Rome Bike Tours and 10 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About the Vatican

When people book Rome bike tours, they often think about the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain. But one of the most fascinating stops you can explore while cycling through the Eternal City is the mysterious and powerful Vatican City.

Smallest country in the world. Center of the Catholic Church. Home of Michelangelo’s masterpieces.

Yet beyond its fame, the Vatican hides secrets, curiosities, and surprising stories that most visitors never hear about.

Here are 10 surprising facts you probably didn’t know about the Vatican — and why discovering them during a Rome bike experience makes everything even more unforgettable.

1. The Vatican Is the Smallest Country in the World

Vatican City covers just 44 hectares (110 acres).

To put it in perspective, you could walk across the entire country in less than 30 minutes. Despite its size, it has:

• Its own postal system
• Its own radio station
• Its own passport
• Its own laws
• Its own flag

It is officially a sovereign state, independent from Italy since 1929.

Small in size, enormous in influence.

2. It Has Its Own Army

The colorful guards you see in Renaissance uniforms are not just for show.

The Swiss Guard, established in 1506, is the official army of the Vatican and one of the oldest active military units in the world. To become a Swiss Guard, you must:

• Be Swiss
• Be Catholic
• Have completed Swiss military training
• Be unmarried
• Meet strict physical requirements

And yes — they are fully trained professionals.

3. St. Peter’s Basilica Is Not the Vatican’s Cathedral

Surprising, right?

Although St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest church in the world and the spiritual heart of Catholicism, it is not the Pope’s cathedral.

The official cathedral of Rome is St. John Lateran, located on the other side of the city.

4. The Vatican Has a Secret Archive

The Vatican Apostolic Archive (formerly called the Secret Archive) contains over 50 miles of shelving filled with historical documents.

Among its treasures:

• Letters from Michelangelo
• Correspondence from Napoleon
• Documents related to Galileo
• Letters from Henry VIII

Access is extremely restricted, making it one of the most mysterious archives in the world.

5. Michelangelo Didn’t Want to Paint the Sistine Chapel

Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor, not a painter.

When Pope Julius II commissioned him to paint the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, he initially refused. He even believed the project was designed to make him fail.

Four years later, he created one of the greatest masterpieces in human history.

Sometimes, even geniuses doubt themselves.

6. Vatican City Has Its Own Train Station

Few people know that the Vatican has a small railway station built in 1934.

Although rarely used, it connects Vatican City to the Italian railway network. Today, it is occasionally used for special papal journeys and limited tourist experiences.

Yes — you can technically take a train into the smallest country in the world.

7. It Owns Property Outside Its Walls

The Vatican doesn’t end at the famous walls surrounding St. Peter’s Square.

It owns several buildings across Rome that enjoy extraterritorial status, meaning they are legally part of Vatican territory.

This includes basilicas, offices, and even summer residences.

8. The Dome of St. Peter’s Has a Hidden Workout

Climbing to the top of St. Peter’s Dome requires 551 steps.

At the top, you are rewarded with one of the most breathtaking panoramic views in Rome. From above, you can see the perfect symmetry of St. Peter’s Square and the entire city stretching into the horizon.

And after that climb, you’ve definitely earned your gelato.

9. Vatican Citizenship Is Temporary

You cannot be born a Vatican citizen.

Citizenship is granted based on employment or role within the Vatican. Once the position ends, citizenship is revoked.

It is one of the only countries in the world where citizenship is purely functional.

10. The Vatican Museums Are Massive

The Vatican Museums contain over 70,000 works of art, with around 20,000 on display.

If you spent one minute looking at each piece, it would take you months to see everything.

That’s why exploring Rome beyond museum walls — feeling the city, cycling its streets — adds a whole new dimension to the experience.

Discover the Vatican with Rome Bike Tours

While you cannot cycle inside Vatican City itself, arriving there on one of the best Rome bike tours offers a completely different perspective.

Imagine riding along the Tiber River at sunset.
Crossing historic bridges.
Seeing St. Peter’s Dome slowly appear on the horizon.

An e-bike allows you to:

• Explore comfortably
• Avoid traffic
• Cover more ground
• Experience Rome like a local

Instead of rushing between landmarks, you glide through history.

And when the Vatican appears before you, it feels earned.

Experience Rome by Night on Two Wheels

One of the most magical ways to experience the Vatican and Rome’s historic center is during the evening.

The city becomes quieter.
The monuments glow.
The atmosphere turns romantic and cinematic.

The Rome by Night E-Bike Tour with Food and Wine Tasting combines:

• Effortless electric biking
• Illuminated monuments
• Authentic Italian food and wine
• A unique and intimate atmosphere

Cycling through Rome at night offers unforgettable views of St. Peter’s Dome lit against the dark sky, followed by stops at iconic landmarks like the Pantheon, Piazza Venezia, and the Trevi Fountain.

It’s not just a tour.

It’s a sensory experience.

See the Vatican — and All of Rome — Differently

The Vatican may be the smallest country in the world, but its stories are immense.

And the best way to connect those stories to the living, breathing city around it is on two wheels.

Ready to explore Rome from a new perspective?

👉 Discover the Rome by Night E-Bike Tour with Food and Wine Tasting

With the right ride, even the smallest country in the world becomes part of the biggest adventure of your trip.