The hidden jewel of Vatican City are its gardens that are preserved within the enclave of the sovereign city-state.
These luscious and intricately designed gardens sprawl over 44 hectares behind St. Peter’s Basilica, the Apostolic Palace and the Vatican Museums.
Apart from being enjoyed for their beauty, the different elements of the gardens serve a variety of functions. They hold religious monuments and serve as a space for prayer and contemplation for the pope and other Vatican officials. They are used to host certain ceremonies and events. They are also preservation sites for an endangered range of Italian flora.
What are the Vatican gardens called?
The Vatican gardens are more popularly referred to as the Papal gardens. Covering quite large grounds, these gardens are divided into various segments:
- The Pope’s orchard: These orchards include more commonly Italian fruit trees such as that of lemons and oranges. They also include endangered native Italian species that were donated to the Vatican as part of conservation efforts. These include very particular species of almond, apple, pear, plum and pomegranate trees.
- The Italian gardens: Reflecting the aesthetics of the Italian Renaissance, these gardens are designed with symmetry, geometry and balance in mind. This means a lot of maze-like hedges, ornamental sculptures and fountains and flowerbeds of roses and lavender can be found.
- The English garden: Characteristic of the natural English countryside, this garden in the Vatican has irregularly shaped flower clusters, sweeping lanes and softer water features like ponds.
Each garden is very distinct in its style, but are ultimately havens for the pope (as well as those who visit!) to retreat to. It is important to note that there are more gardens within the papal estate than the ones listed here.
In the midst of these gardens, several buildings punctuate them such as the Governor’s Palace, the State Court and the Vatican Railway Station.
Vatican gardens opening hours
The Vatican gardens are open from Monday to Saturday from 8 AM-7 PM.
On Sundays the gardens are generally closed. Sometimes for special openings they may stay open on Sundays, or alternatively, may be reserved and closed during the weekdays.
You should always make sure to check the official website of the Vatican Museums as these openings may be subject to change.
Is it worth going to the Vatican gardens?
If the Vatican is as sacred as it is, then walking through its private gardens that are usually closed to the public is as special an experience as can be.
A garden gives life to a space, and through its design and care, shows the thought and effort put into nurturing that space. The Vatican gardens are no different; they mirror the significance of the Catholic Church and the Holy See.
Through the unique experience of a Vatican gardens walking tour you will be able to get a glimpse into the private side of the city-state. These gardens are not just a place of beauty, but they also hold a lot of historical and artistic value.
For example, the Grotto of Lourdes is a replica of the important Catholic pilgrimage site , the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes, France. Those who are not able to perform the original pilgrimage in France can always come to this replica with its stone rock formations and Virgin Mary statue. Here, they can light candles and votives and offer prayers and reflection.
Another site within the gardens is that of the Renaissance villa Casina Pio IV. This serves as the Pontifical Academy for Sciences and Social Sciences. Here, the Catholic Church puts efforts toward the advancement of research on the amalgamation of science and spirituality.
You would not know about these distinctive elements if you don’t tour the papal gardens.
Gardens of Vatican City photos:
These portray different viewpoints of the Italian gardens and the various sculptures that can be found there.
How to visit the Vatican gardens?
Is it free to enter the Vatican gardens?
Admission is not free, and requires for you to acquire tickets. It is also not possible to access them independently; you will need to pre-book a guided tour that comes with a Vatican City gardens entrance fee.
To buy gardens of Vatican City tickets tourists can rely on:
- Vatican garden tickets official site: Here you can opt for tickets that allow you access to the papal gardens on wheels (if part of a city tour) or by foot. These tours are not as meticulously guided.
- Vatican gardens walking tour: A properly curated walking tour of the gardens, however, will delve deeper into their different, fascinating components. Walks Inside Rome offers an enlivening Vatican gardens tour.
How long is the Vatican gardens tour?
When Walks Inside Rome aids your visit of the Vatican gardens, you can be assured that all bases will be covered. The duration of the tour will therefore depend on your customization of it.
After you visit the Vatican gardens you will also be given skip-the-line access to the Vatican Museums, which take at least two hours to see on your own, and three with a guide.
The tour of the papal gardens can be estimated to be under two hours. During this time you will be whisked into different parts of the gardens, and enveloped by their histories, spirituality and landscape design.
The Vatican gardens will come alive as an important zone for holistic activity. You will see the pope’s orchard, where produce is grown to be eaten.
You will peek at the Vatican heliport, the Vatican Radio tower, the Lourdes Grotto and a plethora of sculptures and fountains, such as the Fountain of the Eagle.
The stories held within the architecture of these gardens will layer on a richness to your understanding of life at the Vatican.
