Bulgaria has always been a crossroads from Europe to the Middle East and Asia, and therefore in all historical periods it has been of interest to neighboring peoples who have left traces of their stay on Bulgarian soil. There are tombs of Thracian kings, theaters of the ancient Greeks, ancient Roman stadiums, medieval castles of the kings of the First and Second Bulgarian kingdoms, Ottoman mosques, etc. There are nine sites included in the UNESCO World Heritage List on the territory of present-day Bulgaria.

The natural landscape of Bulgaria is very diverse. For example, the Balkan Mountains stretch across the country: from the farthest northwestern regions to the Black Sea coast. Mountains and river valleys occupy almost all of the western and southern regions of the country. The highest peak in Bulgaria and all of Eastern Europe is Mount Musala (2,925 meters above sea level) on the Rila Range. In the south of the country are the lowlands and low mountains of Strandzha and Sakar, in the north the territory is low-lying, and in the east is the Black Sea coast.

From a tourist point of view, modern Bulgaria is a diverse country that will appeal to lovers of several vacation destinations. In our Bulgaria travel guide we will tell you about the best beach and ski resorts, the main attractions, and the most delicious local cuisine. The time spent in Bulgaria will surely be remembered by its guests, because, according to the locals, their country is a paradise, as an ancient Bulgarian legend tells us: “When God gave the nations of the world their lands, he forgot about the Bulgarians. There was no free land left for them. And then he gave the Bulgarians a piece of paradise.”

Climate and weather in Bulgaria

Bulgaria is located in two climatic zones – continental and Mediterranean, which largely determines the weather on its territory.

Most of Bulgaria has a continental climate, with hot and dry or moderately humid summers and moderately cold winters with rare snowfall. It is due to the presence of mountains that create a sharp contrast in weather over relatively short distances.

Since the Black Sea is relatively small, it is not the main factor affecting the weather in the country and forms weather conditions only on the coast. Thus, Bulgarian seaside resorts usually have warm summers, when the air temperature averages +28°C, but in some years it reaches +40°C. The winters are mild, with temperatures rarely falling below -2 °C.

In the mountains, the climate is more harsh, with summer temperatures ranging from +18°C to +21°C and winter temperatures of -6°C to -10°C, with very heavy snowfall and sometimes temperatures dropping to -30°C.

Southwestern Bulgaria has a subtropical climate with mild winters, during which there is more rain than snowfall, and hot and humid summers.

Spring in Bulgaria is often wet, but in March, in some snowy years, tourists can even find the ski season at popular ski resorts. The best type of recreation in spring is at balneological resorts, of which there are several hundred in the country, they are famous for their healing mineral waters – there are about five hundred sources of such waters in the country. The beach tourism season opens in May. The water in the sea is still quite cool, but the air temperature is already rising to +22 °C.

There are almost never big waves on the Bulgarian coast. At this time, many families with children vacation on the country’s beaches.

September in Bulgaria is the velvet season, and it is also a very pleasant time for long walks by the sea, excursions, hiking, and visiting various festivals.

In winter, Bulgaria has a very good ski vacation: there is a lot of snow in the winter resorts, the ski season lasts until the end of February – beginning of March. The air temperature rarely drops below -20 °C, and on average it stays within the range of -10 °C … -15 °C.

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The main attraction of Portugal is the capital city of Lisbon. Translated from the local dialect, it means “favorite bay”. Everyone who has visited this amazing city considers it to be one of the most wonderful in the world.

Hearing the name of such a natural attraction of Portugal as the Azores, many people do not even know where they are. In fact, this archipelago in the center of the Atlantic has won the love and devotion of those people who prefer peace and quiet, love diving and fishing, and prefer eco-tourism.

The description of such a landmark of Portugal as the Belém Tower can be found in every guidebook, because it was built in the distant XVI century. At different times, this place was used as a fortress, a powder magazine, a customs office, and a prison. Now it is open to tourists.

