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Exploring Vatican City

What the Vatican City lacked for rich natural resources, it compensated for its extensive collection of literary and art treasures. The city-state is popularly known for being the center of Catholic faith. This forty-four hectare walled property is the papal residence whose sovereign territory is led by the Pope himself. In fact, this city has a unique system of government in which the head of the Catholic Church is also the sovereign of the city-state. He holds principal executive, judicial and legislative power by virtue of his position as Pope. In a sense, this type of government is considered monarchial albeit a non-hereditary type.

Culture

The culture in the Vatican City is reflected on the traditions and beliefs of the Roman Catholic faith. Each structure, painting, literature and sculpture found within the walls of the city-state exudes the beliefs upheld by the religion. Each building within the Vatican houses some of the most popular artworks in the world. Masterpieces by renowned artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael and Michelangelo are included in the city’s extensive collection.

Every corner of the city-state has substantial cultural significance. The architectural designs, the materials and the general appearance of the whole place have colorful stories to tell each traveler. The Vatican receives millions of tourists each year mainly because of these interesting pieces that have survived through the centuries. The Vatican Library in itself is a holding place for some of the most sought-after pieces of literature in the world.

In fiction

Vatican City has figured in numerous fictional novels since time immemorial. It has been one of the favorite settings for various genres of fiction. Dan Brown’s Angels and Demons, a novel that is just as controversial as the Da Vinci Code, is set in within the walls of this interesting city. One gets to learn more about the Vatican by just reading pieces of literature such as this but if you want to experience the real thing, you’ll have to fly over and see for yourself what exactly you’ve been reading about.

Attractions

You’ll never run out of things to see during your visit to the Vatican City. For some tourists, even if you explore the place several times, there’s still bound to be something new to discover. Aside from its extensive collection of works of art, the city-state has been attracting tourists for decades due to the many religious festivals and ceremonies happening in the place all year round.

Because of its great cultural significance, Vatican City itself was listed as part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. In fact, it’s the only site that consists of a whole state – a proof that each nook and cranny of the Vatican is in itself a valuable representation of the city’s and the Catholic community’s culture.

The best time to go visit the Vatican City is during major religious celebrations such as Easter and Christmas. These religious feasts have always attracted a large attendance rate. In fact, Holy Mass celebrated during these times is always composed of large crowds.

Hotels in Vatican