Vatican City, Rome, Italy 23 Jul 2025

Vatican City, Rome, Italy

In the middle of Rome, Italy, lies an entire country of its own: Vatican City. At just 121 acres, it"s the smallest independent nation in the world, yet its reach spans centuries and continents. Home to the pope and the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church, this walled enclave is a blend of art, history and devotion. At its core stands St Peter"s Basilica. Seen in the distance in today"s image, this Renaissance masterpiece is built over what is believed to be the tomb of Saint Peter, the first Bishop of Rome. With its soaring dome dominating the skyline, the basilica is one of the largest churches in the world. Just beyond the basilica lies St. Peter"s Square, where thousands gather for papal blessings.

© RudyBalasko/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Hello, is it tea you’re looking for?
Stealthy pollinators
23 Jul 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece

More Desktop Wallpapers:

13 Nov 2023Serra de Tramuntana, Balearic Islands, Majorca, Spain
A day for cousins of every stripe
29 Apr 2024Fujian Tulou, China
12 Mar 2024Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Go with the flow
12 Oct 2025Village of Saranac Lake, New York, United States
11 Feb 2026Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California, USA
13 Dec 2024Christmas market, St Stephens Basilica, Budapest, Hungary
5 Dec 2025Maya site of Copán
25 Dec 2023Christmas Day
12 Jun 2025Big Bend National Park, Texas, United States
28 Jun 2024Stonewall uprising anniversary
31 Oct 2024Happy Halloween!
27 Feb 2026International Polar Bear Day
Singing the blues
When art imitates life
5 Aug 2025Tide pools in La Jolla, California, United States
5 Dec 2023Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles, Bavaria, Germany
20 Jun 2025Maasai giraffe mother with calf in the Serengeti, Tanzania
11 Dec 2025International Mountain Day
The rolling hills of Moravia
Stones on the solstice
11 Dec 2024International Mountain Day
24 Aug 2025Notting Hill Carnival
16 Jul 2025Temple of Philae, Aswan, Egypt
23 Jul 2025Vatican City, Rome, Italy
2 Jan 2025Ardez village, Graubunden, Switzerland
11 Mar 2024Koala
16 Jun 2025World Sea Turtle Day
Aug 27, 2023Jeju Island, South Korea