The name "Vatican" (Latin: Vaticanus) comes from the Mons Vaticanus hill, on which the state now stands. 😉 Before the Romans arrived, the area was marshy and sparsely populated — nothing like the splendor that came later. In the era of Ancient Rome, this was the site of Emperor Nero's gardens and a circus where, according to legend, the Apostle Peter was crucified. Later, in the 4th century, Emperor Constantine built the first Basilica of St. Peter on this very spot — and it was this basilica that laid the foundations for the future Vatican.
👉 Today the Vatican is the smallest state in the world — both in area and population. And yet it's an extraordinary place where centuries of tradition, art, science, and politics are all packed into a tiny space. Around 6 million tourists visit it every year. 🙆♂️ A tip from me: get there early, because the lines grow faster than your enthusiasm.
