Vatican Library, Rome

#614 among attractions in Rome

Library

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Map

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Facts and practical information

The Vatican Apostolic Library, more commonly known as the Vatican Library or informally as the Vat, is the library of the Holy See, located in Vatican City. Formally established in 1475, although it is much older—it is one of the oldest libraries in the world and contains one of the most significant collections of historical texts. It has 75,000 codices from throughout history, as well as 1.1 million printed books, which include some 8,500 incunabula. ()

Alternative names: Coordinates: 41°54'17"N, 12°27'16"E

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Stato della Città del VaticanoRome Italy

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Day trips

Vatican Library – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Vatican Museums, Borgia Apartments, St. Peter's Basilica, Apostolic Palace.

~80 ftNE
Museum, Art museum, Sacred and religious sites
Vatican Museums, Rome
1 min walk • The Vatican Museums, nestled within the heart of Vatican City in Rome, Italy, are a treasure trove of art and history, revered as one of the most significant cultural institutions in the world. Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, the museums are a...
~840 ftSE
Palace
Borgia Apartments, Rome
5 min walk • The Borgia Apartments, nestled in the heart of Vatican City in Rome, Italy, are a series of rooms rich in history and artistry. These rooms, located within the Apostolic Palace, were once the private residence of Pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo de Borgia, after whom they...
~780 ftSW
World’s largest basilica of Christianity
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome
4 min walk • St. Peter's Basilica stands as an iconic emblem of the Vatican City and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture in Rome, Italy. This colossal church, the largest in the world, is a central place of pilgrimage for Catholics and an exemplar of artistic...
~590 ftSE
Pope's official residence in Vatican
Apostolic Palace, Rome
3 min walk • The Apostolic Palace, also known as the Papal Palace, Vatican Palace, or Palace of the Vatican, is an iconic structure located within Vatican City, Rome. It is the official residence of the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church, and a site of great historical...
~670 ftS
Michelangelo's iconic painted ceiling
Sistine Chapel, Rome
4 min walk • The Sistine Chapel, nestled within the Vatican City in Rome, stands as a monumental testament to Renaissance art and religious reverence. This sacred site, consecrated in 1483, is renowned for its exquisite frescoes that adorn the interior, most notably the ceiling...
~940 ftS
Baroque architecture, Cemetery, History museum
Vatican Necropolis, Rome
5 min walk • Beneath the gilded opulence of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City lies the Vatican Necropolis, a historical treasure trove shrouded in the sacred and the mysterious. This ancient cemetery, resting in the heart of Rome, Italy, is a subterranean labyrinth where...
~780 ftS
Church, Vernacular architecture
Cappella Paolina, Rome
4 min walk • Nestled within the heart of Rome, the Cappella Paolina, or Pauline Chapel, stands as a hidden gem of artistic and religious significance. Located within the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican City, this intimate chapel is not as widely known as its neighbor, the Sistine...
~880 ftSE
City gate
Porta San Pellegrino, Rome
5 min walk • Nestled within the ancient walls of Vatican City lies Porta San Pellegrino, a gateway steeped in history and spiritual significance. This modest yet intriguing structure serves as one of the entrances to the smallest independent state in the world and is a point of...
~540 ftN
Square, Historical and heritage tours, Cultural tours
Pinecone, Rome
3 min walk • Nestled within the heart of Vatican City lies the Pigna, or Pinecone, a towering bronze sculpture that reigns as a centerpiece in the Vatican's Cortile della Pigna, or "Court of the Pinecone". This ancient sculpture, which once adorned a Roman fountain, is now part of...
~530 ftW
Palace
Casina Pio IV, Rome
3 min walk • Nestled within the verdant Vatican Gardens in Rome, Casina Pio IV is a historic gem that often goes unnoticed by the average tourist. This elegant villa, originally constructed in the 16th century, serves as a testament to the grandeur of Renaissance architecture...
~670 ftSE
Palace
Vatican Pharmacy, Rome
4 min walk • The Vatican loggias are a corridor space in the Apostolic Palace, originally open to the elements on one side, which were decorated in fresco around 1519 by Raphael's large team of artists, with Giovanni da Udine the main hand involved.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Vatican Library?

Nearby attractions include Vatican Museums, Rome (1 min walk), Gregorian Tower, Rome (1 min walk), The Gallery of Maps, Rome (1 min walk), Vatican City, Rome (3 min walk).

How to get to Vatican Library by public transport?

The nearest stations to Vatican Library:

Bus

Bastioni di Michelangelo • Lines: 23, 492 (5 min walk)
V.le Vaticano/Musei Vaticani • Lines: 49 (5 min walk)

Tram

Risorgimento/S. Pietro • Lines: 19 (6 min walk)
Ottaviano • Lines: 19 (11 min walk)

Train

Vatican City (9 min walk)
Roma San Pietro (16 min walk)

Metro

Ottaviano • Lines: A (10 min walk)
Cipro • Lines: A (10 min walk)

Ferry

Sant'Angelo • Lines: Battelli di Roma (19 min walk)
Ponte Cavour (27 min walk)

Light rail

Flaminio • Lines: Fc3 (33 min walk)