Giardini Vaticani (Gardens of Vatican City), Rome

The Gardens of Vatican City, also known as the Vatican Gardens, cover over half of the territory of the world’s smallest country. Located in the west of Vatican City, these private gardens are owned by the Pope and contain several important buildings, including Vatican Radio and the Governor’s Palace. The gardens, which span 23 hectares (or 57 acres), feature Renaissance and Baroque designs with fountains, sculptures, and sacred sites. They are enclosed by stone walls on three sides, with the highest point reaching 60 meters (or 197 feet) above sea level.

Though historically private, Pope Francis opened the gardens to the public in 2014, allowing visits with a guided tour. The gardens also house eighteen Marian images venerated worldwide at the Pope’s designation.

A pious tradition states that the gardens' foundation site was spread with sacred soil brought from Mount Calvary in Jerusalem by Empress Saint Helena, symbolically uniting the blood of Christ with that of early Christian martyrs persecuted by Emperor Nero.

Dating back to medieval times, the gardens originally consisted of orchards and vineyards north of the Papal Apostolic Palace. In 1279, Pope Nicholas III enclosed the area with walls and planted an orchard, a lawn, and a garden. Major renovations occurred in the early 16th century under Pope Julius II, when Donato Bramante redesigned the space into three Renaissance-style courtyards: the Belvedere, the Librarian, and the Pine Cone. He also added a boxwood labyrinth framed by Italian stone pines and cedars of Lebanon.

Additionally, the gardens house medieval fortifications, monuments from the 9th century, an artificial Our Lady of Lourdes grotto, and an olive tree donated by Israel. As you explore, you may come across the Vatican's little-known railway station, which has been transformed into a captivating museum showcasing coins and stamps produced within the Vatican. Another notable sight is the Tower of Saint John. Originally restored by Pope John XXIII as a retreat for work, it now serves as a distinguished residence for special guests.

A significant event occurred in 1921 when a fire destroyed the Our Lady of Loreto statue in the Basilica of Loreto. Pope Pius XI commissioned a replacement carved from Vatican Gardens' cedars. The Pope designated Saint Therese of Lisieux as the gardens’ Patroness in 1927, granting her the title of "Sacred Keeper of the Gardens" and constructing a small chapel in her honor near the Leonine Walls.

Tip:
To visit the gardens, you have the option of joining a two-hour guided tour or embarking on a 45-minute open-bus tour without any stops. It's important to note that visits must be booked in advance online, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience.