world grow here. The pride of the botanical garden is three relic Chinese trees with a tricky name. In China itself, such a tree remains in a single copy. The garden is looked after by 36 gardeners, but only one of them lives on the territory. The rest, as well as another 2,500 service personnel, come to work.

In general, the Vatican gardens begin their history in the XIV century with Pope Nicolo III, when the pope returned from the Avignon captivity to Rome. In these gardens, in addition to rare plants and centuries-old trees, there are many different buildings, all kinds of towers, houses, viewing platforms, not to mention fountains. Popes had different attitudes towards gardens.

But it is believed that the real flowering of the gardens began at the moment when antique sculptures “moved” there and fountains began to beat. It happened at the moment when the Vatican became the only refuge of the pontiffs. Since then, local gardens have become a place where dads knead their old bones, exposing their wrinkled faces to a fresh breeze. The Vatican Gardens were designed by renowned artists Antonio Tempesta, Giovanni Maggi and Gianbatista Falda.

Here it is the Italian winter, like the Russian summer!

Over the past eighty years, many good and pious people have loved these gardens.

Here, under the oaks, Pius IX sometimes rode on his white mule. Leo XIII, Saint Pius X, Benedict XV, Pius XI and, of course, Pius XII walked and prayed here.

Although now the popes are no longer imprisoned, as in prison, in their palace. During their voluntary imprisonment, they managed to give the gardens a uniqueness that is still preserved; and it is impossible to walk here or sit under the trees or look at the fountains (very modest in appearance - you can see these in an ordinary garden, and they do not at all look like the huge papal fountains of Rome) so that your imagination does not draw the white figures of "captive popes" under the old walls.

The mysterious gardens of the Vatican can be called because not every tourist can see their beauty up close, and not from the height of the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral. If almost anyone can get into museums, then there are certain difficulties with visiting gardens for tourists.

Firstly, for this you need to reserve a date in advance. Secondly, you can get into the gardens only as part of a group and accompanied by a guide, and it is absolutely impossible to lag behind him. Only one (rarely two) groups of tourists are allowed to enter the gardens per day. I don't even know what to say, you have to see it all.

When planning a hike in the Vatican Gardens, you should remember that a few people visit them per day, so you should plan your visit in advance, as places in groups diverge on the fly. On the site http://mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/MV_Home.html, you can check in advance how things are going with this or that date and immediately figure out which group to join.

The procedure for ordering tickets is not complicated in itself: first we go to the "Biglietteria online" section, where we select the "Visite guidate Singoli" option. The menu that appears can amaze you with a wealth of alternatives, but here you should not let your eyes run wide, but you should boldly press on the inscription "Giardini Vaticani". The next page will "please" the visitor with an ever-increasing price from year to year; now the ticket costs 31 euros, but the price includes not only a tour of the gardens, but also the actual visit to the Vatican Museums, which costs 15 euros, so the gardens alone cost 16 euros. It remains only to choose the desired date of visit and the number of people: this should be done in the "Selezione periodo e partecipanti" section. By specifying the month, the visitor receives a calendar, where the available dates are marked with green icons. When the choice is made, you need to enter the details of a bank card with a sufficient amount in the account, after which the businessman will be concocted, and his instigator will receive an order confirmation by mail. There will be both a voucher number and transaction data, as well as a PDF file - you will need to print it out and take it with you on a trip: it is on this printout that the guard who stands in front of the entrance to the building of the Vatican Museums lets visitors skip the line.

At the strictly scheduled time, we were let by a valiant guard into a strange and tasteless building. Another half an hour of organizing meetings, distribution of players, replacement of headphones, waiting for the lost ... and we find ourselves in ... construction backyards. Again the languor of the spirit. Where, finally, are these gardens, these paradises, brought to perfection by hard-working clergy during the difficult decades of voluntary seclusion? Now there was no going back...

Gardens owe their origin to the habit of many popes of Rome, so to speak, to enjoy worldly pleasures to the fullest. Instead of poring over spiritual perfection in their cell, these leaders of the flock often preferred to relax in the right company and surroundings.

The coat of arms of the Vatican is made of sheared boxwood and flowers on a lawn and is divided into two parts. The one on which the keys of St. Peter are depicted remains unchanged for many centuries, while the other changes with the popes.

Personally, my impression of the gardens was somewhat "wetted" by cloudy weather, but in general the walk turned out to be very informative, and most importantly, it made me feel like a kind of time traveler.

Let me explain this idea: following the guide along the winding path, led by him alone, we now and then moved from era to era, as the reality surrounding us changed with marvelous speed. Only now the sightseers were standing in an open area between antique statues, and now they are already next to the wall of a medieval castle, after which in the blink of an eye they find themselves next to an elegant pavilion surrounded by fountains - neither give nor take any Versailles.

The entire territory of the Vatican Gardens is divided into: Italian, French and English gardens.

The entire French garden is magnificent, entwined with plants and roses, metal arches. Here are the unusual, ivy-covered grottoes of Lourdes. In the French Garden there is a statue of the Virgin Mary. The Italian garden is decorated with "red acacia" - a unique exotic tree that grows in Africa, Australia and Japan.

This tree has coral-red flowers that are shaped like a cockscomb. This wonderful tree blooms from April to December. The tree is remarkable in that a fabric dye is made from the flowers of the “red acacia”. The seeds are used to make jewelry. And yet, musical instruments are made from this tree. In the Italian garden, many beautiful exotic trees and shrubs.

They have been brought here for many years from all over the world. Walking through the English Park in the morning, you can watch how the current dad and his 94-year-old brother exercise and jog in the morning. But... you are unlikely to be able to see this spectacle, as tourists and vacationers are allowed into the English Garden only after 10 am. Columns, stones and statues are laid across the territory of the English Park in various places. Landscape design artists have tried to create an atmosphere of pristine, romantic and graceful. In the English Park there is a copy of a natural waterfall, which is called "Little Falls".

Whirlpools and thresholds add charm and opulence to this masterpiece of design art. Another magnificent fountain, near which there are always many vacationers.

This is the Eagle Fountain. The image of the eagle is, according to many, a symbol of the Roman Empire.

In general, the walk was very fruitful, and I did not regret for a second that we paid sixty euros for two tickets: it was definitely worth it. Personally, I liked the neat trellis of bushes of the Italian garden and the area where bonsai trees were planted. And, of course, the view of St. Peter's Cathedral was beautiful, opening from different places and from different angles ...

In "paradise", presumably, "paradise" birds should live. That is why African green parrots are bred in the Vatican, which freely fly from branch to branch right in front of the astonished tourists.

Unfortunately, I cannot convey in the language of literature all the beauties that met in the gardens. There is also no opportunity to go into detail about the entire tour because I was very busy staring at the surrounding landscapes and trying to capture them as fully as possible with my camera. In addition, the guide of our group was broadcasting rather monotonously, and somewhere in the middle of the tour I simply stopped perceiving what she was saying.

But even without informational support, everything was clear: before us appeared the second, secret, hidden from prying eyes, the life of the Vatican. And to anyone who is planning a visit within this tiny state, I advise you to definitely visit the Vatican Gardens ...

Peace and serenity reign in the gardens of the Vatican. And, it would seem, this is one of the few places where nature and man live in harmony. What a pity that this is observed less and less today ... Oh, it would be nice if at the end of the tour the Pope himself gave instructions!

The Vatican in Rome is a unique "state within a state", the residence of the Pope and the center of the entire Catholic world. In addition, it is also a real cultural treasury, full of architectural, sculptural and pictorial values, an amazing historical monument, and for Christians - the focus of the most important Christian relics. And although all this is located on a piece of land with an area of ​​​​only 44 hectares, sometimes you need to visit Rome, the Vatican several times to see all the beauties of this tiny state.

