Fascinating Vatican City Trivia Quiz

Answer: Walls

Vatican City is surrounded by large walls, most of which were built during the Renaissance or in medieval times. Most of these fortification walls were built in the 16th century, but do not completely enclose the city.

Answer: The Swiss Guard

The Papal Swiss Guard was founded in 1506. Their colorful silk uniforms can be seen in travel brochures of Vatican City. To be a member of this small but elite army, you must be male, Catholic, and have Swiss citizenship. All applicants must have at least a high school diploma or college degree, be at least 5'09" tall and between 19-30 years of age.

The uniform of the Swiss Guard weighs over eight lbs. and may be the heaviest used by any army today. They are also some of the most complex and hardest to make.

These men add much of the color that is seen when visiting Vatican City.

Answer: Palace of Sixtus V

The Apostolic Palace is also called the Palace of Sixtus the V (1520-1590). This building houses both residential apartments as well as administrative offices. Construction of the palace was begun in 1589 under the Papacy of Pope Sixtus V, hence the name.

Answer: Borgia

This apartment had been home to Pope Alexander VI whose birth name had been Rodrigo de Borgia. Under his papacy, his family became notorious for criminal activity that included many murders, rapes, bribery and theft among others. His apartments contained many frescoes painted by the 15th century master Pinturicchio. Upon the death of the pope in 1503, the apartment and its many rooms of artwork were locked up and abandoned until 1889 when after heavy and careful restoration the apartment was opened to the public.

Answer: St. Peter

Constantine, who was the first Christian emperor of Rome, ordered the building of a basilica. For the location he chose the location where Saint Peter was said to have buried after his crucifixion in 64 AD. This church was not completed until about 349 AD.

By the mid 15th century the basilica had fallen into ruin. In 1450 a new foundation was laid, but this new basilica was not finished until 1626. The two main architects involved were Bramante and Michelangelo. St. Peter's Basilica is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful buildings in the world.

Answer: Euro

In 2002, Vatican City switched over to the Euro as did many of the countries in Europe. Before that time they used the Vatican Lira which was minted in Rome and was legal tender in Rome and San Marino as well as in Vatican City. Today, while it uses the Euro, it does have its own set of Euro coins that are distinct from any other country.

Answer: Museum of Abstract Art

While Vatican City is a wonderful place to visit to see huge collections of many types of art, it does not have a museum dedicated to abstract art. The Etruscan and Egyptian Museums are exactly what they sound like. Both contain thousands of exhibits of ancient artifacts from these cultures.

The Pinacoteca Art Gallery contains works by Da Vinci, Caravaggio, Raphael and Giotto, just to name a few. Vatican City holds one of the most extensive collections of artwork and artifacts seen anywhere in the world.

Answer: Egyptian obelisk

At the center of St. Peters Square is a beautiful Egyptian obelisk. Built in the ancient Egyptian city of Heliopolis during the 5th dynasty, this impressive work of art took over a year to re-erect after it brought to Vatican City in the mid-16th century.

It was originally topped with a gilt ball that was believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar. The manner in which the obelisk was set up in the elaborate stonework floor of the square enabled it to be used as a sundial.

Answer: The Vatican Gardens

The beautifully ornate Vatican Gardens easily take up more than half of the land area of Vatican City. The Gardens were established during the Renaissance and Baroque eras and have many fountains and sculptures. These enclosed gardens take up over 57 acres and contain the point of highest elevation in Vatican City.

Answer: False

Vatican City has a typical Mediterranean climate. It has mild rainy winters from September to May. Summers, while hot and dry, are not desert-like. The large amount of fountains and relatively high elevation contribute to lots of morning dew, and occasional mist in the area.