A meeting with the Pope of Rome, of course, should not take place here, but in life everything is possible. After all, it is along the paths of this garden that Pope Francis of Rome walks and jogs. And before him, it was done for several centuries by those who remained in history forever. Walking along these paths, they talked to God. It is impossible to think bad in the Vatican gardens. All this splendor is created to rest the body and sing the soul.
How the gardens appeared
The Vatican, as a state, was recognized in 1929, but its history began a long time ago. For more than three hundred years after the birth of Christ, this place was considered holy, therefore people did not live here. In 326, a basilica was built on the burial site of St. Peter, who was the first head of the Christian church. After that, they began to come here and settle in order to be closer to God. The Vatican gardens were founded by Pope Nicholas III, who built a new palace in the Vatican in the 13th century and made the first plantings. Originally a medicinal plant garden was located here. Over the next centuries, each pontiff contributed something of his own to the design of this part of the Vatican.
A place for rest and favorite work
The Pope has to work almost round the clock, so everything possible has been created here for outdoor recreation. And the inhabitants of this smallest state prefer their green wealth to the bustle of the city. Anyone has his own favorite corner, where someone prays and speaks to God, and someone just relaxes in the fresh air. 30 gardeners do their favorite work in this delightful corner of the Vatican, which occupies almost half of the state - about 23 hectares. Not a single plant is forgotten here and thanks for the care with its lush greenery or abundant and long flowering. This is facilitated by the Vatican Hills, which are very conveniently located. All plants are located on their southern side and are protected from the winds by the famous wall, which is now almost all covered with ivy from bottom to top, and does not look like an intimidating boulder. The mild climate of this part of Italy, where there is no frost, and the fertile land allows you to grow the most exotic plants.
In any summer, even dry, nature here smells fragrant thanks to the automatic irrigation system. Water became abundant after an aqueduct was built in the 17th century, supplying water from a lake located 40 kilometers away.
Every corner has its own era
The gardens were not originally planned as a single ensemble. Nobody sat down at the table and made their plan. Therefore, any corner here is its own era. Finding a place for yourself to rest and contemplate in this earthly paradise is not difficult. Pope Pius IV was a fan of park art and built several buildings during his reign. He surrounded them with fountains and waterfalls. In the XVII, Pope Clement XI was fond of the cultivation of rare subtropical plants. For this, a corner was created under the cover of a wall that would protect them from the winds. Over time, it turned into a whole forest of exotic plants, which, at the behest of man, coexist here perfectly. A banana tree and a blooming oleander are nowhere else in nature in the neighborhood. Everything is possible here.
English garden
The English garden, where Pope Francis loves morning jogging, is beautiful with its small waterfall - an exact copy of the present. There are also many statues and columns, picturesque fragments covered with the greenery of centuries. It would seem that they are scattered chaotically, but there is no discomfort in the perception of this picture, so skillfully the hand of a landscape architect entered them into this landscape.
Italian garden
The head gardener of the Vatican Gardens celebrates the beauty of the Italian Garden with its lush vegetation and rare species. The unique red acacia tree has flowers similar to a rooster's comb and blooms nine months a year. In this part of the gardens, azaleas bloom magnificently, planted in pots, placed on stands and right on the ground. Clay vessels, seemingly scattered in disarray, give this landscape an antiquity.
French gardens
The hallmark of this splendor has become the French gardens, the highlight of which are the green arches, in many places located above the paths. The gardeners' job here is to keep them in top condition. The yew that wraps around these arches needs to be trimmed regularly, as do the numerous curbs of this plant that frame the lawns. The same plant is the basis for beautiful compositions, which are aerobatics of topiary art.
From the point of view of landscape art, the Vatican gardens are not a model. Many people note the excessive eclecticism of the gardens, that is, a mixture of different styles. But that's the beauty of it. Where else can you find blooming magnolias, cacti of various colors, evergreen trees, cedars and African palms in the same garden? Despite the fact that all this variety feels great. African green parrots living in this garden and winding their nests are similar to birds of paradise. This must be seen, felt and breathed in with all the cells of the soul and body!
Truly the Garden of Eden!
How to get to the Vatican gardens
Unlike the Vatican museums, where everyone can get almost always, the entrance to the gardens is possible only as part of a group. There are few such groups, since, after all, this state is the current residence of the pope. For his safety, only a limited number of groups are created at a strictly defined time. Many people dream of visiting this paradise. This must be taken care of in advance. On the official website of the Vatican, you can buy a ticket online, then exchange it for paper at the entrance and ...
Visiting rules and recommendations for tourists
In order not to be excruciatingly painful that the time was wasted, it is necessary to prepare for this action in advance. It is not advisable to go to the Vatican in excessively open clothes. Better to let it be light, weightless and natural. Then light, loose trousers and a shirt will not be a burden for you even in the heat. You cannot tear anything in the garden, lag far from the guide and take pictures of the Swiss guards, who are the Pope's personal army and his guards. The same guard will inspect you at the entrance. No need to take bulky things, knives, tripods with you. You can enjoy landscapes and take pictures, capture, memorize. Take a spare memory card and charge the camera.
How to get there on your own
Fyucimino International Airport receives flights from all over the world. Buses or electric trains run directly from the terminal to Rome Termini Station. There is a subway under the station. Take line A to the Ottaviano-San-Pietro station, from there 10 minutes walk to St. Peter's Square. Bus number 64 leaves from the Roma station (Stazione Termini), number 60 from the Republic Square (Repubblica). Just ask the driver: "Vaticano?" Hiking trails for those staying in Rome itself is the best way to get to the Vatican. All roads here lead to the heart of the capital.
