Facts About Vatican City

A trip to the Vatican City can be exciting, enlightening, soul searching, and the experience of a lifetime! For most travelers, it is much more than a spiritual odyssey, owing to the lavish abundance of art and architecture that will greet you once you enter the smallest country in the world. Museums, sculptures, frescoes and the Sistine Chapel mesmerize you in this land, blessed by the Pope's presence. So before you embark on your journey to the country which houses the Holy See, here are the top 10 facts that most travel articles won't tell you about the papal kingdom.

• The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world both area and population wise. It has an approximate population of 842. Unlike the other countries of the world where if one is born of parents who are citizens of that country one becomes a citizen of it, you can only be made a citizen of the Vatican by appointment to work in the city-state.

The Vatican City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the only country in the world where the area of its world heritage site is greater than the size of the country.

• The Vatican City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the only country in the world where the area of its world heritage site is greater than the size of the country.

• The Vatican has long issued its own currency, in past it was the Lira but since the advent of the Euro zone, it took on the Euro and mints its own coins embossed with the Pope's head. They don't issue notes and only very few coins, so if you manage to find one, don't lose it. It is always advisable to carry extra cash when travelling to a new place. So you can get Euro's from BuyForex.com. They offer one of the best rates and you can get it delivered to your home. ATM users in Vatican City are still given the option to use Latin to perform transactions. The Vatican Bank is the only one in the world to do so.

There is still monarchy in Vatican City though it is not hereditary and is ruled by whoever becomes the Bishop of Rome.

• There is still monarchy in Vatican City though it is not hereditary and is ruled by whoever becomes the Bishop of Rome that is the Pope who is elected. In the grottoes, beneath the basilica, is a papal burial chamber. The tombs of many popes, including St. Peter (the first pope), are located here.

• The city has its own telephone system, post office, gardens, astronomical observatory, radio station, banking system, and pharmacy, as well as a contingent of Swiss Guards responsible for the personal safety of the pope.

• In order to qualify as member of the Pontifical Swiss Guard, the personal bodyguard of the Pope, the basic requirements is that you must be a Catholic, unmarried male with Swiss citizenship who has completed his basic Swiss Army training and be at least 5 feet 9 inches tall.

The Papal Audience is held every Wednesday morning, during which the Pope addresses the public in multiple languages and concludes with the Papal Blessing.

• The Papal Audience is held every Wednesday morning, during which the Pope addresses the public in multiple languages and concludes with the Papal Blessing or Apostolic Blessing of people and objects held up by members of the crowd.

• The Vatican City and the Philippines are the only two nations that do not have divorce laws. They only follow the law of annulment of marriages.

Already feeling intrigued to explore everything for yourself? Then gear up for a fun and educational vacation in the Vatican City, and experience the wonder of intoxicating faith and universal love. Just You Along with getting the best exchange rates with BuyForex.com, you can also get in touch with us to learn more about different travel insurance plans, and pick the one that suits your needs the best!

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Facts about the Vatican
10 facts about Vatican City
Vatican City Wiki