Tourism in Vatican City
The Vatican was built during the year 326 A.D. As the population and housing grew, the first palace was built during the 5th century under the reign of Pope Symmachus (498–514). Under the Holy Roman Empire, the Papal States grew to include a large portion of central Italy. But since the unification of Italy in the mid-19th century, Vatican City is the only papal state that has survived. As of 1929, because of the Lateran Treaty, the Vatican is recognized as its own independent state, the smallest in the world in population and land size, with a population of just over 800 people in July 2011. The Pope is not only the head of the Catholic religion but also head of state for Vatican City. Since the Vatican is located in Italy, the main language of the Vatican state (or Vatican City) is Italian.
Transport in Vatican City
There is a short, 852 meter, standard gauge (4.7 ft.) railway that connects to surrounding Italy's network at the Saint Peter's station in the capital of Rome. Vatican City railway station was designed by architect and was constructed during the reign of Pope Pius XI after the conclusion of the Lateran Treaties, opening in 1933. The railway was originally planned to transport pilgrims, but in the event has rarely transported passengers. Pope John XXIII was the first to travel on it, and Pope John Paul II was known to have used it, but rarely. The railway is mainly used to transport freight.