Things that you never knew about Vatican
Vatican is one of the most visited places from Italy. The city is considered a Mecca of Christians, and works of art that has fascinated the world. Even though it is downtown Rome, Vatican is an independent who has achieved sovereignty in 1929 by Lateran Treaty.
Here are 16 facts about the Vatican!
1. The official name of Vatican is Stato della Citta del Vaticano.
2. Vatican has an area of 44 hectares and a population of 812 persons.
3. Vatican has its own phone network, a bank, an observatory and a radio.
4. St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican center, was built in the 4th century and was restored in the 16th century.
5. From the six entries, three of them can be used by the public.
6. Vatican import food, water, electricity and gas from the Italians.
7. The Pope, cardinals and members of the guards have all passports issued by Vatican institutions.
8. The Vatican is on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
9. Is said that to visit the Vatican Museum, you need four years, if you spend an average of 1 minute to admire every work of art.
10. Loggia of the Benediction is the name of the balcony where the Pope addresses to the public.
11. Languages spoken by population of Vatican is Latin, Italian, French and English. Here is a general literacy rate of 100%.
12. Autocracy form of government is Vatican. Here, the Pope has complete power. However, he is assisted by “Curia“, a form of government body.
13. Vatican bank is the only in the world that uses Latin language in operations and transactions.
14. Current military force of Vatican is represented by Pontifical Swiss Guard, which initially served as a personal body guard of the Pope.
Vatican is one of the largest cultural centers in the world, owning many highly valuable works of art. St. Peter’s Basilica, Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museum are goals that no tourist should not miss them.