The Pina Palace, located in Sitra, may seem old at first glance. In fact, this landmark was built in the XIX century and its purpose is to copy the ancient architecture.

The Vasco da Gama Bridge is the longest bridge in Europe, over 17 km long. This attraction was opened in 1998. Today, the bridge is paid for.

The Chapel of Bones is the most unusual attraction in Evora. It is based on the skeletons of 10 thousand Portuguese Christians.

Santa Maria de Alcobaça Monastery is a Catholic building dating back to the XII century. This building gained its attractiveness and popularity among tourists due to its three-nave Gothic-style basilica and facade with pronounced Baroque features.

Crista Rey is a 28-meter-high statue of Jesus Christ that towers over the city of Almada. It is one of the landmarks in Portugal that was built with public donations. Its main idea is to ask the Lord to save the country during the Second World War.

Obidos Castle is one of the “Seven Wonders of Portugal,” which was built in the distant XII century. It was originally built as a military and defense structure, but fell into disrepair after the earthquake. Since the nineteenth century, this castle has been functioning as a museum.

Almendris – megalithic stones are considered to be the largest accumulation of vertically set stones on the Iberian Peninsula. 10 of them contain images, and four have small holes.

The Don Luis Bridge, which connects the city of Porto with Vila Nova de Gaia. This powerful structure, 385 meters long, was built in 1886 for the movement of rail and road transport.

Quinta da Regaleira is a palace and park complex consisting of a neo-Gothic palace, a chapel, and a multi-tiered park. The upper part is a wild forest, and the lower part is a garden.

The Monte Tropical Garden, located on the island of Madeira, consists of a huge number of plants, as well as two artificial lakes. Peacocks and fighting Indonesian roosters can be found in this garden.

Guimarães Castle is considered a medieval fortress that was built in the 10th century to protect the local monastery. Later, the castle was converted into a prison, and since the late nineteenth century it has been declared a historical monument and is open to tourists.

Praia Beach and Marina is located near the town of Carvoeiro. It is famous for its exquisite beauty and is extremely popular with couples and the elderly.

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Geography and location

The main resorts of Albania are Durres, Vlora and Saranda. There are also many small towns along the coast, so there are a lot of options for recreation. According to many travelers who have visited Albania, the most beautiful and cleanest sea is in the southern part of the country, closer to the Greek border and the island of Corfu. It is also worth noting that the color of the water is very different: in the northern part of the country is washed by the Adriatic Sea and the water is blue and blue, and in the southern part – by the Ionian Sea, with water of azure blue color.

All resort places in Albania can be divided into several categories: “youth” – such as Durres or Saranda, where there are many clubs and beach parties; “calm” – small resort villages of the Albanian Riviera (Dermi, Himara, Cheparë, Borsh, Lukovë) and places suitable for families with children – for example, the bays of Vlora, Xamil, where there is entertainment for children and a comfortable family vacation is provided.

A special area in Albania is often distinguished – the Albanian Riviera – a number of tourist coastal villages, ranging from Pasala to Lukova.

What to do

Standard entertainment on Albanian beaches: jet ski rental, boat rental, diving, snorkeling, excursions to Albanian and Greek islands, restaurants, nightclubs, beach parties. Tourists are also offered many trekking trips to the mountains.

The main facts about Albania:

• Albania has more than 300 sunny days a year and 430 km of coastline, and the water temperature in the sea in summer is +25°C.
• Albania is a Muslim country, but there are no restrictions on clothing and behavior.
• Albania is a fairly safe country. According to many ratings, it is included in the top ten safest countries in the world with a population of up to 5 million people. And the murder rate is 2.5 times lower here.
• Albania is an inexpensive country. Compared to, for example, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Albania will seem to you the most budgetary.
• Albania is a country not spoiled by tourists. This fact is very important today, because many travelers try to relax where there are fewer tourists. This is especially true for the Mediterranean (those who have been to Dubrovnik will agree with us).

