The Vatican City (Citta del Vaticano) is a sovereign city-state and an enclave surrounded by the city of Rome, Italy. It is the smallest independent state in the world by both area and population, with an area of about 44 hectares and a population of around 800 residents. Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and serves as the residence of the Pope.
Vatican City was established in 1929 CE as a result of the Lateran Treaties between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy, which recognized the independence and sovereignty of the Holy See. Today, Vatican City is a unique combination of a religious and political center, and is home to several important religious and cultural institutions, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and the Vatican Library.
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The Sistine Chapel (Capella Sistina) was built in the mid-fifteenth century CE and is renowned for its ceiling painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512 CE. The ceiling is one of the most famous works of Renaissance art and depicts scenes from the Book of Genesis, including the famous "Creation of Adam". The Sistine Chapel has been used as a site for papal conclaves and is still used today as a place of worship. The ceiling is a masterpiece of perspective and anatomy, with figures that seem to depict near lifelike features. The Sistine Chapel was also decorated with frescoes by other artists, including Botticelli, Perugino, and Ghirlandaio, who painted scenes from the life of Moses and Jesus on the lower part of the walls. It continues to be a popular tourist destination and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture and art. Explore >
The Saint Peter's Complex in Rome is a historical and religious site that includes Saint Peter's Basilica, Saint Peter's Square, the Vatican Museums, and the papal apartments (Apostolic Palace). The complex has a long and rich history, dating back to the fourth century CE when Emperor Constantine built a basilica over the site where Saint Peter was purportedly buried. Over the centuries, several popes have added to and expanded the complex, resulting in the magnificent structures that exist today. The most notable artistic and architectural additions were made by Bramante, Michelangelo, Bernini, and Maderno in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The complex continues to be a major pilgrimage site for Catholics and a popular tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors every year. Explore >
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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Madain Project: Encyclopedia of Abrahamic History & Archaeology. Copyright 2017 - 2023.
