Vatican City Local Customs

St. Peters in Vatican City

by Beausoleil

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St. Peters in Vatican City
by Beausoleil
Swiss Guard at the Vatican
by Beausoleil
Local Customs
by ECYM
Regular duty, classic pose
by alza
Grand gala dummy sans morion
by alza

Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

Post office

by TinKan

When you buy a post card from the Vatican store you should mail it from the Vatican Post Office that is located in the square near the entrance.We sent one post card last year that took six months to get to California but it did have nude men on it... All the others were quicker than the regular Italian post.FROM THE CIA WORLDFACT BOOK:This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.

Swiss Guards

by keeweechic

Every year on May 6, anniversary of the Sack of Rome, the Swiss Guards renew their vows of allegiance in the Courtyard of San Damaso inside the Vatican. In a colourful ceremony, new recruits kneel down, raise three fingers of their right hand to symbolize the Trinity and swear to serve the Pope 'to the death'..

Sistine Chapel

by keeweechic

In addition to the 'no pictures' policy there is also a strict rule of silence in the Chapel. However there were frequent messages blasted over the PA system in different languages requesting the silence as well as people there to ‘shhhhh’ everyone. This is obviously not my photo..

The world-renowned Swiss...

by imho

The world-renowned Swiss Guards have the distinct honor of being the personal guards of Holy Father. The GUARDIA SVIZZERA corps of Swiss-born soldiers serve as personal escorts to the pontiff and as watchmen for Vatican City and the pontifical villa of Castel-Gandolfo.The guards, who are independent of the Swiss armed forces, are employed by the Roman Catholic church under the leadership of the pope, to whom they swear fealty in a ceremony at Belvedere Court. New recruits must prove that they are of Swiss origin, born in wedlock, Roman Catholic, unmarried, less than 25 years old, and healthy and free of physical deformities. Commanding officers are traditionally of noble lineage. The guards normally wear blue doublets and blue berets, but on ceremonial occasions they don uniforms whose design (c. 1506) is attributed to Michelangelo; the uniforms are one of the oldest types in continuous...

As a lady, I noticed the...

by BlkSnowBunny

As a lady, I noticed the Vatican was very conservative. The aides who walked around monitored the visitors. There were no chairs for fatigued visitors. A friend of mine sat on the floor and the monitor came and made her get up. SO, to make a long story short, wear comfortable shoes and bring your own chair, lol.

Having been to the Vatican...

by balfor

Having been to the Vatican with a bunch of sailors, I had the occasion to discover that while some people are aware of some aspects of history, others are not. The guys in the brightly colored shirts wearing odd looking pants carrying spears aren't meant for high tech security. They are more of a display and to keep wayward tourists in the right places than to provide actual security. Oh, and while the Vatican is a country of its own, it is surrounded by Italy. While many of the people there will speak English, it is considered a common courtesy to at least learn the polite words in Italian. (please, thank you, you're welcome, etc.)<>

Roman churchs are quiet...

by DanielF

Roman churchs are quiet relaxed about the tourists' indumentary. This rule does not apply though to the Vatican. Gentlemen are supposed to wear long trousers and ladies should have their shoulders covered. I do not approve of this rule. I consider much more disrespectful and annoying the excentric clothes and shoes that many tourists wear than someone dressed in their new stylish shorts that perfectly match with shoes and shirt. But since they did not listen to me, you'd rather take your long trousers or your écharpe if you want to stay in awe admiring the colossal interior of Saint Peter's.

Vatican City is full of...

by Katirose

Vatican City is full of tourists and people that it is literally a pilgrammage. I visited in early spring and St. Peter's Square was quite crowded. My purpose was to see the sites there were many others there out of sheer reverance. A true testament to people's faith that demands respect.

Vatican City is the...

by James63

Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Conservative attire inside Vatican buildings is expected, and inappropriate dress will get you turned away. Also, whispering in the Sistine Chapel is requested, though tourists rarely grant it. Keep in mind, Vatican City is an independent state. Not all the laws of Italy will apply.

The Vatican has it's own...

by Jim35

The Vatican has it's own [somewhat strange] religious holiday calendar. If you can, try to get this so you don't arrive on a day when everything is closed.However, every Wednesday the Pope gives and audience, for which you can get tickets - if you go on Monday and ask the guards. Tuesday's too late. Go Monday.

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