-
(#12) Phone Use Is Limited
While you can take your phone with you into the Vatican museum, you are strongly discouraged from using it. However, if an emergency comes up, you are technically allowed to. Because complete silence is required in the Sistine Chapel, your phone must be either off or on silent mode while you're in the space.
-
(#9) You Have To Go Through A Metal Detector
In order to enter the Vatican museum, visitors must go through a metal detector. This is to ensure that no contraband items, including firearms, laser pointers, knives, and umbrellas, are brought into the museum. To save time, visitors are advised to inform staff members if they have these items before going through the metal detector.
-
(#5) You Can't Fly A Drone
Due to concerns over terrorism, the airspace over the Vatican is off-limits. This means that, not only is it off-limits to planes and helicopters, it's also off-limits to individually manned drones.
In 2015, two Israeli tourists were arrested for flying a drone over the Vatican. They didn't seem to have any ill intent - apparently they were just trying to get a good angle for their vacation photos - but the two men will most likely face police charges for violating the air space ban anyway.
-
(#3) Photography Is Allowed, But Restricted
In most parts of the Vatican, you are allowed to take photographs for personal use - with a few restrictions. You can't use flash photography, and you can't use selfie sticks or tripods.
In the Sistine Chapel, however, no photography whatsoever is permitted. If a guard sees you taking a picture anyway, they can and will insist that you delete it. Why? It's not due to concerns over accidental flashes damaging the art. Instead, it originally had to do with the chapel's restoration. When the Vatican began the massive undertaking in the 1980s, they decided to solicit outside funding. Nippon Television Network Corporation of Japan gave $4.2 million to restore the Sistine Chapel, with one condition: in exchange, Nippon TV gained exclusive rights to photography and video of the restored artwork.
Nippon's rights to the Sistine Chapel have expired, but the Vatican continues to enforce their no photography rule anyway.
-
(#1) You Must Dress Modestly
Like many religious institutions, the Vatican has a strictly enforced dress code. Knees and shoulders must be covered at all times. While short-sleeved shirts are permitted, long sleeves are ideal. Hats are also not allowed. Visitors whose clothing doesn't meet modesty standards are refused entry to the museum.
Considering how hot it can get in Italy during the summer, these requirements can be difficult for some visitors to meet. However, this type of dress code is actually quite common across the country, and not just in churches. The rules might apply in bars and restaurants, too.
-
(#8) Guide Dogs Are Allowed (But Must Be Announced In Advance)
In general, the Vatican doesn't allow animals on the premises. Exceptions are made for guide dogs for blind or partially-sighted people. Visitors intending to bring a guide dog have to inform the Vatican of this at least a day in advance. The dogs also need to be muzzled and leashed.
New Random Displays Display All By Ranking
About This Tool
The Vatican is the smallest country in the world and the seat of the Holy See, with a permanent population of about 800 people, mostly clergy. The Vatican was originally the center of the Papal State in the Middle Ages. After the territory of the Papal State was incorporated into Italy in 1870, the Pope retired to the Vatican. The residents of the Vatican are Catholics, and their daily lives and activities in the city also need to abide by strict Catholic rules.
This small independent country is located in the city of Rome and is the residence of Pope Francis. The random tool lists 12 strict rules that everyone at the Vatican must follow, you'd better check the relevant regulations before traveling.
Our data comes from Ranker, If you want to participate in the ranking of items displayed on this page, please click here.