Divided into themed sections, linked together with a chronology of the most important events in the life of the Vatican, Secrets of the Vatican includes: . THE HISTORY OF THE VATICAN The rise of the Catholic church, from its inauspicious beginnings as a persecuted cult in Rome to its establishment as the world's largest organized religion . HOUSES OF THE HOLY A look at the vast wealth of art, sculpture and literature collected in the Vatican Museums and some of the scandals that accompany the treasures . LIFE IN THE VATICAN Everyday life under the benevolent gaze of Europe's last absolute ruler . DEATH IN THE VATICAN The gruesome ends of some popes, and of some of the Vatican's other citizens . THE HIDDEN VATICAN The chapters of Vatican history that have remained closed to all but the innermost circle of Vatican officials

‘This 5-star thriller is a non-stop action-packed adventure... Reads like the latest blockbuster film... I was left breathless, my heart pounding as I turned the last page’ NetGalley review, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ You’ve cracked the Da Vinci code, now uncover the Vatican secret...

The Vatican Secret Archives have fuelled people's imagination for centuries. This is largely due to its incomparable long and interesting history. Today, the entire documentation kept in the Vatican Secret Archives occupies 85 kilometres of bookshelves and is constantly growing. It covers a continued chronological space of over 800 years. Moreover, its unique location, the majestic documentary treasures and the limited access contribute to this aura of mystery. The shroud of secrecy that has always surrounded this important cultural institution of the Holy See, due to the allusions to inaccessible secrets, as well as to the publicity it has always enjoyed in literature and in the media, makes this publication even more attractive. And now, for the first time, a publisher was allowed to walk around this wonderful location without any restrictions. The result is a magnificent book with impressive and atmospheric illustrations. Take an unforgettable walk past the most exceptional places and documents in these secret archives, including reading rooms that are only open to academia, as well as rooms that remain closed to the public, some of which are decorated with gorgeous 16th and 17th century frescos, while others accommodate several thousands of documents. You will be able to discover more than 100 of these documents in this book. Specialists of the Vatican Secret Archives have selected these documents and provided each one with a precise explanation. It is a careful selection of documents that show the richness of the Vatican Archives' contents. A highly appealing, unique and attractive book, for a large audience as well as for the academic!

Written by a Vatican insider and accomplished church historian, this book is a unique behind-the-scenes look at the world's smallest nation and the spiritual center of the Catholic Church. Produced with the full cooperation of the Vatican, this is a beautifully illustrated insiders guide into the 2,000-year-long history of the Vatican and papal influence, daily life and governance of the world's largest religious body, and the art collections and other priceless treasures rarely seen by the public. In addition to a unique photographic tour, the book includes personal interviews with various Vatican employees and insiders who make their home there, from a Swiss Guard to a singer in the Sistine Chapel choir. This book is an unparalleled look into life inside the Holy City.

Arranged chronologically and thematically, Dark Mysteries of the Vatican sifts fact from fiction and illuminates the truth of what lies in the archives. From murder in Holy Orders to financial scandal and UFOs, this is the definitive volume on the most secretive place on earth. Most books about the Vatican are dense and scholarly, but Jeffers delivers an easy-to-read, fact-driven investigation, covering historical as well as current events.

"Investigative stories behind the most controversial events in the Church's history, for example: the Knights Templar trial, the Crusades, the Inquisition, the Galileo Galilei trial, and Pius XII's attitude towards the Holocaust"--