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Reykjavík is believed to have been founded in 874, when a certain farmer-settler laid out a dwelling on the site. The area is rich in hot springs that burst forth columns of steam. This was very impressive to the Celtic and Norwegian settlers, who nicknamed it “Smoky Bay” – Icelandic for “Reykjavik”.

By 1262, all taxes and tribute levied across the country flowed into the city. International trade with the Hanseatic League, England, and Norway flourished here. The city reached its maximum economic and political importance after it was taken over by Denmark in 1395. In 1627, it fell into decline after being ravaged by Berber pirates.

Remembrances of Rijk’javik

After the informative walks through the museums, you’ll probably want to just walk around the city. And you won’t be disappointed if you do:

Blakitnae Lagoon
It takes about 40 minutes to get to it from the center of Reyk’javik, but it’s worth it. The water of the geothermal pool really has a blakitny color and merges with the incredible Icelandic sky. Due to its unique natural composition, disease-causing microbes die. So bring your swimsuit and a bathing gown and enjoy your bathing.

Cultural Center “Perlan”
The history of this building, which has become one of the symbols of Reyk’javik, began in 1991, when the current mayor decided to turn the boiler house into an art object. And he succeeded! Now there are regular exhibitions, concerts, performances under the glass dome of “Perlina”, and wild bohemians and tourists wander around. And the boiler house, which utilizes the energy of underground sources, is still in operation!

Hudlgrimskirkju
The building looks more like a set for a sci-fi movie than the Lutheran church it is. Moreover, it was built for 38 years, starting in 1945.

The Sun Voyager monument
It was erected in honor of the 200th anniversary of Reyk’javik on the waterfront of the city. It reminds of the frame of a Viking chovn, moreover, not only the view, but also decent dimensions: 4 meters long and 3 meters high. It seems that the most hilarious photos of the “Sleepy Mandrovnik” are taken at the end of the day, when the sun descends into the sea waters. Check it out!

“Imagine Peace Tower.”
Light Tower was designed by Yoko Ono herself – Lennon’s widow. Great lichthars, which operate on the energy of hot energy sources, pierce the evening sky of Rijek’javik. The pedestal itself is decorated with the words in different languages “Imagine Peace”, as an extension of the famous song “Imagine Peace” by the Beatles. The monument, as Yoko intended, symbolizes the desire for love, peace and harmony in all their manifestations.

And only a part of the beauty that awaits you in Rijk’javik.
And only in the middle of the XVIII century the town began to gradually revive, when a certain royal treasurer Skuli Magnusson opened here workshops for the production of wool. And by August 1786 the settlement received the official status of a town. In 1845 the administration of the country was already located here.

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Architecturally, Dubrovnik is divided into two unequal parts: the so-called Old and New Town. The historical core of the city, the Old Town, located within a massive defensive wall, formed its appearance in the XVII century. The Old Town is a well-preserved example of a medieval Mediterranean city and is included in the UNESCO World Treasures List.

In Dubrovnik, you can find many wonderful cultural and architectural monuments, such as the Church of St. Vlach, the Prince’s Palace, Dominican and Franciscan monasteries, fountains by Italian architect Onofrio de La Cavia, the oldest synagogue in Europe, an ethnographic museum and an art gallery.

In Dubrovnik, there are currently quite a few 4-5 hotels with good service. The beaches here alternate – there are platform beaches, pebble beaches, but, however, there is less vegetation here compared to Central Dalmatia. Dubrovnik is currently the most expensive resort in Croatia.

Dubrovnik’s Riviera includes several popular tourist towns such as Cavtat, Plat, Mljina, Slano and Stogn, and lovers of island vacations can go to Kolochep, Lopud, Korcula or Mljet, the latter of which is a national park.

What to do in Dubrovnik

Today, Dubrovnik is a fun and attractive resort city with a vibrant day and nightlife. Cruise ships from all over the world call at its port, its restaurants offer all the variety of the Adriatic’s gifts, and young people who speak all languages gather at the discos on its outskirts.

