Vatican City, Rome, Italy Jul 23, 2025

In the middle of Rome, Italy, lies an entire country of its own: Vatican City. At just 49 hectares, 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

Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Feb 1, 2026Colourful house in Olinda, Brazil
Oct 8, 2024Mototi octopus
Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece
Nov 24, 2025Gwalior Fort, Madhya Pradesh, India
Feb 2, 2026Alpine marmots, Hohe Tauern National Park, Austria
Feb 3, 2026Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe, California, United States
Nov 6, 2025Wat Phra That Hariphunchai, Lamphun, Thailand
Nov 5, 2024Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Oct 3, 2024Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Aug 24, 2024Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, USA
Jul 18, 2024Coral reef in the Indian Ocean, Mayotte, France
Mar 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Jun 29, 2024Beech forest in Nienhagen, Germany
Sep 8, 2025Library@orchard, Singapore
Sep 13, 2023Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, India
Jan 17, 2025Brown pelican, San Diego, California, United States
Sep 21, 2023Inside the Nobel Peace Centre, Oslo, Norway
Feb 17, 2025Coll dAres, Catalan Pyrenees
Feb 4, 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria
Jul 21, 2024Kendwa village, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Aug 13, 2025Corona Arch near Moab, Utah, United States
Feb 4, 2026Red kite in snow
Oct 27, 2023Sligachan Old Bridge, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Dec 8, 2025Domaso, Lake Como, Italy
Mar 23, 2024Large anvil clouds, Amazon, Brazil
Feb 12, 2026Blue-footed booby, Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Oct 25, 2023Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Utah, USA
Feb 7, 2026Salar de Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia
Feb 7, 2025Blue hour in Trondheim, Norway
Sep 25, 2024Giant sequoias, Sequoia National Park, California, USA