Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Vatican fun facts



The Vatican did not become a sovereign city-state until 1929, and believe it or not you can thank Mussolini for that. It is a walled city-state covering approx. 110 acres. The Popes have generally resided in the area of the Vatican since 1377. 

FUN FACTS

  • The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with the smallest population. It measures 44 hectares ( 110 acres) and has a population of about 1000 people.
  • The Vatican has its own Post office and issues its own stamps. The Vatican mail system is widely used by Romans as in most cases is a lot quicker than Italian mail.
  • The Vatican's radio station is located in a tower inside the Vatican Gardens and broadcasts in 20 languages throughout the world.
  • The Vatican's railway Station was opened in 1930 and is mostly used for freight.
  • Piazza di San Pietro (St Peter's Square) and the colonnade were designed and built by Bernini (completed in 1667). At 314 meters long and 240 meters wide it is the largest square in Rome. Bernini (with the help of his pupils) designed the 140 statues of saints which decorate the colonnade.
  • The Vatican City issues its own passports; the Pope, cardinals, members of the Swiss guard and clergy being the recipients.
  • The Vatican City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; the only site to encompass a whole country.
  • Italians are allowed to donate 8% of their yearly taxes to the Vatican (this is instead of paying it to the Italian Government).
  • In 2007 the Vatican opted to become the first Carbon neutral state by offsetting their carbon footprint with the creation of a forest in Hungary.
  • The Vatican stamps its own coins. The €1 coin which has a portrait of the present Pope is in high demand with collectors.
  • The Vatican museums are over 9 miles (14,5 kilometers) long, and it is said that if you spent only 1 minute admiring each painting it would take you 4 years to complete the circuit...(WOW)
  •  Swiss Guards were chosen for their loyalty. Until then, the Pope used Mercenaries, whose allegiance was bought. Pope Julius II felt this was unsafe.

  • Established in 1506 by Pope Julius II the Pontifical Swiss Guard (Vatican guard) were originally employed as personal bodyguards to the Pope, at present they serve as the military force of the Vatican.
  • To be a Swiss guard one must be: at least 5'8.5'' in height, Male, Catholic, between the ages of 19 and 30, have completed basic training in the Swiss military, and of course, be Swiss.

  • In 1998 there was a murder in the Vatican City. The newly named commander of the Swiss Guards and his wife were killed, allegedly by the new Commander's homosexual lover.
  • There is no public illustration or painting exists in the Vatican of Pope Johannes. Why you wonder.... Because it is alleged that Johannes was really Joan, a female. It was discovered she was not a he when she gave birth to a child. She and the child were killed, and it seems almost all memory of them have been torn from the history books.



Talk about Vatican – history – cool sights – Sistine chapel – St. Peters basilica – the dome

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