The cuisine in this region is rich in seafood and meat treats from lamb and mutton, with specialties including oysters and mussels from the bay near the town of Ston, as well as eels from the Neretva River. Southern Dalmatia is also known for its wines from the Pelješac Peninsula, especially such brands as Dingac, Postup, and Posip.

You can have a delicious meal almost everywhere, as Dubrovnik is famous for its restaurants, the most popular of which are Atlas club Nautika, Konavoski dvori, Vila Koruna, Orsan, Komin, Eden, Domino.

Dubrovnik has many bars and several discos. Those who like to walk will find a suitable place to choose from: Burbon Street – a street completely lined with bars; Hamingway – a Cuban-style cocktail bar; Otok; Jazz bar; Gradska kavana – for those who like a relaxed atmosphere; Rock Cafe – well, it’s obvious; discos: “Divinae Follie” – Italian and very loud; “Esperanza” – local and simple; “Latino club” – located near the Old Town and suitable for all ages.

In addition to organized excursions from Dubrovnik, you can visit several interesting places on your own: the picturesque and romantic island of Lokrum; the aquarium, which is located in the old town; the market in the port of Gruc, where you can always buy fresh fruit and homemade wine; a panoramic platform on the top of Mount Srđ, which offers a magnificent view of the city and the islands; the city park; the port of the old town, from which tourist boats go to Cavtat, Platja and Mlina.

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Stay in the historic part

If you are thinking of saving money by settling on the mainland, this idea will definitely cost you disappointment. After all, mainland Venice is not the city you dreamed of seeing: to get to the historic center, you will have to overcome more than one kilometer.
There are many hotels in Venice, literally for every budget. On average, a double room in a four-star hotel costs from 100 euros per night. Renting an apartment will cost a little less – 80-90 euros per day. But be prepared for the fact that Venetian hospitality does not always leave a pleasant impression.

Wander the narrow streets

Never buy a tourist card in Venice! It’s better not to even use a navigator for a while. The fact is that by denying yourself the privilege of knowing your location every minute, you will begin to enjoy your walk and fully experience the atmosphere of this beautiful, romantic city. Don’t be afraid to get lost in its labyrinths or get into a dead end – it’s quite easy to get out of there. Just relax and allow yourself to wander leisurely through the narrow streets, crossing small canals on miniature bridges.
Tip: if a large hotel or hostel is not difficult to find, then an apartment in a small corner is easy to overlook. After checking in, mark your home address on a Google map so that you don’t spend a lot of time looking for it later.

Dine in a real trattoria

Do you want to feel the charm of “little Italy”? Avoid visiting large, let alone chain restaurants on the main streets, near the Grand Canal. There you will find nothing but exorbitant prices, crowded tourists, and arrogant waiters.
Move away from the center, inland, as far away from the tourist trails and luxurious sights as possible. After all, it is there that the “soul of Venice” lives, with its charisma, perky laughter, heartfelt conversations of locals and incredibly delicious home cooking. Remember: the less solemn pomp, the more hospitable the place and the tastier the food.

Walk around the city at night

Do you want to see the real Venice? Without the crowds of tourists, the din of souvenir sellers, and garbage dumps on every corner? Go for a walk in the evening, no earlier than ten o’clock. You will be surprised when closer to midnight, you won’t see a single soul on the streets of this noisy, crowded city. All the central sights, small courtyards and even the squares themselves – you will find all of them empty, but more alive and free than ever. It is at night that you can see and truly feel how beautiful the Doge’s Palace is, how majestic and inspiring Piazza San Marco is, and the incredible views from the Bridge of the Constitution.

Listen to a concert in La Fenice

La Fenice (translated from Italian as “the phoenix”) is the spiritual center of Italian opera and one of the world’s most beloved opera houses, which has risen like a phoenix from the ashes twice – the first time after a fire in 1774 and the second time after court battles. It was last revived in 2004 to once again inspire audiences with symphony concerts, opera and ballet.
Take care of your tickets in advance (preferably before your trip), because they will no longer be available on the day of the next premiere. And remember that no trip to the romantic Venetian lagoon can be called complete without the magnificent music of Vivaldi in a luxurious baroque atmosphere.

