The Travelling Mushroom: Vatican

St. Peter's Basilica

St.Peter's Basilica is an enormous Late Renaissance church which is located in Vatican.
This church was design by four famous artist. They are Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

So, why this church is very special ?
This church is one of the largest churches in the world. Therefore it has known as the most famous Renaissance architecture. If you want you know and learn about renaissance architecture details, you must come and observe this gigantic church.

Secondly, for Catholics people. This church is considered one of the holiest Catholic sites. Hence, many people and tourists describe this church as "the greatest of all churches of Christendom".

Then, the most important thing about this church is the place where St. Peter was buried. Below the altar of this church of the basilica is St.Peter's burial. He is one of twelve apostle of Jesus. He has become a big piece of Christianity history. So this is also becoming one of the reasons why does this church become so famous around the world.

St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican, Vatican

Tips :

If you are planning to visit this church for traveling purposes, I would recommend you to go out from this church before the devotions begin. It gonna be so hard for you to go out from the church and the city after the devotion begins as they gonna close some street access and the situation will be also exacerbated by how crowded this place is.

Secondly, I really don't recommend you to use flash inside the church as it will disturb the others who come to worship. I hope you gonna understand and could respect each other because this is a holy place.

Rating :

Excellent

I love to get extra destination on my itinerary. It isn't far from Rome and offer tourist the to see and feel the most famous Late Renaissance building. Moreover, for Christian people,while you are visiting this church, it's gonna be better if you pray here too.

Swiss Guards

Hey there !
Do you remember when I told you that Vatican have the Swiss guard that in duty to guard the Pope ?
Yes ? No ? *click no to go to the post I wrote before.

Swiss Guard, Vatican, Vatican

Today we gonna talk about Swiss guard separately.
First of all, who is Swiss guard ? They are Swiss Army who work to guard someone or something at foreign European courts since the 15th century. So it is not surprising if you could find Swiss Guards in Vatican.
Nowadays, these Swiss Guards can't be separated with the Vatican city as it has been refereed as the Pontifical Swiss Guard of the Holy See.

Then, where to find them ? They are guarding around the St.Peter's Basilica Church. You could find them easily by going around this church. They should be there to protect this Church from a "troublemaker" because this Church is considered as one of several historical sites. This Church has Michael Angelo's drawings which is be sought by thousands of collectors, a place where is suspected as St.Peter's burial, and still many important histories parts which I can't mention one by one.

The most important thing is why do they are exist in Vatican ?
The story begun since Pope Sixtus IV's era. He made a previous alliance with the Swiss Confederation. As they are alliance Vatican recruit the Swiss Guard due to protect the St. Peter's Basilica and also the Pope. Moreover, Vatican want a guard from a neutral country, and Switzerland is one of them. Vatican need guard from neutral country to avoid political purposes between countries.

Italy - Vatican Border

A sacred, small,strong country which is located near Italy.
Vatican is the smallest country in the world.
When I visited this country I asked my self some questions. One of them was why did the other countries did not attempt to invade this country as sometimes big countries will attempt to overcome the small countries.As soon as I went home, I try to find out why do these country especially Italy that is located near this country didn't invade Vatican?
Aside of the UN (United Nations) presence. In my opinion, they couldn't invade this country because this country is the center of the Catholic religion, so many countries especially countries that predominantly Catholic will protect Vatican.

Actually Vatican have no armed force. However, they have Swiss Guard. The Swiss Guard should guard the Pope. They are being responsible of the Pope's safety. They also should protect Pope's residence which is called Apostolic Place. Yet, I'm not going to talk about the Swiss Guard for today. I'm going to talk about it in the next opportunity. They is still a myriad interesting facts that I'm gonna tell you.

Jumping from Italy to Vatican.
It was only a step to go across this two country. Only a step through the fence and you have go to another country. Behind you is the country that famous for its pasta and in front of you there stand a big church. A church which is crowned as the first church which was built above St.Pete's tomb in 326. The famous church which is called St. Peter's Basilica. These picture below portray how close these two countries. Those two are only limited by a fence.

Italy-Vatican Border

Vatican-Italy Border

Rating :

Good

This country is very unique. Especially how you will go across the border. You will find yourself switching rapidly. From the country that full of fine food which is represent worldly pleasures to a sacred country. You should experience it !