Vatican City, Rome, Italy Jul 23, 2025

In the middle of Rome, Italy, lies an entire country of its own: Vatican City. At less than 0.5 square kilometres, 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
Jul 23, 2024Methoni Castle, Messinia, Greece

More Desktop Wallpapers:

The sprout with amazing potential
Sep 11, 2023Médoc, France
Where are these prickly pears?
Feb 25, 2024Cowichan Valley, Vancouver Island, Canada
Nov 2, 2023Death Valley National Park, California
Sep 26, 2025Least chipmunk, Kootenai National Forest, Montana, United States
Dec 29, 2023Oud-West neighbourhood, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bright blue lakes and rugged mountains
One on land, a million in space
Sep 20, 2023Aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland
Dec 14, 2023Boreal owl
Sep 25, 2024Giant sequoias, Sequoia National Park, California, USA
A plant for all occasions
Nov 8, 2023Crystal River, Three Sisters Spring, Florida, USA
Look up, incoming…
A vibrant, sun-drenched island
Fit for a fairytale
On the trail of the Indian eagle-owl
Pearl among the emeralds
Apr 27, 2025Coastal redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United States
Feb 3, 2025Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England
Jan 26, 2025Republic Day
A gorge-ous place to drop in
Sep 7, 2023Camels in the desert, United Arab Emirates
Mar 15, 2024Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California, USA
Jul 5, 2024Daintree Rainforest and Noah Beach, Queensland, Australia
Sep 27, 2023Via Krupp, Capri, Italy
Apr 5, 2024The Bahamas
Dec 23, 2023Chinstrap penguins
May 30, 2025Little Pigeon River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States