See San Marco at dawn

Do not be lazy to get up a little earlier than usual for such a miracle! Take a coffee with you and slowly walk through the empty city to the square: at this time there will be no tourists, only midnight photographers and sleepy locals.
You can watch the sunrise in Venice from 5 am. Choose a place on the waterfront or on one of the benches near the Doge’s Palace and get ready to enjoy the beauty of the most delicate sky colors. Smell the fresh aroma of the sea and seaweed, hear the muffled chimes, and watch the deep matte marsh-blue color of the water turn into golden-red tints.

Get to the bell tower of an ancient Catholic church

There are many incredibly beautiful old churches in Venice, but very few of them have been preserved in their original form. Most of them have been restored or rebuilt, but they have not become less attractive.
If you are curious and prefer to seek adventure anywhere in the world, take a walk along the Grand Canal at noon and enter one of the Catholic churches. Sometimes museum curators (depending on the number of visitors and their attitude to local cultural monuments) can show tourists not only publicly accessible sights, but also places that are closed to the public.

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The history of Greece dates back to ancient times. Undoubtedly, Greek civilization is of great importance for the entire modern world. World art, science, politics, philosophy, and languages are closely linked to the culture and history of Greece.

It is located in the south of Europe, on the Balkan Peninsula. The area, together with the islands adjacent to the coast of Asia Minor, is almost 132,000 km². The population is more than 10 million people. The capital of Greece, Athens, is one of the oldest and most beautiful cities in the world, founded in about the 7th millennium BC.

Ancient Greece consisted of about 1,500 separate city-states, the largest of which was Athens. The “Golden Age” in the history of Greece is considered to be the 5th century BC. This period is primarily associated with the rise of this city-state.

The city of Athens is named after the Greek goddess. It was she who gave the city the best gift – an olive tree. Poseidon competed with her and gave the citizens water. At first they were happy, but when they found out that it was salty, Athena was recognized as the winner.

Greece is known for its beautiful nature, fascinating history, and rich culture. This relatively small country has made a huge contribution to world culture: medicine, politics, art, literature, and theater. To this day, the ancient Greek myths serve as a source of inspiration for many people, are studied and retold.

It is rightly called the “cradle of European civilization”, the birthplace of democracy and philosophy, mathematics and physics, as well as the Olympic Games. Ancient archaeological sites and a rich cultural heritage make Greece one of the most mysterious countries in Europe. Interestingly, the official name of the country is Hellas. The Greeks themselves use the word “Greece”, which has Latin roots, only in communication with foreigners.

It was in ancient Greece that the first philosophical concepts were formulated, which laid down the fundamental knowledge of the universe that is used by modern science.

The Greek historian Herodotus literally became the “father of history”; his historical works are the models for the works of subsequent generations of historians.

The Greek physician Hippocrates became the “father of medicine,” and his famous “Hippocratic Oath” still expresses the moral and ethical principles of a doctor’s behavior.

The playwright Aeschylus became the creator of theatrical drama, and his contribution to theater art and the development of theater is enormous.

As well as the enormous contributions of the Greeks Archimedes and Pythagoras to the development of mathematics. And the philosopher Aristotle can be called the “father of science” in the broadest sense of the word, since it was Aristotle who formulated the fundamental principles of scientific knowledge of the world.

Greece is filled with various attractions, many of which date back to ancient times. In Greece – in Athens or Delphi, in Thebes or Meteora, on the holy mountain of Athos or in rocky monasteries – everything impresses with the richness of architecture and interesting sights.

The best examples of ancient Greek architecture, sculpture, and art are in some ways unsurpassed, and new generations of artists study them, and researchers are trying to unravel the mystery of their harmony and aesthetic impact. Europe has been returning to this great ancient heritage time and again in its cultural and political development.

