Vatican: A City Within a City

The first time I saw the movie The Passion of the Christ I felt chills all over me and I was starting to get teary-eyed. I knew it was just a movie but I just couldn’t help myself from feeling miserable on the sufferings of Jesus and watching as He died on the cross. This solemn event always makes me realize how lucky I am to have been loved by Him.

Every time the Holy Week rolls up, I always wish to be able to visit places that were relevant to the journey of our Jesus Christ. Places where we can solemnly reflect on ourselves. Among the places that I dreamed of visiting is the small but independent city of Vatican. Here are among the must-visit places of the city:

The Sistine Chapel

A Photo by Sebastian Bergmann of the Creation of Adam

The Sistine Chapel isn’t just known for the grandeur that it has from its facade but also from the opulence within. The famous structure holds some of the finest works of art like the Creation of Adam, the Ancestor of Christ, and the Last Judgment by Michelangelo as well as the Scenes from the Life of Moses and the Temptation of Chris by Sandro Botticelli. Visiting the Sistine Chapel is going to be a life-changing experience.

The Vatican Gardens

Photo by doratagold

The 20-hectare land is considered to be one of Vatican City’s must-visit spots. The garden’s sculptures and fountains are not the only awe-inspiring things you can view from the gardens. Among its magnificent features is the wonderful of one of the city’s eminent structures the Sistine Chapel. You can also get a view of Radio Vatican from the garden.

Photo by Randy OHC (view from the Vatican Gardens)

Saint Peter’s Square

Photo by xiquinhosilva

Situated right before Saint Peter’s Basilica, the Saint Peter Square occupies a large area exhibiting two fountains as well as an Egyptian obelisk.

Photo by ishane

Saint Peter’s Basilica

The Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano (Italian) or Saint Peter’s Basilica is the most adored tourist destination in Vatican City. It is among the four illustrious basilicas in Rome which also includes St Paul outside the Walls, Santa Maria Maggiore, and the Basilica of St John Lateran.

Photo by jimmyharris (view from the Palazzo di Giustizia) 

Image © Google Earth

Vatican Museum (Musei Vaticani)

Photo by Edwin.11

The Musei Vaticani is definitely one of the most inimitable museums around the world and with over 5 million visitors. What’s so exceptional about the Vatican Museums is the art that’s within the walls. Well, the artworks include Leonardo da Vinci’s visual rendering of St Jerome in the Wilderness as well as the Entombment by Caravaggio and several other of his paintings. Not much really eh.

Photo by Francisco Antunes

Photo by  Lukasz dzierzanowski

Vatican Library

Among the oldest libraries, the Vatican Apostolic Library houses more than 1.1 million books and with approximately 75,000 manuscripts that includes the oldest and almost complete manuscript of the Bible – the Codex Vaticanus Graecus 1209. The library, however, has been separated from the Vatican Secret Archives since the early 17^th century.

Photo by Bruce

After giving you hints of what’s in store for you when you visit the Vatican City, my feet are itching to go there. Unfortunately, I still have things to do and I don’t think my cash would be enough. Anyway, I hope I could visit soon.

Have a blessed and meaningful Holy Week everyone!

Source: http://www.touristspots.org/tourist-spots-in-vatican-city/