The Vatican is in 2nd place in the ranking of the most visited museums in 2023

A survey conducted by Theme Index and Museum Index shows that the Vatican Museums are in second place in the ranking of the most visited museums in the world in 2023.

The Themed Entertainment Association report highlights a 66% global growth in visitor numbers to the world’s 20 most popular museums in 2023.

Europe maintains its dominance in the ranking, concentrating 42% of visits in the 20 most frequented museums. Asia is close behind, with 39%.

According to the study, the Vatican Museums had 6.76 million visitors in 2023, just behind the Louvre, with 8.86 million. Learn more about the Vatican and its stories!

The Vatican City State (as it is officially known) is the smallest independent state in the world, both in terms of area and population: today it has approximately 1,000 inhabitants.

Located in the heart of Rome, Italy, the Vatican serves as the spiritual center of the Catholic Church and the official residence of the Pope.

St. Peter’s Basilica, located in the Vatican, is one of the most important churches in the world and a place of pilgrimage for millions of Catholics.

In fact, the dome of the Basilica, designed by Michelangelo, is one of the largest and most beautiful in the world, and also offers a panoramic view of Rome.

Although the Catholic Church has an ancient history, the Vatican City State was officially born on February 11, 1929, through the Lateran Treaties, signed between the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy.

Since 1984, the Vatican has been recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, highlighting its universal value.

Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the Vatican Museums house works of art accumulated over the centuries by the Popes. Discover some of them!

Sistine Chapel: famous for its magnificent frescoes by Michelangelo, including the ceiling depicting the Creation of Adam.

Map Gallery: This gallery features detailed maps of 16th century Italy, with beautiful frescoes covering the walls and ceiling.

Raphael’s Room: A series of rooms decorated by the Renaissance artist Raphael and his students. The “School of Athens,” one of Raphael’s most famous frescoes, is located here.

Laocoon and his Sons: This famous Hellenistic sculpture, discovered in Rome in 1506, is one of the Vatican’s most iconic pieces. It depicts the Trojan priest Laocoon and his sons being attacked by sea serpents.

Pietà: Although not technically part of the Vatican Museums, Michelangelo’s Pietà, located in St. Peter’s Basilica, is one of the most famous sculptures in the world. It depicts Mary holding the body of Christ after the crucifixion.

Another curiosity about the Vatican is the well-known “Vatican Secret Archives”, today known as the Vatican Apostolic Archives.

This is a vast collection of documents dating back to the 8th century, containing papal correspondence, treaties, historical documents, and is of immense value to scholars of ecclesiastical and world history.

Dan Brown’s work, “The Da Vinci Code,” establishes a connection, albeit fictional, between the Vatican Secret Archives and a series of historical mysteries and conspiracies.

In 2006, the movie “The Da Vinci Code”, based on the best-selling book, premiered in theaters. Big names like Tom Hanks, Ian McKellen, and Jean Reno were part of the cast.

Swiss Guard: The Vatican military is made up of the Swiss Guard, who serve as the Pope’s bodyguard. Founded in 1506, the Guard is known for its colorful and historic uniforms.

Vatican Bank: The Institute for the Works of Religion (IOR), better known as the Vatican Bank, is a unique financial institution used to manage the funds of the Catholic Church.

Vatican Gardens: Occupying almost half of the city-state’s territory, the Vatican Gardens are a green area reserved for the Pope and his guests, with beautiful fountains, sculptures and a vast biodiversity.

The official languages ​​of the Vatican are Latin and Italian and the official currency is the euro.