An ancient legend about the creation of the world says that Greece appeared when God sifted the earth and threw the stones left in the sieve over his shoulder. They became the foundation of this country.

Greece has more than 2,000 islands, of which almost 200 are inhabited by people. The most famous is the island of Crete, it is the largest. The whole history, culture and modern life of this island is woven out of paradoxes. This is its magnetic power and magic. In fact, the history of Greece and Greek civilization begins on the island of Crete in about the sixth millennium BC, in the Neolithic era.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Crete is its history. After all, this island was the birthplace of the oldest known civilization in Europe, the Minoan civilization. It originated more than 4,000 years ago and was so highly developed that archaeologists are still finding its remains. We are talking about ancient artifacts: dishes, weapons, works of art.

The ancient Greeks considered Crete to be the birthplace of Zeus. It was there that his mother, Rhea, gave birth to the future thunderer and hid him from his father, the titan Cronus, who devoured his children. Having given him to the nymphs for upbringing, Rhea rescued Zeus and he, already being the head of Olympus, returned to his homeland. According to legend, the kings of ancient Crete, including the most prominent one, Minos, descended from Zeus. It was his wife who gave birth to the minotaur, a monster with the head of a bull and the body of a man.

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Vigeland Park is an insanely attractive and strange place in Oslo, it impresses with its originality and mystery, evoking different emotions in visitors: incomprehension, surprise, irritation, curiosity and admiration. These sculptures caused great controversy during the author’s lifetime and continue to do so today.

When creating sculptures, Vigeland emphasized the inner state of a person, which is reflected in his works.

The park features 227 sculptures made of bronze, granite and wrought iron. Each sculpture reflects the complexity and versatility of human nature, the whole range of emotions and contradictions: stormy joy, care, self-sacrifice, anger and despair, fear and anxiety. The sculptures laugh and cry, are born and die.

Most of them depict people in various activities, such as hugging, running, wrestling, dancing, etc.

The Garden of People, as the sculpture park is also called, is not just a reflection of the author’s views on the world, it is an attempt to convey the psychology of people who are so different and yet so similar.

Human time on earth is only a part of the eternal cycle of time movement without beginning and end. All the creations have a deep philosophical meaning, depicting human life from the moment of birth to death.

Almost all the sculptures presented in the park are nude. Most of the sculptures are arranged in compositions that amaze the imagination and make you think.

The playground is an illustration of the first year of human life. Here you can also meet four babies who represent the four human temperaments. The most famous of the babies is an angry boy, who has long been the emblem of the park.

The rest of the park is an illustration of human life in all its manifestations. For example, there are 58 sculptures on the bridge dedicated to the relationship between a man and a woman and the relationship between adults and children in all possible colors and shades.

Right behind the bridge is a group of fountains. One of them – “The Burden of Life” – represents the cycle of human life. There are compositions around the perimeter of the fountain that represent different stages in a person’s life.

The trees of life represent first love and first loss, loneliness and harmony, happy offspring and even death.

The culmination of the Garden of People is the Monolith Plateau, in the center of which is a grandiose 17-meter obelisk – the pinnacle of Gustav Vigeland’s work, of which he said: “This is my religion”.

The monolith consists of intertwined human bodies depicting the whirlpool of life. At the bottom are the dead bodies of those who did not survive the general struggle for life and the elderly. Closer to the top are young people, and at the very top of the Monolith are babies. Moving upward is a movement toward the light, a desire to comprehend the divine, to become closer to the spiritual, and a movement into the future.

Each sculpture is imbued with imagery and symbolism of different cultures. This is the main reason why Vigeland Park differs from other sculpture parks around the world.

The author wanted to convey to the viewers the idea that the meaning of life lies in spirituality and the pursuit of light forces.

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The bridge, which connects the island of Borneo with the Sporenburg peninsula, was built in 2001 in a high-tech style. It was designed by Adriaan Heise for the West 8 architectural firm. Later, the bridge won the title of the most beautiful pedestrian bridge in the world.

