Vatican City with St. Peters Basilica Jul 23, 2025

Vatican City with St. Peters Basilica

In the middle of Rome, Italy, lies an entire country of its own: Vatican City. At just 121 acres, it"s the smallest independent nation in the world, yet its reach spans centuries and continents. Home to the pope and the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, this walled enclave is a blend of art, history, and devotion. At its core stands St. Peter"s Basilica. Seen in the distance in today"s image, this Renaissance masterpiece is built over what is believed to be the tomb of St. Peter, the first bishop of Rome. With its soaring dome dominating the skyline, the basilica is one of the largest churches in the world. Just beyond the basilica lies St. Peter"s Square, where thousands gather for papal blessings. The Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel, which houses Michelangelo"s famed ceiling, are other must-sees. Despite its size, Vatican City has its own postal service, telephone system, and banking system.

© RudyBalasko/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Jul 23, 2018Tokyo welcomes a futuristic new art museum
Jul 23, 2019A state-of-the-art lookout on the Rock of Gibraltar
Jul 23, 2020At the foot of Dubrovnik s Gibraltar
Jul 23, 2021Let the games (finally) begin!
Jul 23, 2022National Moth Week
Jul 23, 2023Nuwara Eliya, Sri Lanka
Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messenia, Greece

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 20, 2020It s World Bee Day
May 18, 2020Desert rose of Qatar
Sep 7, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
Mar 12, 2021Ringing in the new year at Teotihuacan
May 3, 2020World Laughter Day—it s a hoot
Jun 24, 2023Nha Phu Bay, Nha Trang, Vietnam
Feb 13, 2019Life goes on at the Beatles Ashram
Aug 26, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
Nov 11, 2020Honoring our veterans
Dec 30, 2023Daiichi Tadami River Bridge, Fukushima, Japan
Apr 30, 2019It s International Jazz Day
Oct 4, 2020Infrared Jupiter, erupting Io
Aug 25, 2023National Park Service anniversary
Jun 14, 2024Flag Day
Feb 26, 2024Grand Canyon National Park turns 105
Oct 2, 2022Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Mar 9, 2023Waimea Canyon and Waipoo Falls, Kauai, Hawaii
Apr 10, 2019Siblings that play together…
Mar 8, 2019‘Think equal, build smart, innovate for change’
Nov 6, 2024Shi Shi Beach, Olympic National Park, Washington
Sep 5, 20221934 Labor Day parade, Gastonia, North Carolina
Mar 24, 2018Crimson-rumped toucanet in the Refugio Paz de Las Aves, Ecuador
Dec 29, 2020Where the glow of the holidays lingers
Nov 21, 2020Headed to the High Country
Aug 30, 2019It s fair season
Aug 21, 2022International Lighthouse Weekend
Nov 27, 2024Tombeau du Géant in Bouillon, Belgium
Jan 21, 2021The tale of squirrels like Nutkin
Jun 14, 2019A perfect day to fly your flag
Oct 11, 2019Art in the high desert