The Ultimate Walking Tours Guide for Città del Vaticano: Navigating the World's Smallest Independent State
My shins still ache from the cobblestones flanking the massive colonnade of St. Peter’s Square, a daily reminder that the best way to understand the smallest sovereign state on earth is entirely on foot. When you arrive at the borders of this micro-city, vehicular traffic vanishes, leaving you at the mercy of your own two feet and the vast, marble-paved expanses designed by Bernini. I have spent weeks pounding the pavement around Vatican City, tracing the perimeter walls from the Viale Vaticano up to the majestic entryway of the basilica, and every step reveals a new layer of architectural history. Why Città del Vaticano is Best Explored on Foot # Covering just over forty hectares, this tiny enclave demands a pedestrian approach simply because cars cannot access the interior monuments. Walking allows you to appreciate the subtle grade changes of the terrain, moving from the broad sweep of Via della Conciliazione right up to the heavy wooden doors of the basilica. When you walk, you notice the details: the distinct uniforms of the Swiss Guard standing at attention near the Arch of the Bells, the sudden cooling of the air as you pass beneath the monumental stone archways, and the way the light hits the travertine marble during the late afternoon.