What is the best way to plan a visit to the Vatican? Given the incredible wealth of museum collections, the vast size of St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, and the variety of attractions, it makes sense to plan a visit to the Vatican on your own. This will give you a wonderful opportunity to proceed from your own interests and opportunities. Standard tours, as a rule, allow you to walk "over the tops" and "run through" the most famous places in the Vatican. But only independent travel allows you to consider what is interesting for you, to explore places at your pace and in accordance with your preferences. We will figure out how to visit the Vatican on your own and get the most out of it.

How to choose a time to visit

Despite the modest size of the Vatican, huge queues of tourists and believers from all over the world flock to it every day. In order to save energy, have time to see more and at the same time not push in the crowd, it is best to go to the Vatican in the morning, while you are full of energy and before it is filled with tourist groups. St. Peter's Basilica is open from 7 am, the Vatican Museums - from 9.00.

According to the observations of many travelers, the most crowd-free days are Tuesday and Thursday. The busiest day is Wednesday, as the Pope speaks in St. Peter's Square on Wednesdays. Sunday in the Vatican is quite free, but only because all the museums are closed.

The season also affects the number of visitors to the Vatican. January and February are the best months for those who appreciate art and want to enjoy it to the fullest, at a relatively relaxed pace and without ending up in the incredibly dense crowds concentrating in the Sistine Chapel.

On the last Sunday of the month, admission to the Vatican Museums is free. Many tourists are tempted to this, however, the incredible congestion of the Vatican with the number of visitors these days can spoil the impression and bring nothing but fatigue.

It should also be remembered that in some cases the Vatican is completely closed to tourists - this is due to events and visits of high-ranking guests.

Opening hours of St. Peter's Basilica: from October 1 to March 31 - 7.00-18.30 (closed on January 1 and 6); from April 1 to September 30 - 7.00-19.00.

Opening hours of the Vatican Museums: from Monday to Saturday - 9.00-18.00 (entrance and ticket office - until 16.00). From May 6 to July 29 and from September 2 to October 28, the museums are also open on Friday nights (19.00-23.00, admission until 21.30). Closed on Sundays, except for the last Sunday of the month (from 9.00 to 12.30 admission is free!)

How to plan your visit to the Vatican

Two places in the Vatican attract especially many tourists. And each of them is distinguished by its gigantic size and abundance of attractions. This Saint Paul's Cathedral And . Each of these places has a separate entrance (to the Museums - paid, to the Cathedral - free). When planning your visit, keep in mind that just exploring the museum collections can take a whole day! And this despite the fact that only a small part of the treasury of world art is put on display for tourists in museums - some halls are closed to the public. As well as that part of the Vatican where the Pope and the administrative bodies of the Catholic Church live and go about their business.

Is it worth visiting both the cathedral and the Vatican Museums on the same day? It depends on your interests and physical abilities. If you are planning a careful study of the richest collection of Museums, we recommend that you schedule a visit to them on a separate day. Even a simple walk through the grounds of the vast Vatican Museum complex can be tiring, and if you linger in each of the halls to view the exhibits, then the visit will definitely be lengthy. Will there be any strength left to inspect the cathedral after this? It's very individual. And the Cathedral of St. Peter deserves a separate careful study.

Only the entrance to the Vatican Museums is paid. There is no fee to visit St. Peter's Basilica, it is available to those who wish throughout the day (except when the entire Vatican is completely closed). Thus, you can save energy by breaking the visit to the Vatican into two parts, one of which will be completely devoted to visiting the museum complex, and the second - visiting St. Peter's Basilica and the adjacent square.

If you don't have much time in Rome and you want to do as much as possible in short term, then you can visit both the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica at the same time. But in this case, determine in advance what exactly you want to see in the Museums in order to immediately rush to the halls of interest to you. Otherwise, you risk staying there for a long time.

If the standard program is not enough for you, but time allows, you can also order an additional excursion to Vatican Gardens (Giardini Vaticani) – « green heart» a tiny state. Beautiful sculptures, historical fountains, rare plants, magnificent landscape design make this park area, which occupies more than 20 hectares, a pleasant island of nature and art. A visit to the Vatican Gardens is only possible with an organized tour, which must be booked in advance.

