As you pass through the doors of the Vatican Museums, you might not realize it, but you are entering the world’s smallest country. So how did the Vatican become a tiny country within a country?
Vatican City, Italy
That the Vatican City is actually a country within the country of Italy is often a bewildering concept for many visitors to Rome. How the Vatican became a separate country has to do with the long and complicated history of the influence of the Holy See in Europe and the Papal States.
The Papal States
The Papal States were territories in modern day Italy that were under the rule of the pope before the country was unified in 1870. At the height of its power, the Papal States ruled over much of the central Italian peninsula including what is today Lazio, Umbria, Marche, Romagna and Emilia. When the Papal States were conquered by the newly proclaimed Kingdom of Italy in 1870, the pope was left with no physical territory except for St Peter’s Basilica and other buildings in what is today Vatican City.
The Roman Question
While the pope had lost sovereignty over the Papal States, including Lazio and Rome, they refused to acknowledge the new Italian government. Meanwhile, the Vatican remained beyond the control of the Kingdom of Italy. The resulting cold war between the two parties, known as the “Roman Question”, lasted until 1929 when the two signed the Lateran Treaty.
The Lateran Treaty
The Lateran Treaty was signed between the head of state of the Kingdom of Italy, Benito Mussolini, and Pope Pius XI in 1929. The agreement, named after the Lateran Palace where it was signed, gave the Vatican sovereignty over the Vatican City and offered financial compensation for the loss of the Papal States. The agreement was later included in the Constitution of Italy after World War II.
The Vatican is now officially recognised as the Vatican City State. While it may be the smallest sovereign state both in area (120 acres) and population (less than 1000), it has many of the functions associated with a separate country. It has a post office with Vatican stamps, its own flag and national anthem and is home to the smallest army of any country (110 Swiss Guards protect the city).
The Vatican even mints its own coins. While not officially part of the EU, the Vatican’s geographic and historical links to Italy means it uses the Euro as its currency and is permitted to mint €1 million a year.
While you don’t need a passport to enter the Vatican City, much of it is off limits to those who are not citizens. The best way to explore the world’s smallest country is to head to the Vatican Museums and St Peter’s Basilica to admire the country’s best artistic assets.
Recommended Vatican City Tours: Vatican City & Sistine Chapel Tour
Price: €69
Company: Sightseeing Tours Italy
Related article: Guide to the Vatican City, Italy
Violet Danvers is a travel blogger, freelance writer and adventure lover! Violet is the owner at Violet Danvers.
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