The Vatican has always attracted the attention of people around the world to come and visit it. It is the smallest state in the world. It is located in Italy and it is a true example of astonishing architecture. Covering the area of the modest 49ha, it is pretty small, but its importance is immeasurable. Catholics perceive it as their holy city, which is why religious people want to visit it at least once in their lifetime. If you wish to visit it, you must get yourself familiar with a few main rules. Keep reading to find out more about the things you need to pay attention to.
1. Dress properly
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You should know that when you plan to go to the Vatican, you should be dressed properly. Short skirts and sleeveless shirts are not allowed and any provocative clothes in general. Men are not allowed to go into Saint Peter’s Basilica wearing shorts, so it is necessary to do a small preparation, so you don’t have to worry about causing any problems of that sort. Even though this may be problematic for you during hot days, it is a small price to pay to see the incredible Sistine Chapel ceiling where Michelangelo left the world the masterpiece worth admiring. Just the fact that millions of visitors come to see it tells a lot about its magnificence!
2. Organize everything in advance
Numerous tourists wait in lines to visit the Vatican. This is why it is crucial to book the tours in advance, so you can make the most of the time you have. Simply go online, find the official website of the Vatican, and book the tours you want. A few minutes that you will need to book the tour will save you lots of time later when you actually come to the Vatican.
3. Learn about its history before you go
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There are lots of mysteries connected to the Vatican and lots of interesting things to learn. You will appreciate the things you will see a lot more if you are informed about the background of it all. Did you know that they print their own special stamps and issue license plates and passports? Well, it is a state that functions pretty successfully. St. Peter’s Basilica is located in the city of the dead. In the 18th and 19th century the popes simply refused to go anywhere outside of the Vatican because they didn’t want to be ruled by the Kingdom of Italy.
Benito Mussolini was the one who signed the Lateran Pact which meant that the Vatican can be a sovereign state. The interesting fact is that no one is born within the state and that there are less than 600 citizens in total. Most of the citizens don’t even live in the Vatican. There are so many interesting things to learn, so you should definitely look into it the moment you start making preparations.
4. Get familiar with the photography rules
You will want to take as many pictures as you can, that is expected and we can’t blame you. However, it is necessary to be careful about the rules that different areas of the Vatican have before you actually start taking pictures. It is important to turn off the flash when taking pictures because thousands of pictures taken during the day can significantly damage the artwork, so this is something that you must be truly careful about. Keep in mind that taking photos in the Sistine Chapel is not allowed. Make sure you respect all the rules, otherwise you may get yourself in trouble which may ruin your overall tour.
5. Make sure you see the Pope
Most tourists find the possibility of meeting the pope pretty exciting. Even though you will probably don’t get a chance to talk to him, there is a possibility of waving to him which is equally exciting. The visitors can attend a gathering that gets held on Wednesdays. If you want to get a chance to come, you need to reserve your seat in advance. There is no fee for the seat though, which is pretty great.
6. Plan well the time you have for the visit
Some tourists are so eager to see everything that they organize so many things in advance that very little time is left for pure enjoyment. You should know that sightseeing should not be packed with places to see. Give yourself the opportunity to simply enjoy the fact that you are there, to see all the little details and simply feel the spirit of history. You will feel the special energy of all the people that stood where you are standing now. Make a list of the things that you would like to see and take all the time you need to enjoy the incredible beauty of the Vatican.
7. Make a plan
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This is absolutely necessary so you can truly say you’ve seen everything important to you. Create a list of the places you want to see, book the tickets in advance and make your own plan that you will follow once you get there. Plan the travel time, because even though the Vatican is relatively small, it will still take some time to get from one place to another. Keep in mind that there will probably be crowds, so count that time in as well.
These were the main things you need to pay attention to when you start planning the trip to the Vatican. It is truly worth the visit and you will enjoy it for sure. It is a mesmerizing place to go and with so many nice things to see it is no wonder that millions of tourists visit it daily. We are sure that you will enjoy every second of your visit. If the visit inspires you to keep exploring the world, think about purchasing a real estate somewhere equally exciting. Click Here to explore the options and truly learn more about the world.