One of the most inaccessible, but interesting places in the Vatican - ancient necropolis, located under the Cathedral of St. Peter, under the Grottoes of the Vatican, at the floor level of the oldest basilica, built in the 4th century. The ancient frescoes of the early Christian period have been preserved in the necropolis. And the main shrine and value of these "Vatican dungeons" is Tomb of Saint Peter the Apostle. It was over it that the basilica was once built, it is the resting place of the apostle that is the spiritual center of the Vatican, it is over this tomb that the main altar of the cathedral is installed. To get to the tomb of St. Peter and the ancient Roman necropolis, you need a special advance booking.

How to get to the Vatican on your own

As an enclave state, the Vatican is located on the territory of Rome, the Italian capital. And despite the formal status of the city-state, the border between Italy and the Vatican is very conditional and crosses freely.

Getting to the Vatican is convenient by metro. If you plan to start your visit to the Vatican from St. Peter's Basilica, the nearest station is Ottaviano–San Pietro. From the subway exit to the Vatican - 7-10 minutes walk. If you first visit the Vatican Museums, then get to the metro station Cipro. From there you will quickly reach the entrance to the museum complex. In order not to get lost, use the offline map in ours.

Tickets to the Vatican

For entry to Saint Paul's Cathedral There is no charge, as is the entrance to the magnificent square in front of it. But to climb the dome of the cathedral, you need to purchase a ticket (if it includes an elevator ride, it costs a little more than usual).

visit Vatican Museums paid. You can pay only the entrance and explore the museum treasures on your own, or you can order a tour or take a museum audio guide (in the Vatican Museums it is issued with special equipment, which is handed over at the exit). The official audio guide at the Vatican Museums is available in Russian.

ADVICE. The official audio guide will “take you through” all the halls, telling you in detail about the exhibits, but this may be fraught with the fact that by the end of the route you will be completely exhausted. But the famous Sistine Chapel is located exactly at the end of the route! Therefore, consider the size of the museum, your interests and time frame. Perhaps it makes sense to skip individual rooms so as not to miss the main thing. After all, if you linger in each of the halls, even a day may not be enough to visit the museum!

As a rule, there is a long queue in front of the entrance to the Vatican Museums. Depending on the season, day of the week and time of day, it can be just long or incredibly long. Wasting valuable time in Rome waiting in line is a crime. And avoiding a long wait is very simple - book tickets to the Vatican Museums online. The entrance to the museum is divided into two streams - a huge line stands at the museum's ticket office and consists of tourists who do not have tickets. And for those who have a printout with online booking, there is a special queue that is not large (and sometimes it does not exist at all) and moves very quickly. If you speak English, the most economical and convenient option– book tickets on the official website of the Vatican.

The Vatican on your own: what to consider when visiting

When visiting St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican, it should be borne in mind that this is a temple that is a shrine for millions of people. Therefore, here, as in other basilicas, there is dress code- knees and shoulders should be covered. You should not go to the Vatican Museums in shorts and miniskirts.

It is important to choose light and comfortable shoes because you will be on your feet all day. And if you decide to climb the dome, you will also have to climb spiral staircase.

The Vatican takes matters seriously security. You should not take large bags, backpacks, cane umbrellas or long tripods with you to the Vatican Museums - all this will have to be left in the storage room. It is better to go to the Vatican light - this will not only simplify the verification procedure, but will save energy, which will require a lot.

Take a bottle with you water. You will surely spend a lot of time in the Vatican, and it will come in handy for you. Especially in the vast territory of St. Peter's Basilica, where there are no shops. The Vatican Museums have a cafe, but consider the incredible flow of people - it's rare to find an empty seat there.

Accepted in the Vatican Euro. At the same time, those coins minted by the Vatican (each country in the Eurozone produces coins with its own symbols on one of the sides) are themselves a souvenir and are valued by collectors.

At the Vatican cards do not workRoma Pass.

