Preparing for a trip to the Vatican - tips for tourists. What to buy in the Vatican. How to dress in the main cathedral of the Vatican

The Vatican is a unique state, small in area, but incredibly significant in content. The smallest country on earth is in the heart the Italian capital. For most tourists visiting Rome, the Vatican, whose sights are among the priceless artistic heritage of mankind, becomes an object day trip. Meanwhile, hundreds of Catholics from different countries come to Italy specifically to listen to a sermon and receive the blessing of the Pope.

Visa to the Vatican and where to get permission to enter

The dwarf enclave state is surrounded by a defensive wall along which the border runs. The wall protects the Vatican from illegal entry. Tourists and pilgrims enter the city through the gates leading to museums, or through the oval square in front of St. Peter's Cathedral.

In places where there is no wall, the border is drawn with a white line on the sidewalk.

In order to get the right to enter the Vatican, take walks around the territory, take photos, shoot videos, see the sights, an Italian Schengen visa is enough. Documents are subject to verification upon entry into Italian territory.

An organized tour during which tourists visit the museums and gardens of the Vatican, climb observation deck Peter's Basilica, passes without customs checks. In the same way, an excursion to the Vatican itself is not connected with any border formalities, except for control appearance. Guests are free to cross the borders, however, they must have their passports with them, as documents can be checked at any time.

At the entrance to museums, personal belongings are tactfully inspected, backpacks are offered to be left in the storage room.

Some tourists really want to have a visa in their passport as a keepsake of the voyage, but only officials are marked for visiting the Vatican. Travelers, on the other hand, are usually content to keep tickets, buy bright booklets, where the Vatican, sights, photos and descriptions are present in all details.

In addition, you can send a postcard or a letter from the post office to anywhere in the world. The return address will indicate that you really were in the center of Christianity.

How to get to the Vatican from Rome airport

The Vatican, located in the northwestern part of Rome and surrounded on all sides by city streets, is easiest to reach by public transport. If the purpose of your visit to Italy is exclusively the Vatican Museums or a tour of the holy places, then from international airport Leonardo da Vinci, you immediately go to Piazza San Pietro.

There are many options for how to get from Rome airport to the Vatican by rail, road transport and on the subway.

For those who booked a transfer in advance, the question of how to get from Rome airport to the hotel and to any other point, including the Vatican, has already been resolved.

Another not the cheapest, but comfortable option is a Rome taxi from the airport to your destination.

The train (Leonardo Express) from L "aeroporto di Roma Fiumicino departs every half hour from six in the morning until half past eleven at night. After 30 minutes, passengers arrive at railway station TERMINI, transfer to buses, go down to the subway, go to their hotels and excursions.

Sometimes charter flights arrive at Aeroporto di Roma-Ciampino. Tourists should know how to get to the Vatican from Ciampino Airport.

TO central station Termini will take the bus, and then - again by bus or metro.

How to get to the Vatican without traffic

Simple and convenient transport for a Russian tourist who does not speak too well foreign languages, - Roman metro. Tickets are sold at the stations, the map makes it easy to navigate, the main thing is to know the station where you should get off.

To understand how to get to the Vatican, it is advisable to have a map of Rome in your hands, take the metro to the Cipro-Musei Vaticani station on the red line and walk a few meters to the entrance to the museums.

Another option is to get off the metro at Ottavio S.Pietro and proceed to the Vatican from the side of the oval square, in this case the first object of the tour will be St. Peter's Basilica.

How to get from Rome to the Vatican on foot

The airports of the capital of Italy, for environmental reasons, are moved outside the city limits, which is why the Vatican and its sights fall into the field of view of the tourist only an hour after arrival. However, most tourists devote Eternal city not one or two days.

Stunning Vatican Museums, a tour of the gardens and an ascent to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica are just a small part of the beauties and wonders that Rome gives. Visitors need information on how to get to the Vatican not only from the airport, but also from other areas of the city, by transport and on foot.

For example, there are three reasonable ways to get from the Colosseum to the Vatican by public transport: metro, bus and a walk of about 3 km. Rome distracts the attention of a tourist heading to the Vatican, photos, sights and cozy cafes somewhat “lengthen the path”. Having correctly built the route, you will see the Forum Romanum, and the Capitol, and Piazza Navona.

