The Unexpected Item Tourists Can't Bring Into The Vatican
The Vatican, one of the best sites to visit in Italy for ancient history lovers, receives millions of annual visitors eager to explore its centuries-old art, history, and religious significance. If you're planning a visit to the Vatican Museums, the Sistine Chapel, or St. Peter's Basilica, you probably already know about the dress code — no shorts above the knee, no sleeveless tops, no hats, etc. But there's one banned item that catches many tourists off guard: umbrellas.
An umbrella seems like a pretty harmless (and common) thing for a tourist to be carrying. But the Vatican specifically bans medium and large umbrellas, including full-length non-folding umbrellas. The no-umbrella rule is in place to protect its valuable art collection from damage. Other banned items include food and drink, large bags and suitcases, tripods and camera stands, banners and signs, and knives, scissors, or other metal items that could be dangerous to people or the art.
The Vatican is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and home to the Pope. But it's also a hub for some of the world's most priceless artifacts and valuable artworks. The Vatican Museums alone contain ancient Egyptian artifacts, art from the Renaissance period, and more — there are over 70,000 pieces in the collection, with only 20,000 actually on display. A careless swing of a long umbrella could easily scratch an ancient sculpture or damage delicate frescoes.
What to do with your umbrella at the Vatican
Visiting the Vatican is one of the best things to do if you only have one day in Rome — but just like tourists need to be mindful of the clothing they pack, they should carefully consider what to carry with them. Travelers may want to have an umbrella for shady relief from the hot summer sun and to stay dry during the rainy winter season. Well, the good news is you won't be out an umbrella if you show up to the Vatican ignorant of the no-umbrellas rule — there's a cloakroom available where guests can store banned items for free until they leave.
However, if you have a small, collapsible umbrella that easily fits inside your small bag (like this BAODINI mini umbrella that comes with a case), you should have no problems carrying it with you. Just keep it put away throughout your visit for good measure. Just remember that the final decision on what's allowed in or not is up to the guards at the door.
If you must leave items in the cloakroom, don't forget to pick them up on your way out. Anything left behind after closing time is considered lost. The owner must report lost items and show proof of ownership within 12 hours, otherwise, it's gone for good (the rulebook says "destroyed") within 48 hours. One last thing: While visitors can leave banned items like umbrellas, walking sticks, and large bags in the cloakroom during their visit, some items are not accepted at all — this includes things like cash, jewelry, watches, cellphones, tablets, cameras, and coats and jackets.