Vatican Museums: what to look for

Numerous exhibits in the halls of the Vatican Museums cover a huge historical period. Antiquity, Renaissance, Baroque and even modern religious art are presented here in all their fullness and splendor. Collections of outstanding works of art have been collected over the centuries. Even if you choose the most auspicious time to visit the Vatican and prepare well, it is likely that you will not have time to properly explore all 54 rooms available to the general public.

The halls in the Vatican Museums are arranged in such a way that visitors consistently walk all the way through numerous collections of the most valuable works of art to one of the most desirable places - the Sistine Chapel. You won’t be able to get into the most famous chapel in the world right away - you must go through many other museum halls before it.

So, what should you pay special attention to? Everyone has their own tastes and interests, we will highlight only the most famous and popular halls.

Vatican Pinacoteca (Pinacoteca Vaticana)

The Vatican Pinakothek is definitely worth paying special attention to. The Pinakothek was founded in the second half of the 18th century. Here are collected amazing paintings on religious themes. These are mainly works by Italian masters: Giotto, Beato Angelico, Melozzo da Forli, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Caravaggio, Guido Reni, Titian. Among the gems of the Pinakothek's collection are the triptych "Stefaneschi" by Giotto; "Madonna and Child with Saints" and "Resurrection" by Perugino; "Madonna di Foligno", "Transfiguration", "Coronation of Mary" by Raphael; "Saint Jerome" by Leonardo da Vinci; "The Entombment" by Caravaggio; "The Wedding of Our Lady" Lippi and other masterpieces.

Ancient art (ancient, Egyptian, Etruscan)

Among the halls dedicated to ancient art, it is worth highlighting Pia Clement Museum (Museo Pio-Clementino), which houses the famous sculptural group "Laocoon and Sons" and a huge variety of other works of Greek and Roman classical art. Also antique works of art can be seen in Candelabra Gallery (Galleria delle Candelabri), Museum of Chiaramonti.

If you are interested in history and culture ancient egypt, a large collection of Egyptian antiquities, including mummies, you will find in Gregorian Egyptian Museum (Museo Gregoriano Egizio). A Gregorian Etruscan Museum (Museo Gregoriano Etrusco) will introduce you to the ancient culture of the Etruscans, which had a huge impact on the culture of Ancient Rome.

Early Christian art is represented in Museum of Pio-Cristiano (Museo Pio-Cristiano)- here you will see works of art from the Roman catacombs, sarcophagi, reliefs, tombstones.

Tapestries and vintage maps

In the luxurious upper galleries you can see many rare works of art. For example, in Gallery Arazzi (Galleria degli Arazzi) magnificent old tapestries are kept, made according to the sketches of Rafael Santi by his students. A Gallery of Geographic Maps (Galleria delle Carte Geografiche) stores almost fifty old maps of various localities.

Paintings by Pinturicho in the Borgia Apartments

Borgia Apartments (Appartamento Borgia), former personal residence of Pope Alexander VI Borgia at the end of the 15th century, they are distinguished by a magnificent interior. The famous painter Bernardino Pinturicchio also worked on it.

Stanzas of Raphael (Stanze di Raffaello)

Of the most "delicious" that the Vatican Museums can show, it is also worth noting the famous "Raphael's stanzas". The stanzas are the living rooms of Pope Julius II, the painting of which at one time was entrusted to the young Raphael. It is hard to believe that the once great genius was, in fact, engaged in the interior design of residential premises. Raphael himself painted 3 stanzas, and the fourth was designed by his students according to his sketches after the death of the artist.

The Sistine Chapel (Capella Sistina)

The Sistine Chapel is perhaps the most famous landmark of the Vatican, with which only St. Peter's Basilica can "compete". The name of the chapel is associated with the name of Pope Sixtus V, who ordered the construction of the chapel, which served as a house church. The chapel is famous, first of all, for its murals, in which the genius of Michelangelo was so clearly manifested. The ceiling painting, which is a whole cycle of frescoes on biblical subjects, as well as the painting of the altar wall, illustrating the Last Judgment, makes a special impression on visitors. In addition, such masters of the Renaissance as Botticelli, Ghirlandaio and Perugino worked on the design of the chapel.

