So how many of us are planning a trip for this Christmas season? Are you searching for suggestions? Well, what better place to visit during Christmas than the heart of it all?
Enclosed by the Italian capital Rome and covering a mere 0.44 square kilometres, Vatican City, the world’s smallest sovereign nation is the capital of the Catholic world and arguably the most significant centre for Christianity today. But it’s not just about religious significance. The Vatican is something that should be on the bucket list of everyone with an urge to explore, a taste for art and a curiosity for history. Filled with an array of magical pieces of architecture, an unimaginable wealth of artefacts and a breathtaking manner of Christmas celebration, a trip to the Vatican this December would be your ideal getaway.
Midnight Mass and everything else at St. Peter’s Basilica
The Pope is the head of the catholic religion and it is at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City that he leads the religious rituals on special days. Unsurprisingly this is where you would be able to immerse yourself in the most mesmerizing Christmas Eve service. But there’s a catch. You need to get yourself tickets to the mass. How much is that going to cost you? Don’t worry, it’s completely free. But they are limited as well. The Basilica can accommodate more than 15,000 people and it runs up to full attendance for the papal mass on the night of December 24th. Tickets are available starting from November.
The Basilica is also one of the marvellous pieces of architecture across the globe. Donato Bramante, Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini are some of the great sculptors who have contributed to the grandeur of the structure. The Basilica houses the tombs of many past Popes including that of St. Peter (directly below the altar), the first Pope.
On the eastern side of the Basilica is the famous St. Peter’s Square or Piazza San Pietro. Yup this is the place that you have watched on countless movies and videos. Another marvel of architecture, a selfie here would be one of the best ways to look back on your Vatican trip.
Dive into art and history
The Vatican has one of the most spectacular collections of museums. In these museums, you would be taken on a ride through 2,000 years of history. Sculptures, painting and relics from various periods would be on display. The Vatican Museums were founded by Pope Julius II in the 16th century. Today they are 54 in number and house thousands of treasures including some of the most spectacular Renaissance works by the likes of Michelangelo, Raphael, Da Vinci and so on.
The Sistine Chapel is the most famous Vatican Museum and holds within it a number of great works. One of the most enticing of these is the ceiling painted by Michelangelo, a masterpiece that awes you instantly.
The Vatican Gardens
Encompassing almost half the territory of the country, the enchanting Vatican Gardens were opened to the public only in 2014. They offer picturesque views, soothing walkways, pleasant greenery and beautiful fountains. On the trail, one would also find rare trees and plants, statues and replicas. The gardens also house some of the important buildings of the Vatican and offer a great view of St Peter’s Basilica.
What else does the Vatican hold? Well, all this is but a tip of the iceberg. You could cover volumes of books writing about the attractions at the Vatican and spend years trying to get a glimpse of every single artefact at the Vatican. So, hop on a plane and get ready to spend this Christmas at this tiny country. The visit is surely going to be nothing short of memorable.
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