The Holy See Rome
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Rome is technically neither a part of the city or the country of Italy. The Holy See, site of the Vatican, is recognized as an independent state. The Vatican Palace has been the residence of the popes since 1377. The palace consists of a number of individual buildings containing an estimated 1,400 rooms, chapels, and galleries. The pope and his household occupy only a small part of the palace, the remainder serves as administrative offices, the Vatican library, and Museums (home to the Sistine Chapel). Of course, nearly all the world is familiar with the imagery of the Pope addressing thousands in St. Peter's Square from a window in the Vatican Palace.

The square (Piazza San Pietro) is laid out in the shape of the cross and accommodates 400,000 people. It's one of Bernini's most spectacular masterpieces, completed in 1667 after 11 years' work. It is surrounded by a curving pair of quadruple colonnades, which are topped by a balustrade and statues of 140 saints.

The plaza is dominated, of course, by the largest church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica. You will also find the Vatican Information Office, a Bookstore and a Post Office just off the square.

Website Vatican Rome