The Swiss Guard

The Swiss Guard is the Pope's personal army, well-known for the colourful renaissance style uniform, designed by Michelangelo according to some legends (actually, there is no evidence for that and to say the truth the uniform's design was firstly attributed to Rafael, as shown in some of his famous fresco paintings in the same Vatican Museums). 

Founded in 1506 by Pope Julius II as Pontifical Swiss Guard with the purpose of protecting the Pope and the Apostolic Palace, it was composed by 150 soldiers, all from the Canton of Lucerne and they were originally mercenaries looking for money or war professionals.

Until 1970, there were 2 more guards, the Palatine Guard, created in 1850 e the Noble Guard founded in 1801, but they were abolished under Pope Paul IV who just wanted to maintain the older and more prestigious Swiss Guard.

Despite presently it consists of just 110 soldiers (the smallest army for the smallest country in the world!) and it is considered a symbolic army, the Swiss Guard still sticks to a rigid traditional military discipline and training: they are articulated in 3 groups, work 8 hours a day and know perfectly how to use both ancient weapons, like swords and halberds, and modern firearms.

As fundamental requirements to become a Swiss Guard, the applicants must be catholic, swiss and single between 19 and 30 years age. The eligibility also depends on their origins: the family must be upper middle class and very well reputated. Recruitment occurs 4 times a year (March 1, July 1, September 16 and December 1) and generally the number of applicants is about 200 people.

Initially, the contract lasts 2 years, but it can be extended up to 20 years (in this case soldiers can get married and receive a service allowance at the end).

During the time of service, the Swiss Guard benefits of 2 citizenships: swiss and vatican.

Despite many people would like to become a Pope's Guard, nowadays this job is no more very profitable: the average salary is around 1500 euros per month, but still many swiss people are proud to be part of this unique military force. It's a sort of vocation: after all they have been serving the Pope for such a long time.

The guards spend their leisure time working out a lot: the vatican barracks provide fitness facilities, shooting and self-defense courses and many other sports like football, volley and basketball.

Even outside the Vatican City, during the off duty time, they are requested to keep a discrete and reserved attitude. Time to return to barracks must be before midnight.

You probably didn't know that the 3 colours uniform (yellow, red and blue) comes from the famous noble florentine family of the Medici and consists of 154 pieces of fabric which need 32 hours sewing!