Vatican Gardens

The Vatican Gardens (Latin: Horti Civitatis Vaticanae; Italian: Giardini Vaticani) are exceptionally beautiful private gardens and parkland dating back to the 16th century in Vatican City, located within the city of Rome. The gardens cover more than half of the country, are owned by the Pope, and are considered the world’s smallest sovereign state.

Below is our Ultimate Guide to the Vatican Gardens. All provided information and facts are checked and updated in February 2026.

Things to Know before Visiting the Vatican Gardens

What are the Vatican Gardens?

Their grounds cover 23 hectares (57 acres), with the highest point at 60 metres (200 ft) on Vatican Hill. You’ll need to plan your visit, as entry is only possible with a reservation. The gardens are often described as the Pope’s private retreat, which you can visit on a two-hour walking-and-bus tour.

The Vatican Gardens are surrounded by stone walls to the north, south and west.

They were established during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and there are various fountains and sculptures throughout the gardens. However, there is no public access except via special group tours organised by the Vatican. There are also 16 Marian images revered worldwide, placed at the designation of the Roman Pontiff (the Pope), the owner of the gardens. As well as greenery, sculptures and fountains, the grounds include the Governor’s Palace and Vatican Radio. You can see the gardens when you climb up the dome of St Peter’s Basilica, from one of the highest viewpoints in Rome.

History of the Vatican Gardens

According to pious tradition, the site of the Vatican Gardens was covered with sacred soil brought from Mount Calvary by Saint Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine. Through this gesture, she wanted symbolically to unite the blood of Jesus Christ with that shed by early Christians who died during the persecution of Emperor Nero. The Vatican Gardens date back to medieval times, when vineyards and orchards extended to the north of the Papal Apostolic Palace.

In 1279, Pope Nicholas III decided to move his residence back to the Vatican from the Lateran Palace, so the area became enclosed by walls

However, at the beginning of the 16th century, the gardens were redesigned during the pontificate of Pope Julius II. Donato Bramante’s plan proposed dividing the gardens into three new courtyards: the Cortili del Belvedere, the “della Biblioteca,” and the “della Pigna” (Pine Cone), in the Renaissance style.

Moreover, a rectangular labyrinth planted in box and decorated with Italian stone pines and cedars of Lebanon was added to the design. Today, the Vatican Gardens contain many medieval buildings and monuments from the 9th century to the present day, alongside flowers and greenery. One of the gardens’ most notable features is an artificial grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes (Grotta di Lourdes), a replica of the Lourdes Grotto in France, as well as an olive tree donated by the government of Israel.

Tours of the Vatican Gardens (updated: February 2026)

The Vatican offers tours of its gardens, most of which are in English and take place in the morning. Tours typically run between 08:30 and 09:30. Read about my experience of the Group Tour of the Vatican Gardens.

Interesting Facts about the Vatican Gardens

1. The House of the Gardener, located within the Vatican Gardens, is the smallest building in Vatican City. This tiny house was built in 1776 and has just one room. It was originally used by the gardener to store his tools.
2. At the end of the guided tour of the Vatican Gardens, visitors have direct access to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. This means you can explore the art and history of Vatican City after a peaceful walk through the gardens.
3. Vatican Radio, located within the Vatican Gardens, broadcast in 45 languages worldwide and was created by Marconi in 1931. This radio station is still in operation today and is one of the most important Catholic media outlets in the world.
4. Vatican City, including its gardens, is recognised as a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it is the only site that encompasses an entire country. This means Vatican City, with all its historical and cultural treasures, is protected as a single entity.
5. The present structure of the gardens is attributed to Pope Julius II, but further work was carried out under Popes Clement VII and Paul III. They designed the “secret garden” within the Vatican Gardens. This secluded area was used as a private retreat for the popes.
6. Pope Paul IV commissioned the construction of a small palace surrounded by lush vegetation. It is known as “Casina di Pio IV” (the little house of Pius IV) and is home to the Pontifical Academy of Sciences. This beautiful building is a hidden gem in the Vatican Gardens.
7. Another garden with radiating pathways sits in front of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences and is bordered by geometric hedges. It is known as “Giardino dei Semplici” and is used for growing medicinal herbs. This garden is a peaceful spot for those interested in the healing properties of plants.
8. Water for the fountains inside the Vatican Gardens comes from the Trajan Aqueduct from Lake Bracciano, which was renovated in the 1600s by Pope Paul IV. This aqueduct still supplies water to Vatican City today, ensuring the fountains and gardens remain lush and green.
9. Throughout history, different animals lived in the gardens, such as goats, deer and gazelles. These animals were kept in a special section of the gardens called the “Zoo Garden”. Today, there are no animals living in the Vatican Gardens.
10. The Vatican Gardens are clearly visible from the dome of St Peter’s Basilica. Climbing to the top of the dome is a great way to get a bird’s-eye view of the gardens and the rest of Vatican City.

Watch our vlog about the Eternal City and a private tour of St Peter’s Basilica, Square, plus instructions on how to climb up the dome. You can book this tour here. Discover a breathtaking view of the gardens from the dome of the Basilica in our video.

Author: Kate Zusmann

I’ve lived in the Eternal City for the past 12 years. They say every corner of Rome holds a story, and I’m here to share some of the most fascinating historical facts and local legends.

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