After you enter the Vatican, public transport you will not need it: the area of the state is small, the tour of the Vatican is so exciting that no video can convey the sensations of a person walking in the Holy Land. At the same time, do not forget to keep an eye on personal belongings, because pickpockets willingly visit Rome in general and the Vatican in particular, and their goal is not sights at all, but the bags of careless honest citizens.

What to bring and how to dress for tourists in the Vatican

Everyone decides for himself how to get to the Vatican with the greatest comfort. Motorists will have to leave the transport on Italian territory for the duration of the excursion to the Vatican. You have to walk around the country with an area of only 0.44 square meters. km, but you will spend a lot of time on your feet in museums and gardens.

In addition, an excursion to the Vatican without going up to the Basilica Sancti Petri observation deck, as evidenced by the reviews of tourists, loses half of its charm. They climb to the top of the cathedral on foot, and the pleasure costs 5 €. For 7€ you can ride the elevator, but only half way: the remaining 320 steps inside the dome will be overcome only by those who do not suffer from claustrophobia. An indescribable view opens from a height. As if in the palm of your hand you can see not only the Vatican, but also Rome, if you wish, you can see many sights, take a photo and describe your impressions.

In order not to be distracted by household trifles, you need comfortable shoes and appropriate clothing. When deciding how to dress, always, even in the heat, one must take into account that the Vatican is primarily the center of Catholicism and only secondly - an excursion object.

Pants are required for men(they won't let you in shorts) women can wear skirts or trousers, the main thing is that the knees, shoulders, chest are closed.

Do not bring drinks, food, knives and other sharp objects, as well as backpacks and bulky bags.

Take the money for the tickets and get ready to listen carefully and keep your eyes peeled.

Attractions of the Vatican

Almost all tours with a visit to Rome certainly include an excursion to the Vatican, the reviews of tourists confirm how true this is. It is worth traveling hundreds of kilometers in order to get acquainted with the works of antiquity and the Renaissance.

A lot of interesting things await the tourist in the center of Rome and on the island of Tiberina, in the evening you can walk along picturesque quarter Trastevere, but in the morning, set aside at least half a day for the Vatican, excursions and buying souvenirs.

Tourists who go as part of a group to the Vatican, rest and lunch should be postponed until a later time. Get ready for a fast pace, as there is a lot to do in 3-4 hours. IN standard route includes a visit to St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Pinacothek, the papal apartments, painted by Raphael, the modern art gallery and other rooms filled with masterpieces of the past. Behind separate fee usually offered a guided tour of the "Gardens of the Vatican" lasting about two hours.

An interesting excursion to the Vatican can take place not only as part of a group: many connoisseurs prefer to admire the expositions on their own. For those who do not know how to get to the Vatican Museums and Gardens, the map will tell you.

Entrance tickets to the Vatican can be purchased by standing in a long queue, or ordered in advance on the website, come with a printed voucher and redeem at a separate box office (the service costs ~4€).

If you manage to find an audio guide in Russian, a full-fledged tour of the Vatican will come out, video and photography of all permitted objects without time limits is available to individual visitors (in many halls, filming is prohibited).

On the last Sunday of the month, museums are free to enter. Of course, the lines are longer these days.

Wedding in the Vatican, price and procedure for the ceremonies

Head Sermon catholic church is intended for all Christians and is available to everyone. Every Sunday at noon, the pontiff addresses the faithful from the window of his office, ending his speech with a prayer. For a blessing, people from different countries come to Piazza San Pietro.

Believers who cannot come in person turn to the Pope with messages, and not a single letter remains unanswered.

Catholic weddings in Rome are popular, ceremonies are held, as a rule, not in the Vatican, but in churches located on Italian territory, the price is determined by demand, and there are many who want to. For their money, couples entering family life get a wedding in a church overlooking the Vatican, a vacation in one of the most beautiful cities peace and precious memories.

Best hotels near the Vatican in Rome

honeymoon in one of European cities always full of romance. Frivolous Paris excites the senses, Prague enchants, and old Rome seems to embrace guests and share its wisdom.

Italian Honeymoon is the perfect choice. At any time of the year, Italy, the Vatican, the sights of Rome are worth the attention of tourists. Since the problem of how to get from Rome to the Vatican is easily solved, the newlyweds have a chance to plunge into the whirlpool of impressions, replenish their knowledge base and enrich their inner world. There are excellent hotels near the Vatican, however, any accommodation in Rome will not be an obstacle to active pastime.

