We’ve all heard of Vatican City. It’s the smallest country in the world and home to the late Pope. Built on the tomb of Saint Peter, it has fantastic architecture, beautiful artifacts, and a world of history that we’ve only begun to understand. But what are the secrets we don’t know? Let’s find out!
The Wine
Rumor has it the wine isn’t that great and may not be worth trying. A first-century poet mocked the wine, saying if you drink it, you’re drinking venom. It has been widely accepted that this was probably just a rumor. It was further said that you didn’t deserve the pain of drinking the Vatican vintage.
The Water
Roman historian Tacitus claimed that the water was disease-ridden and “fetid.” During the war in the year 69, he argued that soldiers were greedily drinking from the river (in the area that Vatican City now occupies), and apparently, soldiers were dying of dysentery. However, this isn’t surprising, as in ancient times, Romans dumped their sewage into the river.
Michelangelo’s Autograph
The Vatican is the only location that has the famous artist’s autograph. It is found in the Basilica. In a chapel, you’ll find the statue of the Virgin Mary cradling Jesus’ lifeless body. If you look closely at the statue, you’ll see that the artist carved his name into Mary’s sash. Look for it if you ever visit the city.
TV, Radio, And Newspaper
The Vatican has all three of these things. Since the 1980s, they’ve been producing their own television programming, and you can live stream it. While it’s been debated whether it’s worth delving into, others have said that it’s quite interesting to be updated on religious and cultural issues, and it’s worth your time.
Donations
Although the revenue for the Vatican is significant, you might be surprised to know that charitable donations also keep the city afloat. A lot of mystery still surrounds the financial aspects of the city, but the donations, believed to be Peter’s Pence, are offered by the Holy See.
Tourists Bring Crime
When looking into the statistics of the city, you’ll find that most of the crime comes from tourists. Additionally, most crimes are petty, such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and other issues. In times of crime, you should call the police; it’s suggested that the Swiss Guard be left alone.
No Prison
The Vatican does not have a prison. While they do have a few cells for detention before trial, there is no long-term prison. If you are convicted and sentenced, you’ll be moved into an Italian prison. This is due to the Lateran Treaty. The costs, however, fall upon the Vatican government.
Secret Passageways
It is said that there are secret passages connecting the Vatican to other areas of the city. While it’s claimed they’re mostly nearby, we may never know the truth, as it’s rumored there could be some farther out. Many have also speculated what they could be for, and in recent years, we’ve seen passages being revealed.
The Guard
If you want to be a member of the Swiss Guard in charge of protecting the Pope, there are very specific qualifications you’ll need. You must be a Christian, be a male between 19 and 30, and you have to be at least 5’8. You’ll also need to have completed basic military training. If you can’t meet these qualifications, you won’t be chosen.
No Hospitals
If you get sick and need a hospital, you’ll have to go to another country, as there are no hospitals here. They also don’t have delivery rooms, so it’s impossible to be a citizen by birth. You can only achieve citizenship by working in a capacity of service to the Holy See. When your job is done, so is your citizenship.
Shocked?
Did any of these shock you? Vatican City has been a religious country for years, and who knows how many secrets we have yet to uncover, but hopefully we sated your curiosity at least for the moment. Remember, if you visit this lovely city, most of the rumors are from thousands of years ago; things change.
