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Vatican Radio

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Vatican Radio (Vatican)

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Vatican Radio is the official broadcasting service of the Holy See and has an impressive technical and historical development. The station was founded on February 12, 1931, by Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor of wireless telegraphy, at the personal request of Pope Pius XI. Marconi himself designed the first broadcasting plant, located in the Vatican Gardens, which is now considered a historical monument. During World War II, Vatican Radio played a crucial role as a neutral source of information and was used to search for missing persons and prisoners of war. Today, the station broadcasts in over 40 languages and utilizes cutting-edge digital technologies and satellite links to spread the Pope's messages worldwide. The main building near the gardens houses studios and technical facilities that have been continuously modernized. Vatican Radio is not just a medium of proclamation but also a symbol of the Vatican's openness to technological progress in the service of humanity.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C781014182326262117128
Rain mm7377695657342626708211492

📋 Practical info

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Visiting
Vatican Radio is a broadcasting facility not open to the general public. The exterior of the building can be viewed from the street.
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Typical hours
As a private facility, there are no visiting hours. The exterior is accessible at all times.
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Photography
Photography of the building exterior is allowed from public areas. Do not attempt to enter the premises.
⏱️
Time needed
A brief stop of 5 minutes to see the building from outside is sufficient. No interior visit possible.
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Combine with
The radio station is located on Vatican Hill near the gardens. Combine with a walk in the Vatican Gardens or a visit to the Radio Plateau.
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Getting there
The station is accessible from Via della Radio Vaticana, near the Vatican heliport. Public transport is limited; walking from St. Peter's is about 20 minutes.
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Insider tip
Listen to Vatican Radio online before your visit to appreciate its global reach. The building is surrounded by greenery.

Geography

Coordinates
41.90320, 12.44890

Facts

  • Founded on February 12, 1931, by Guglielmo Marconi.
  • The first papal message was delivered in Latin by Pope Pius XI.
  • During World War II, the station broadcasted 24 hours a day.
  • Vatican Radio produces programs in over 40 different languages.
  • The broadcasting center is located within the Vatican Gardens.
  • It is now part of the Dicastery for Communication.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Japanese Garden SectionJapanese Garden Section<1 km · WExplore →
Medaglie d'OroMedaglie d'Oro2 km · NExplore →
Palazzo SpadaPalazzo Spada2 km · SEExplore →
Della VittoriaDella Vittoria3 km · NExplore →
Val CannutaVal Cannuta3 km · WExplore →
GianicolenseGianicolense3 km · SExplore →
PrimavallePrimavalle4 km · NWExplore →
Porta PiaPorta Pia4 km · EExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Sights in the town Vatican Radio (10)

Lourdes Grotto

Building in Vatican City, a replica of the Grotto of Lourdes.

Vatican Hill

Hill in Rome, location of St. Peter's Basilica.

St Mary's Church

Church building in Vatican City, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

St John's Tower🗼 tower

Building in Vatican City, a historic tower.

Porta Pertusa

Building in Rome, Italy, a city gate of Vatican City.

Saint Stephen of the Ethiopians⛪ church

Church of the Vatican City, dedicated to Ethiopian Christians.

Pius IV House

Seat of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences in Vatican City.

Cupola di San Pietro

Dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, a landmark of Rome.

Dome of Saint Peter

Viewpoint on the dome of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Saint Peter's Basilica

Church in Vatican City, one of the most important Christian buildings.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Who founded Vatican Radio?
Pope Pius XI founded the station in 1931.
Which famous inventor helped with the setup?
Guglielmo Marconi designed and built the first broadcasting station.
In how many languages does it broadcast?
The station broadcasts programs in over 40 different languages.
Where are the broadcasting facilities located today?
The headquarters is in Palazzo Pio, with historical antennas in the gardens.
Can you visit the radio building?
Visits are mostly limited to the outdoor areas within the Vatican Gardens.
Vatican Radio: where is it located?
Vatican Radio is located in Vatican.
Vatican Radio: what is there to see?
Highlights include Lourdes Grotto, Vatican Hill, St Mary's Church.
Vatican Radio: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is May, Jun, Sep.
Vatican Radio: why is it worth visiting?
Vatican Radio is the official broadcasting service of the Holy See and has an impressive technical and historical development.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
Europe
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History & landmarks

Vatican City Heliport — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Vatican City Heliport
The heliport is located at the westernmost tip of the state.
Vatican City Railway Station — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Vatican City Railway Station
The only railway station in the world's smallest state.
Fountain of the Galley — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Fountain of the Galley
A decorative fountain in the Vatican Gardens evocative of maritime themes.
Bunker Access — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Bunker Access
A secured access point to underground structures within the Vatican walls.
Porta Pertusa — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Porta Pertusa
This historical gate in the Leonine Wall dates from the 16th century and is located near the Vatican heliport.
Eagle Fountain Terrace — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Eagle Fountain Terrace
An observation terrace at mid-height on Vatican Hill.
Radio Station Plateau — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Radio Station Plateau
A prominent high plateau on the western edge of the Vatican.
Ethiopian College Terrace — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Ethiopian College Terrace
A distinct topographic step in the heart of the Vatican Gardens.

Nature

Eagle Fountain Pond — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Eagle Fountain Pond
An artificial water basin that is part of the monumental 17th-century Eagle Fountain.
Colle Vaticano Summit — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Colle Vaticano Summit
This is the highest natural point within the boundaries of Vatican City.
Japanese Maple Area — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Japanese Maple Area
Various species of Japanese maple are planted in a special part of the gardens.

More places

Ethiopian College — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Ethiopian College
The only educational institution located entirely within the territory of Vatican City.
Tower of San Giovanni — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Tower of San Giovanni
A massive tower in the Vatican Gardens, part of the medieval fortifications.
Governatorato Palace — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Governatorato Palace
The administrative center of Vatican City, housing the government of the state.
Palace of Leo XIII — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Palace of Leo XIII
This elegant building in the Vatican Gardens was designed as a summer residence for Pope Leo XIII.
San Carlo Palace — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
San Carlo Palace
A significant residential building within the Vatican, serving as a residence for clerics and officials of the Roman Curia.
Canons&#39; Palace — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
Canons' Palace
This monumental residential complex houses the canons of St.
St. Peter&#39;s Basilica — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
St. Peter's Basilica
The world's largest church, built over the burial site of St.
St. Peter&#39;s Dome — Vatican Radio (Vatican)
St. Peter's Dome
The most distinctive feature of Rome's skyline, designed by Michelangelo.