They may look almost comical, with their MC Hammer pants, enormous shoulder pads, fluffy hats and brightly coloured uniforms; but the Vatican’s Swiss Guards demand some serious respect, thank you very much. Once used to guard prominent Royal Courts, mercenaries hailing from Switzerland had a notorious reputation for fierce loyalty, optimal combating skills and unequalled discipline. While many Swiss Guards regiments existed in Europe since the mid-15th century, the Papal Order is the only one still in existence. They may not look it, but the guards all visitors photograph on their Rome vacation are mean, lean, protective machines! Book your holiday rental apartment near the Vatican in Rome and come discover the illustrious and intriguing history of the most revered bodyguards in Italy. Once upon a time... Many, many moons ago (506 to be exact) Pope Julius II invited a group of renowned Swiss mercenaries to act as a kind of Papal army. Some may wonder what on earth the Vatican would need an army for, but let’s not forget that the correct name of the old Roman Empire was actually the Holy Roman Empire. The church has been at the forefront of battles (over land, subjects and so on) since its ...

Rome, the Italian capital, ranks as one of the most visited cities in the world. The tourist attractions here are almost endless, and filling your much-anticipated vacation days with sightseeing, eating, museum-hopping, more eating and Rome shopping will certainly make for an unforgettable holiday. When looking for Rome apartments, look no further than the area around the Vatican City. The attractions here are excellent, but finding something to see or do which isn’t restricted by Papal walls may be a little more challenging. To this end, we’ve compiled a short list of the very best things to see and do around the Vatican area, just to help you keep your vacation varied. So put on some comfy shoes, grab a map and have yourself a bellissima vacanza! Castel Sant’Angelo Originally built by Emperor Hadryan as a mausoleum for his family, Castel Sant’Angelo is an ancient Roman ruin and an absolutely gorgeous place to retire to for an afternoon of peace and quiet. Located merely 500m east of Piazza Pio XII, this amazing castle lies on the shores of the Tiber River and served as a Papal fortress from the beginning of the first millennia. Various remains of succeeding Roman emperors were buried here, ...

The city of Rome has many attractions and sites that individual would justify a trip to the Italian capital. There is so much to see and do in Rome, that the choice of how best to spend your time in the city, can actually be hard. With attractions which include the stunning Coliseum, the Spanish Steps and the market in Piazza Navona, what are the must see places in Rome? One place I would always highly recommend is the Vatican and its museums. The museums within Vatican City are a collection of some of the finest art displays and collections in the world, with works of art built up throughout the centuries by the Catholic Church. Founded in the early 16th century as a collection of sculptures gathered by Pope Julius II, the pope opened the collections of art and the palaces to the public, promoting an understanding and knowledge of the history and culture. Today the Vatican Museums are a collection of various museums and galleries, visited by more than 4 million people from all over the world. They began as an entity under the Popes Clement XIV and Pius VI between 1769 and 1799, with the Pio-Clementine ...