Extraterritoriality

International protection of the territory

The entire territory of Vatican City State is under the protection of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, dated 14 May 1954.

In 1984, Vatican City was inscribed in UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List (Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 16 November 1972).

The State was thus recognised internationally for its moral, artistic and cultural heritage, and deemed worthy of respect and protection as a treasure belonging to humanity.

Access to the Sea

Although Vatican City State does not have direct access to the sea, by virtue of the 1921 Declaration of Barcelona, it has the right to navigate its own ships under the Pontifical Flag. The State however, does not currently exercise this right.