Alyssa's+European+Nation+Profile

European Nation Profile =__Vatican City__=

The Vatican City, located in Italy, is an amazing country. It has had a rich history, including how the country wastoc

developed and how it has evolved. Vatican City has many many buildings that were painted by famous artists, including the Sistine Chapel. There are also rooms and buildings that create the Vatican Museum. Vatican is one of the most religious countries in the world. It has many religious buildings that are very symbolic. The Vatican City is very influential in many ways.

History
Vatican City has had a long history to become an official country. St. Peter was martyred and buried there. Then, in 326 A.D., Emperor Constantine built a basilica over Peter’s tomb. A basilica is a church that has been given certain ceremonial privileges by the pope. Slowly, religious buildings were built around the basilica. Later, in 1929, the Lateran Treaty recognized Vatican City as an actual country. When Pope Pius XII started excavating around St. Peter’s basilica in 1939, many things were dug up, including what is thought to be St. Peter’s original tomb. Vatican City had a long time until it was officially called a country.

Vatican City has had a long history with many popes. The most well-known popes include St. Peter, who was the first pope, also the first pope to be martyred. St. Silverius was the first pope to resign from his spot, resigning in 537. Theodore II was in office for only twenty days in 897. Sixtus IV was pope from 1471 to 1484, and built the Sistine Chapel. Also, John Paul I was the first pope to have a double name as pope. The Vatican City has had a great history with many inspiring popes.

Arts
Vatican City is full of beautiful art made by many famous artists. One example of the arts there is the Sistine Chapel. It was built for domestic services. The walls were painted by many famous artists of the Renaissance like Michelangelo. Over 350 amazing figures are painted on the walls. On the North wall, the paintings depict the life of Jesus. The South wall shows the life of Jesus. Then, on the ceiling is scenes of Genesis. Also, the back wall had the Last Judgement on its walls. On the lower walls, there are tapestries made by Raphael. The Sistine Chapel is now used for official ceremonies by the pope. The Sistine Chapel is a great example of art in Vatican City.

The Vatican Museums also show the arts in Vatican City. The Vatican Museums are a big collection of buildings in the Vatican City that are open for the public. It includes works of statues, antiques, inscriptions, modern religious art, and much more painted by famous artists. Included in the Vatican Museums are the Sistine Chapel, Pinacoteca Vaticana Pio Clementino, and Stanze di Rafaello. Some pieces are created by Raphael and Caravaggio. The Vatican Museum is another great place to find examples of Vatican City art.

Religion
Vatican City is full of religion. It is a Catholic country, where almost 100 percent of the population is Catholic. Catholics believe in heaven and that you get a chance at an afterlife in Heaven. They also believe in the one and only true God. Vatican City is a very religious country. Catholicism is a very important part of Vatican City.

Since Vatican City is such an important religious country, it has many religious landmarks. The first building built there was St. Peter’s Basilica. It is one of the world’s largest Christian churches. Many religious buildings were slowly built around the basilica. The Sistine Chapel, the Lateral Palace, which is where the popes once lived, St. Peter’s Square, and many more religious buildings are there. St. Paul was also martyred there. The Vatican City has many religious buildings are built there.