The Vatican/Holy See is the world's smallest country, just a complex of grand buildings and gardens located as a walled enclave within the city of Rome. But officially and politically the Vatican is regarded as an independent sovereign city state. It is one of the wealthiest states in the world due to a combination of historical, religious, and financial factors:
- Historical treasures: the Vatican is home to an extensive collection of art and historical artifacts, including works by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci, as well as ancient Roman and Egyptian artifacts. These treasures are housed in various museums and galleries within the Vatican, and attract millions of visitors each year, generating significant revenue.
- Religious donations: as the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church, and receives substantial financial support from Catholics around the world. Donations from individual Catholics, as well as from Catholic organizations and institutions, contribute significantly to the Vatican's wealth.
- Financial investments: the Vatican has a significant investment portfolio, including real estate holdings, stocks, and bonds. The Vatican Bank, officially known as the Institute for the Works of Religion, manages these investments and provides financial services to Catholic institutions and individuals around the world.
- Sovereignty and tax-exempt status: The Vatican is a sovereign state, and as such, it is not subject to taxation by other countries. This has allowed the Vatican to accumulate wealth without the burden of taxes that other states and institutions must pay.
The immense Vatican's wealth is a source of controversy and criticism, with some questioning the ethics of a religious institution possessing such vast resources while many people around the world live in poverty.
Vatican City / Holy See
Officially called "Citta del Vaticano", or sometimes "Holy See", it may be the tiniest "country" in the world, but it's a huge heavyweight in terms of history and tourism. Enormous power has emanated from this place for the best part of the last two millennia – which brought war and devastation to countless places around the world, in particular Europe and the Middle East while at the same time brought huge fortunes to the Vatican. Millions of visitors go there each year (tourists and "pilgrims") further boosting its coffers.
Most visitors to the Vatican want to see the world-famous Vatican Museums and the celebrated Sistine Chapel. Expect huge crowds and hefty costs for doing that. Otherwise you can just freely wander into St Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro) and look around. The Swiss guards are a sight to behold. Their brightly coloured stripy outfits and strange helmets add a weird and almost surreal element to the whole experience. And, yes, the force is entirely comprised of Swiss citizens.
