Do the Swiss Guard use their halberds?

Established in 1506 under Pope Julius II, the Pontifical Swiss Guard is among the oldest military units in continuous operation. The Swiss Guard are equipped with traditional weapons, such as the halberd, as well as with modern firearms.

Why do the Swiss Guard wear those uniforms?

These colorful costumes are called Gala uniforms and are worn when guards take up more ceremonial duties. You’ll find guards with this distinctly Renaissance appearance as you exit St. Peter’s Basilica on your Vatican Museums tour. This style of gala uniform has been worn by Swiss Guards since 1910.

Why are Swiss Guards used at the Vatican?

Swiss Guards, Italian Guardia Svizzera, corps of Swiss soldiers responsible for the safety of the pope. Often called “the world’s smallest army,” they serve as personal escorts to the pontiff and as watchmen for Vatican City and the pontifical villa of Castel Gandolfo.

Can the Swiss Guard marry?

As if that didn’t make the choosing hard enough, these men must also have undergone mandatory military service in Switzerland and mustn’t be married. Although they are eventually allowed to marry, this is usually only permitted to those over the age of 25 who have reached the rank of Corporal.

What happens if a baby is born in Vatican City?

As there are no hospitals in the Vatican State, virtually no one is born in there. Instead, Vatican citizenship is provided on a ‘jus officii’ basis. This means someone is made a citizen of the Vatican when they are appointed to work in the Holy See. Their citizenship ends when their appointment ends.

What is the difference between the Swiss Guard and Halberdier?

By the end of the first year of service, the Halberdier is usually ready for guard duty at the main gates of Vatican City, dealing with everyday tourists (and often VIP guests, too!) The everyday uniform of the Swiss Guard is the blue duty uniform.

Are the Swiss Guard still in active duty?

The men earned such a reputation for themselves that the Swiss Guard are today still in active military service as elite guards of the Vatican. These soldiers, clad in uniforms that would appear to be right out of the Medieval or Renaissance periods, are extremely highly trained professional soldiers.

Is the halberd still used in the military?

These soldiers, clad in uniforms that would appear to be right out of the Medieval or Renaissance periods, are extremely highly trained professional soldiers. They still maintain the halberd as their weapon while on duty.

How do you become a halberdier in the Swiss Army?

Recruits must have completed basic military training in Switzerland in order to continue to the first five weeks of training with the guards in Rome. After this training period, the Swiss soldiers are known as Halberdiers, owing to their halberds, the primary weapons the Swiss mercenaries used in the 14th and 15th centuries.