Vatican City, Borgo & Prati - Rome - page 323

Being blown away by the super-sized opulence of St Peter's Basilica .
Trying to line up the columns on St Peter's Square - it is possible.
Revelling in the wonderful rooftop views from Castel Sant'Angelo .
Marvelling at the vibrant colours of the fabulously frescoed Stanze di Raffaello .
Explore: Vatican City, Borgo & Prati
The Vatican, the world's smallest sovereign state (a mere 0.44 sq km), is a few hundred
metres west of the Tiber. Centred on the domed bulk of St Peter's Basilica, it boasts some
of Italy's most celebrated masterpieces, many housed in the vast Vatican Museums.
You will need at least a morning to do justice to the Vatican Museums. The highlight
here is the Michelangelo- decorated Sistine Chapel, but there's enough art on display to
keep you busy for years. If you're with a tour guide, or if you can join a tour group, you
can pass directly from the Sistine Chapel through to St Peter's Basilica; other- wise you'll
have to walk around and approach from St Peter's Square, itself one of the Vatican's most
dramatic sights. Once finished in the basilica, you'll probably be ready for a break. There
are few good eating options in the Vatican itself, but the graceful residential district of
Prati is full of excellent trattorias, takeaways and restaurants.
Between the Vatican and the river lies the cobbled, medieval district of the Borgo. The
big sight here is Castel Sant'Angelo, the big drum-shaped castle overlooking the river.
Local Life
» Fast Food Rather than having a full-length midday meal, local office workers tend to
grab a snack from the many excellent takeaways in Prati. Join them and lunch on pizza al
taglio (pizza by the slice) and gelato.
» Shopping Strips Spearing off Piazza del Risorgimento, Via Cola di Rienzo is lined
with busy department stores.