The name of the bridge fully reflects its peculiarity – it is shaped like a snake, bending from bank to bank, so it was named Python.

The bright red bridge is 90 meters long and is equipped with very beautiful handrails with many intricacies, which makes its appearance even more attractive. The main material for it was high-strength steel, capable of withstanding enormous loads.

Despite its metal construction, many people like it almost as much as the elegant medieval stone bridges over the canals that abound in Amsterdam. The Python Bridge is considered a true work of art, not just an architectural structure.

Due to the very curved span and steep stairs, the bridge is exclusively pedestrian, even cyclists cross it on foot, pushing their bikes up a specially equipped ramp.

It has become the best example of the creativity and freedom of Dutch craftsmen.

This amazing bridge looks really fantastic and seems as if it takes us to some other, magical and fairy-tale world.

Due to its unusual shape, the Python Bridge is always included in the ratings of the most beautiful bridges in the world.

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The Vatican does not have its own official language. Documents are most often published in Italian and Latin, and people speak English, Italian, French, German, Spanish, and other languages.

The Vatican is an enclave state: it is completely located within the territory of another country, Italy. The Vatican, despite its tiny size, has everything that is usually associated with the concept of a state: its own army, postal and telegraph services, its own postage stamps, its own radio station, mint, national flag, and even a small prison, which, however, has been empty for years.

On the territory of 0.44 km² there is perhaps the richest collection of works of art in the world. Its palaces, libraries, and archives contain books, documents, and works of art whose value to humanity is expressed not so much in monetary terms as in cultural and historical terms. Michelangelo’s wall frescoes in the Sistine Chapel, depicting the Last Judgment, are among the most impressive works of Western art.

One of the most magnificent churches in the Vatican is St. Peter’s Basilica. This temple really impresses with its beauty, sculptures, altars, statues, tombstones, wall paintings, size and architecture.

St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest building in the Vatican and one of the largest Christian churches in the world. It is among the ten tallest churches in the world. The construction lasted 120 years. A huge 136-meter dome rises above the cathedral, and it is one of the symbols of Rome.

The Vatican Library is one of the richest book collections in the world. It houses the largest collection of manuscripts from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. The library’s funds include about 1.6 million printed books and 150 thousand manuscripts. Only the Vatican has a collection of such value and scope. There is also a secret archive where personal collections and royal collections are kept. In total, the library has 13 halls, each of which has its own funds, and there is also the Biblioteca segreta archive, which contains especially valuable and classified documents. Only the Pope has access to some of them.

In June 1475, the opening of the Vatican Library was documented. However, the collection of books and the creation of archives began much earlier, in the fourth century.

The library also owns a laboratory for the restoration of ancient documents and manuscripts and a School of Librarians.

The Vatican authorities have digitized their entire library and provided free access to everyone.

The Vatican is the only state that is fully on the UNESCO list. Given its high historical value and cultural significance.

There are no traffic lights in this country. And 95% of Vatican City residents are men.

The Vatican is home to the world’s oldest pharmacy, founded in 1277. It sells rare medicines that are not always found in Italy.

The Vatican is a vast complex that has been built over the centuries and has been the residence of the Popes since 1377.

However, the main treasure of the Vatican is its museums. They include a complex of unique buildings and the most valuable collections of antiquities.

The Gregorian Etruscan Museum, located in the palace of Innocent VIII, has 18 halls. It presents household items of ancient settlements from the early Bronze Age, which is the 9th-8th centuries BC. Each hall tells a story in chronological order, demonstrating frescoes, ivory, statues and luxurious dishes.

The Historical Museum is extremely interesting. A collection of carriages, cars, and various paraphernalia that can be used to trace the history of the Vatican. There is also a collection of contemporary church art, galleries of ethnographic maps, candelabra, and a chariot hall.

The Vatican museums are a step into history, religion, and art, revealing the unknown secrets of the past.

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