The Vatican Secret Archives

Votes:

Available at a super reduced rate only on October 2nd 2017

User Rating: 5 / 5

This Unique Guided Tour will give you access to some of the marvels enshrined in the Vatican Secret Archives' 85 linear Kilometers of shelving; records of an extraordinary historical value, covering a time-span that stretches from the VIII to the XX century.
The Papal Archives (Archivio Segreto Vaticano) has served the Holy see for 400 years and is one of the most important and renowned research centers in the world.
This exclusive gives you access to places that are off-limits to the public, allowing you to see a side of the Vatican that most never will.
This special offer has 82% discount on the regular price and is only available on October 2nd 2017.

Itinerary:

You'll learn interesting stories about the people concerned in the documents and behind-the scenes facts and "curiosities" of the Vatican Secret Archives and everything that revolves around the world of ancient documents, through intriguing anecdotes and few secrets.
The tour will then allow you to climb up to the Vatican's first astronomy tower, the 200-foot-high Tower of the Winds. It was built in 1578 for the pope's astronomers to track the movements of the sun and stars, record the shifting directions of the wind. Because access is only via the Secret Archives, very few from the outside world set foot it in here.
At the top you'll visit the chambers bursting with color and succulent frescos spread across the 30-foot-high walls and a coin-sized hole in the wall revealing a tiny circle of sky. Every March 21a ray of sunlight will point at noon on an eight-pointed rosette in the floor to mark the spring equinox.

Meeting location: The meeting point will be just outside the Vatican Gate St. Anna protected by the swiss guards which is, facing St. Peter's Basilica, on the right hand side, just ouside the portico of St. Peter's Square. I will provide more precise details, maps and pics of the meeting spot via email after the booking.

End location: At the Starting point: Gate St. Anna, just behind the swiss guards.

Duration: 2 hours 30 min. (Duration may vary according to your pace, approx 2 hours 30 minutes leisurely walking)

What's included:

Admission Fees to the Vatican Secret Archives,
Special Permit to enter the Vatican private gate;
Security Permits and daily visitor visas;
Locker Rooms;
Vatican Surveillance escorting during the tour;

Activity level: Moderate

Tour Type: Cultural, Local Experiences

Kid Friendly: YES

Kid Friendly Information: No children under 18 years old are allowed inside the Secret Archives