The Sistine Chapel is not only a monument of the Renaissance, but also a religious building. It is in it that conclaves are held - meetings of cardinals for the election of the Pope.

ADVICE. The Sistine Chapel is located almost at the very end of the path through the numerous halls of the museum complex. For this reason, many visitors enter the chapel already very tired. Add to this the incredible crowd density in the chapel (especially during the summer season) and we get what many tourists call a disappointment. After all, being exhausted, it is very difficult to appreciate the ingenious paintings. Therefore, we recommend that you prioritize and calculate your strength in order to perceive art, and not think about tired legs.

Keep in mind that taking photos in the Sistine Chapel is strictly prohibited, as is speaking loudly.

Exit from the museum complex

There are two ways to leave the Sistine Chapel - through the main exit, which leads to the famous Michelangelo spiral staircase, and through the side door, which is intended for the exit of tourist groups and guides. Using the general exit, you will find yourself in several more museum halls, and after you will be waiting for the dressing room and the official exit from the museum.

If you understand that you have no strength left at all, or if you want to get into St. Peter's Cathedral quickly and without a queue, then you can go for a trick and try to use a little "cheat" by leaving the chapel through the side door on the right, which is almost always open. This is not quite according to the rules, but usually no one interferes with this - participants in group excursions come out the door, and you may well pass for one of them. Once out the door, you can quickly and without queues get into St. Peter's Basilica.

ATTENTION. It is worth using the “service” door only if you did not leave things in the wardrobe and did not take an audio guide at the entrance to the museum. Keep in mind that if you go through the passage to St. Peter's Cathedral, then you will no longer have a way back to the museum complex.

Anyone who wants to learn more about the structure of the Vatican wants to visit the Vatican Gardens, look at St. Peter's Basilica from an unusual angle and visit where the cardinals and even the Pope himself stroll. The Vatican Gardens are never crowded , since a small number of people are allowed into them at strictly defined hours.

Your eyes will see fountains, sculptures, grottoes, winding paths, a unique collection of plants, a heliport, a railway station, a radio station, as well as from a variety of angles - the dome of St. Peter's Cathedral, as if floating in the air. Plan your visit with us and you will see what most tourists can't!

There are 2 options for an excursion to the Vatican Gardens:

✅group walking tour of the Vatican gardens. The duration of the tour is 2 hours, the tour always takes place at 08.45 am once a week.

✅ride through the gardens on a panoramic electric minibus (maximum capacity 28 people). You will enjoy the beauty of the Vatican Gardens in comfort, and the trip will be completely stress-free. The price includes an audio guide (there is a Russian language). The duration of the trip is 45 minutes (without the possibility of getting off the mini-bus). Children under 6 years of age are not allowed on the minibus tour.

Departure: 8:15, 9:15, 9:45, 10:15, 12:15, 12:45. The tour takes place every day during the opening hours of the museums. After a tour of the gardens, you will go to excursion to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica . You can read more about how the tour will take place.

Excursion to the gardens of the Vatican with a visit to museums. Cost and conditions

• Guided tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica licensed guide of the Vatican and the Holy See. The tour is in Russian
• Group walking tour 2 hours / 33 euros for adults, 24 euros for children, or tour by mini-bus 45 minutes / 37 euros for adults, 23 euros for children + private tour of the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica 3 hours / 170 euros, 4 hours / 210 euros
• Tour by minibus runs every working day of the Vatican Museums (excluding holidays and weekends), a group walking tour runs once a week on Saturdays
• Note: visiting the Vatican Gardens, museums and St. Peter's requires a dress code (shoulders must be covered, trousers or skirts below the knees). It is also forbidden to use selfie sticks.
• If you are visiting the Vatican Museums with children aged 6-7 and 16-18, do not forget to take the document certifying the child's age
• Explore visits to the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica