Greece - The monasteries of Meteora
Foto: St. Peterâs Square in Vatican City (bron: Ronald van der Veer)
Vatican City - Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world. However, its territory is entirely surrounded by the city of Rome, making it an enclave within Italy. Internationally, Vatican City is represented by the Holy See and houses the central authority of the Roman Catholic Church. The head of state is the Pope, who resides in the Apostolic Palace. The current pope is Benedict XVI. The microstate was established in 1929 and is seen as a continuation or revival of the former Papal States. Vatican City is not a member of the European Union but does participate in several international organizations. It has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. For centuries, the Pope ruled over a large part of Central and Eastern Italy as the Papal States, including the region of Lazio where Rome is located. In 1866, republican troops under Garibaldi conquered two-thirds of the Papal States, but Latium remained under papal control thanks to support from French Emperor Napoleon III.
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Saint Peters Basilica
Vatican City - St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the most impressive and famous basilicas in the world, located in Vatican City. The basilica is known for its magnificent architecture, influenced by leading architects such as Michelangelo, Donato Bramante, Carlo Maderno, ...
The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel
Vatican City - The Vatican Museum is one of the world's largest and most impressive art collections and museums, located in Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world and the home of the Pope. The Vatican Museum houses an extensive collection of artworks ...