The capital of Italy is a metropolis, you can walk around Rome endlessly, each time discovering something new. For example, in the morning you own experience learn how to get from the Colosseum to the Vatican across the Tiber, and spend the evening in one of the restaurants, clubs or just stroll through the park, enjoying wonderful Roman ice cream. One day can be devoted to shopping, but the other is sure to spend in the Vatican Museums.

What to buy in the Vatican

The eternal question that torments tourists who are already ready to leave the Vatican: what to buy as a keepsake, what relics to bring home. Museum shops throughout the country, as well as near the border, abound with Christian souvenirs. A cross, an amulet, a pendant with the image of an angel are souvenirs that are worn on the body. Such things are acquired both for themselves and as an expensive gift of a religious orientation.

If your friend is fond of philately and numismatics, and you came to the Vatican without him, the question of what to buy as a gift is solved instantly: stamps and coins unique country become the most valuable exhibits in his collection. In general, guests take away the most expensive souvenirs from the Vatican in their hearts.

When is the best time to visit the Vatican, climate and events

The climate in the Vatican is exactly the same as in Rome: hot summers, mild but rainy winters, comfortable autumns, wonderful springs.

In summer, there are usually a lot of tourists, long queues to museums. On religious holidays (Palm Sunday, Easter, Christmas) masses are held. Thousands of believers come specially to listen to the Pope's festive messages.

If your goal is tourism, then it is better to choose days when there are no religious holidays.

The Vatican is a country with a population of less than a thousand people. State language Vatican is "dead" Latin. The country's army - the smallest in the world - consists of hundreds of Swiss guards. Artistic, architectural and park masterpieces, for which crowds of people flock to the Vatican, are priceless.

The smallest state in the world never ceases to amaze, and therefore constantly enjoys the attention of guests from all over the Earth. Come and you will not regret.

Many probably know that the Vatican is the most small state in the world. However, not everyone knows the local rules and regulations, and therefore very often our tourists get into a mess. That is why we decided to prepare tips that will help you avoid all sorts of mishaps during the tour and make your trip comfortable.

When is the best time to go to the Vatican?

Separately, no one goes to the Vatican and a visit to the country is always included in a tour of Rome. If you are planning a trip to the capital of Italy, then we would recommend that you choose a travel date in late spring or early autumn. All because at this time much fewer tourists than in summer, and the temperature is the most comfortable for excursions and you can walk at least all day.

How to get to the Vatican?

There are different ways to get to the Vatican. You can take the subway, bus or even walk.

Buses 40 and 64 run from Rome Termini Station to the Vatican.
If you prefer the metro, then you need to take the line A train to the Ottavio - San Pietro station, which will take you to St. Peter's Basilica, or to the Cipro station, which leads to the Vatican Museums.
Well, of course, if you have time, you can walk to the Vatican on foot. Via Nazionale leads here from Termini Station. Or there is another route - from Piazza Venezia along Via Plebeshchita, Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Via della Concigliazione.

Not one of the Vatican Museums you will not be able to enter if you are not properly dressed. Knees and shoulders must be covered, no one will let you in shorts and a T-shirt.
You can get into any museum only with a guide consisting of excursion group. Be sure to check that the guide has a license.
Before entering, an audio guide is distributed, which is included in the ticket price, do not forget to take it.
In each particular museum, be sure to specify whether you can take pictures or not. For example, in the Sistine Chapel it is strictly prohibited, and in St. Peter's Cathedral it is allowed, but only without a flash.
You can't talk in the Sistine Chapel, even in a whisper.
On a tour of the Vatican, it is better to lay a whole day, and ideally even a few.
The Vatican Museums are not allowed with alcoholic drinks, large umbrellas, suitcases and backpacks.
Every last Sunday of the month and September 27, admission to the Vatican Museums is free.

The Vatican is the smallest sovereign state in the world. It was once part of Rome but declared independence in 1929. The Vatican is the headquarters of the Holy Roman Church with fewer than 1,000 citizens. Inside its walls you will find a huge collection of artistic and religious artifacts and rich traditions. If you want to visit the Vatican and see sights like the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, then you need to plan ahead. The Vatican Museums are in need of refurbishment, and walking around the city can seem confusing at first. Find out how to visit the Vatican.

Steps

Planning for the future

Plan your trip to see the Pope's apartments. This will require advance planning as the Pope only speaks on Wednesdays and Sundays. To receive his blessing on Sunday, you will have to arrive there well before noon to borrow a good place and see him in a crowded square.

You can book tickets to see it on Wednesday if you come between September and July. Go to vatican.va to fill out the form. Please fax it to the number on the form.

Find out which attractions in the Vatican are free and which require registration. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel cost about 15 euros ($19, £12), while a visit to the dome of St. Peter's Basilica costs about 6 euros ($6.4, £4.8). The Cathedral and St. Peter's Square are free.
- Passes to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are combined. You cannot buy a ticket to one of these places.
Book your tickets in advance to see the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, especially if you are traveling during religious holidays and during the summer. You won't waste time waiting at the gate. However, you will not be able to receive a discount or student ID in advance unless you tourist group that does it for you.
- Go to the website biglietteriamusei.vatican.va/musei/tickets/do?weblang=en&do to book these tickets.
Book an official guide to tour the Vatican Museums and more. Italy has a very strict rule that only licensed guides allow tours of this area, so be sure to ask for a license before booking. There is a huge wealth of art and information within the walls of the Vatican, so this place is well worth paying a guide.
- Visit mv.vatican.va/3_EN/pages/z-Info/MV_Info_Servizi_Visite.html for a description of the various tours you can choose from. There is a link on the page button where you can book excursions with a group or individual.
Dress appropriately. The Vatican has its own dress code. Make sure your knees and shoulders are covered. Also, some people wear long skirts and shirts as a sign of respect.
- Both men and women will not be allowed to visit unless their shoulders and knees are covered. This means that tops, summer dresses and short shorts will not work. Women can change their outfit by bringing a shawl and tights.
- Italy and the Vatican are very hot in summer and can be rainy in winter. Wear lightweight clothing that dries quickly. This will help you when you need to cover up while traveling.
- Put on walking shoes. Many people spend the whole day on their feet in the Vatican. Prepare to be comfortable in these conditions and when you are standing in line.
Take a small bag. Large bags, backpacks and umbrellas will be checked before entering the Vatican Museums. This can be a lot of trouble if you want to freely enter the walls of the Vatican. Therefore, leave most of your belongings at the hotel.

Be prepared for pickpocketing. For several years, most of the petty thefts were committed in front of Michelangelo's Pieta, in St. Peter's Basilica. Always keep your small bag in front of you with your hand on it.
- Never wear flashy jewelry or a lot of cash. Men's back pocket wallets are especially popular with pickpockets. Buy a money belt and tuck it into your shirt if you want extra security.
Transportation in the Vatican
1. Use the metro to get to the Vatican. You will have to walk a bit if you decide to use this method. The Vatican is located between Ottaviano and Cipro metro stations.
  - If you're heading straight for the Vatican Museums, the Cipro metro station is closer. If you are heading to St. Peter's Basilica, then from the Ottaviano station you will get there faster.
2. Buy a bus route map from the store. There are about 10 routes that pass around the Vatican. The choice of route depends on where you are in Rome.
3. Drive to the north entrance to enter the Vatican Museums. Arrive at the east entrance to enter St. Peter's Basilica. Since the Vatican is surrounded by a wall, the passage from one entrance to another can take about 30 minutes.
  - Get a map of Rome to make sure you're on the right route.
  Vatican Museums
  1. Take your time when visiting the Vatican Museums. While most people know about the Sistine Chapel, there is still a lot to see on your way through the museums towards the chapel.
    - Use the restroom before entering the museums. There will be few places ahead where you can use it during the exploration.
    - Take your camera with you to take pictures in the museums. Taking pictures is not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, but you will be able to take pictures in many other places. You will see special signs on which it will be written where it is allowed to use the flash.
    - Spend more time at the Pinakothek. It is located to the right of the entrance to the escalator. Lots of people avoid this place because it's in opposite side from the Sistine Chapel, but the Italians consider the collection of Raphael, Da Vinci and Caravaggio a real treasure.

Send your friends a ray of light from sunny Italy :)

The rules for visiting the Vatican Museums are established in order to ensure the safety of exhibits, safety, maintaining order and cleanliness. Tourists should also follow "standards of decency"- that is, dress and behave appropriately. It is better to familiarize yourself with the rules of visiting in advance, which will allow you to plan sightseeing vacation the best way.

Dress code (common for visiting museums and the cathedral)

Knees and shoulders should be covered, clothing should be without necklines and cutouts on the legs
T-shirts, shorts, miniskirts are not allowed ( beach view clothes). IN summer time ladies can take a light shawl or scarf with them to cover their shoulders, men should be strictly in pants
Hats not allowed

Bags, backpacks, suitcases, umbrellas

Before entering museums, visitors must leave backpacks, suitcases, packages, umbrellas, tripods and other oversized luggage in the cloakroom. allowable dimensions(40*35*15cm)
Wardrobe service is provided free of charge

Safety requirements

It is forbidden to carry: knives, scissors,any type of firearm
The use of laser pointers is prohibited
Smoking is prohibited throughout the museums (including electronic cigarettes)
For security reasons, there is no Wi-Fi on the territory of the museums
No pets allowed except guide dogs for blind or partially sighted visitors
All visitors are screened by a metal detector
It is forbidden to bring alcohol and food into the territory of the museums (they can be left in the cloakroom, but if not picked up at the end of the day, they will be disposed of). Museums, however, have several snack machines and a cafeteria where you can have breakfast or lunch.
It is forbidden to touch objects of art
The use of drones, including for photo and video shooting, is prohibited (this will be regarded as a violation airspace Vatican)
The territory of the museums is under video surveillance and equipped with a burglar alarm.

Documents required to visit the Vatican Museums

If you have pre-purchased a ticket for official website , prepare a printout or save it to your smartphone. E-ticket- this is not a full ticket yet, but rather a voucher that needs to be exchanged at a separate box office Cassa online e gruppi
The rules of the Vatican state that you must have an identity document with you. In practice, it is rarely asked. For children of borderline age (5-6 years old and 15-18 years old), a document or a scanned copy of it must be taken, as the ticket price depends on age

Photographing in the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica

In museums and the cathedral it is allowed to take pictures for personal use with non-professional photographic equipment and smartphones
The use of tripods is prohibited, any professional photography must be approved by the Vatican Museums
Flash photography is prohibited
It is forbidden to take pictures using a selfie stick
It is forbidden to take photographs or videotape with any type of equipment, including smartphones, in the Sistine Chapel. This is strictly monitored, and if they notice, they will be asked to immediately remove the footage.

Silence rules

Silence rules in the Sistine Chapel
Guides talk about the chapel before entering it. Inside the chapel, as in sacred place, no one, including guides, talks and silently enjoys the surrounding beauty
In the Sistine Chapel, the use of mobile phones. Gadgets must be switched to silent mode throughout the museums and in St. Peter's Basilica

Visiting policy for families with small children

Entrance for children under 6 years old to the Vatican Museums is free
You can enter the museum grounds with a stroller (but you cannot enter St. Peter's Basilica with a stroller)
The museums have special elevators that make it easier for families with children to visit, to which museum staff will guide you
Museums have a room for breastfeeding mothers. In the restaurant area for families with children - special high chairs

Visiting Rules During Mass at St. Peter's Basilica

Peter's Basilica is an active church where services are held. During the papal mass, tours of the cathedral are prohibited. Guides talk about the cathedral from the outside, but inside they just accompany the group

Vatican is the most dwarf state peace. And as in any state, in order to enter the territory, a number of rules must be observed. And since the Vatican is a sovereign state of the Holy See, the residence of the Pope has established its own dress code here, corresponding to religious ideas.

In order to enter the territory of the Vatican, first of all you need a visa, in other matters, as in any state. The Schengen visa is valid here. If you are entering from Italy and have an Italian Schengen visa, then this is quite enough. According to the Schengen Agreement, having an open visa for any country in the Schengen area, you can freely move around the Schengen area.

If you are going to the Vatican directly, so to speak, then you will have to open a Vatican Schengen visa. This can be done in the embassy of the Vatican. A Schengen visa to the Vatican is opened, just like any other visa to the country of the Schengen agreement, with a standard package of documents: passports, international passports, booked hotel, financial security, and of course a completed application form and photographs. The full package of documents must be clarified at the Vatican embassy itself. I described how to apply for a Schengen visa on my own in a four-part article ““.

Also, when passing customs control at the border, do not forget about the existing dress code for this country, because this is the territory of the Holy See. There have already been several cases where employees customs control sent "naked" tourists to the nearest stores to buy clothes in accordance with the rules of the Vatican. On the territory of the Vatican it is forbidden to enter people dressed:

In short shorts and skirts
Bare shoulders
In clothes with an open neckline
In clothes with an open belly
Women must have their heads covered

Previously, such a dress code applied only to, but now it is valid throughout the Vatican. This ban was not very encouraging. local residents who are used to "running" into the Vatican to pharmacies, shops or post offices. Now they need to carry a change of clothes with them or change their usual route.

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