Due to political machinations, royal dynasties and impenetrable defences over the years, Europe has been left with a few ridiculously small countries, some no bigger than a city suburb. But good things come in small packages, and some of the continent’s greatest attractions, from the Sistine Chapel to Monte Carlo casino, can be found in these micro-states. Here’s our bluffer’s guide to the little countries that pack a surprising punch.
Vatican City
Size: 0.28 square miles, 783 people.
The Vatican (or Holy See) is the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. Essentially a walled-off block of land in Rome, it was given independence from Italy in 1929 in order to resolve the problem of the previously independent Pope feeling a prisoner of Italy.
Things to do: It’s doubtful that anywhere else in the world has so much crammed into such a tiny space. Highlights include watching the Pope addressing the masses at 11am every Wednesday, one of the world’s great public squares (Piazza San Pietro) and the second biggest cathedral in the world – the magnificent St Peter’s Basilica. You’ve also got world class museums and Michaelangelo’s ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.
Monaco
Size: 1.21 square miles, 35,657 people
Monaco dates back to the days of European city states, with the Grimaldi dynasty (originally from Genoa in Italy) having been in charge since 1297, apart from a brief period during the French revolution
Things to do: The Musée Océanographique is one of the world’s greatest aquariums, a perfect budget option for those who can’t afford to swan around on yachts or break the bank at the principality’s famous casino. Where Monaco really shines is its events, though, be it the Formula One Grand Prix in May or the International Circus Festival in January.
San Marino
Size: 38 square miles, 29,000 people
Astonishingly, San Marino is the oldest country in the world, having been independent and revolution-free since the fourth century. It avoided being incorporated into Italy when it gave refuge to those supporting unification, and its wishes to remain autonomous were granted as a result.
Things to do: San Marino is mainly about novelty shopping, as people come over the Italian border for stamps and souvenirs. However, its city walls are impressive, and you can walk along them to great views of the valley from the fortresses of Rocca Guaita and Rocca Cesta. There is also a selection of bizarre museums, focusing on everything from reptiles to torture.
Liechtenstein
Size: 100 square miles, 34,000 people
This tiny alpine nation is the last remnant of the Holy Roman Empire, and owes its existence to the greedy Liechtenstein family, who bought the lordship of Schellenberg and countship of Vaduz in order to have some token territory from which they could wield political power. In the years since the break up of the Empire, no-one ever got round to fully incorporating it, and so it remains and independent princedom.
Things to do: Jammed between Switzerland and Austria, it’s unsurprising to learn that Liechtenstein has excellent skiing, whilst the castle in the miniscule capital ‘city’, Vaduz, is in a truly spectacular setting.
Malta
Size: 225 square miles, 402,000 people
Being an island, Malta doesn’t have a bigger neighbour across the border trying to incorporate it, but the island’s unique history has also contributed to it remaining independent rather than being tacked on to a bigger country such as nearby Italy. For many years, it was the home of Knights of St John, a multi-national group of Crusaders who managed to keep Turkish forces away during the Great Siege of Malta in 1565.
Things to do: Many of Malta’s attractions have a military tinge, such as the Lascaris War Rooms and Siege of Malta attraction in Valetta or the 1,000-tonne gun in Fort Rinella. However, there are also five World Heritage-listed Neolithic temples to be seen, while the even smaller island of Gozo has some fabulous beaches for the sun-seeker.
This article was originally written for AOL UK.
Copyright David Whitley
