Top 5 Smallest European Countries
Did you know some countries are smaller than a typical small town? We rounded up Europe's 5 smallest sovereign states – surprising facts, world heritage sites and travel tips.
Vatican City
Europe · Southern Europe
Capital
Vatican City
Population
—
Area
0.44 km²
Official language
Italian, Latin
Currency
Euro (EUR)
Car code
V
Traffic side
Electricity
230 V · 50 Hz
Internet domain
.va
Overview
Vatican City is the world's smallest state, covering just 0.44 square kilometers, located entirely within the city of Rome on the western bank of the Tiber River. The state serves as the spiritual and administrative center of the Catholic Church, led by the Pope, who holds sovereign authority over this unique, independent territory. An artistic heritage disproportionate to its size, one that drew some of the greatest Renaissance and Baroque masters over the centuries, makes Vatican City one of the world's most significant cultural destinations.
St. Peter's Basilica, one of the most important churches in Christianity, features Michelangelo's dome and Bernini's colonnade as a high point of Baroque architecture, while the vast square in front of it welcomes hundreds of thousands of pilgrims during major religious occasions. The Vatican Museums, home to one of the richest art collections in the world, culminate in the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo's ceiling fresco and The Last Judgment can be seen. The entire territory, including the basilica, the museums, and the Vatican Gardens, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, a rare distinction for an entire country.
The Vatican Gardens, covering nearly half the territory, offer a quiet, carefully tended green retreat away from the bustle of the basilica and museums, and can be visited on organized tours. The Swiss Guard, protecting the Pope since 1506, is one of the most recognizable and photographed sights on the grounds, known for its distinctive Renaissance-style uniforms.
Map
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Browse all UNESCO sites →
Cultural
Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura
Founded, according to legend, by Romulus and Remus in 753 BC, Rome was first the centre of the Roman Republic, then of the Roman Empire, and it became the capital of the Christian world in the 4th century. The World Heritage site, extended in 1990 to the walls of Urban VIII, includes some of the major monuments of antiquity such as the Forums, the Mausoleum of Augustus, the Mausoleum of Hadrian, the Pantheon, Trajan’s Column and the Column of Marcus Aurelius, as well as the religious and public buildings of papal Rome.
Cultural
Vatican City
The Vatican City, one of the most sacred places in Christendom, attests to a great history and a formidable spiritual venture. A unique collection of artistic and architectural masterpieces lie within the boundaries of this small state. At its centre is St Peter's Basilica, with its double colonnade and a circular piazza in front and bordered by palaces and gardens. The basilica, erected over the tomb of St Peter the Apostle, is the largest religious building in the world, the fruit of the combined genius of Bramante, Raphael, Michelangelo, Bernini and Maderno.
Data: UNESCO WHC · CC BY-SA 4.0
Related blog posts
All blog posts →Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Vatican City?
The capital of Vatican City is Vatican City.
What is the area of Vatican City?
The area of Vatican City is 0.44 km².
What is the currency of Vatican City?
The currency of Vatican City is Euro (EUR).
What is the official language of Vatican City?
The official language of Vatican City: Italian, Latin.
What side of the road does Vatican City drive on?
Vatican City: Right-hand traffic.
Is Vatican City a member of the United Nations?
Vatican City is not a member but holds observer status at the United Nations.