While on a tour of the Vatican City, you’ll see men dressed in colorful, elaborate uniforms who look as if they stepped right out of the Renaissance era. They’re known as the Swiss Guard, a group of men with Swiss citizenship selected and trained by the Swiss Armed Forces. They’re sometimes referred to as the Vatican City Police, but the nation-state has its own police force that’s in charge of its security.
As they proudly stand in silence with halberds, a two-handled pole weapon in their hands, you may think it’s all pomp and circumstance. But the Swiss Guard has a long history and a litany of duties and responsibilities.
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Swiss Guard History
Today, Switzerland is known for being one of the world’s wealthiest countries, but that wasn’t always the case. Five centuries ago, the Swiss nation’s economy was struggling, and young men would often travel abroad as mercenaries. They served in foreign armies and were revered as skillfully trained fighters.
During the middle ages, foreign armies sought Swiss mercenaries for their exceptional capabilities on the battlefield. In 1506, Pope Julius formed the Pontifical Swiss Guard for protection. A contingent of 150 soldiers arrived in Rome on January 22nd of that year to serve the Papal States. Therefore, the Swiss Guard is one of the oldest military units continuously in operation, and they still retain many of their customs from the Renaissance era.
Swiss Guards are able to uphold their duties most of their duties peacefully. But they were involved in some horrific battles throughout history. The worst engagement happened in 1527. During a battle with the Holy Roman Empire, 190 guards were slaughtered. Known as the Sack of Rome, the battle enabled Pope Clement VII to escape safely through the Vatican’s emerging hidden tunnels.
With a reputation for bravery and self-sacrifice, the Swiss Guards were ready for similar self-sacrifice and to defend the Vatican from German forces in Rome during World War II. However, Adolf Hitler decided not to attack the Vatican.
Duties & Responsibilities of A Swiss Guard
A candidate applying to serve in the Swiss Guard must be a single male between the ages of 19 and 30 and stand at least 5 feet 8 inches tall. The applicant is required to have at least a high school diploma and be a devoted Roman Catholic. A local parish priest must endorse their application.
Together with the Pontifical Gendarmerie, Swiss Guards are responsible for the protection of the Pope and the Vatican. In addition to security, they carry out ceremonial duties as honor guards for receptions and audiences.
Each Swiss guard must serve under a contract of at least 25 months. Once the contract begins, they must attend Italian language classes. They are ready for guard duty at the Vatican’s main gates at the end of their first year and assist tourists on tours of Vatican City.
Swiss Guards standing in silence holding halberds are on Honor Duty and should not be approached. Swiss Guards facing a crowd with folded hands can be asked questions and perhaps pose with tourists for a photo.
How to Become A Swiss Guard
A candidate applying to serve in the Swiss Guard must be a single male between the ages of 19 and 30 and stand at least 1.74 meters tall (5 feet 8 inches) tall. The applicant is required to have at least a high school diploma and be a devoted Roman Catholic. A local parish priest must endorse their application.
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The Swiss Guard is an elite military unit, and the competition to join is quite intense. Recruits must complete basic military training in Switzerland followed by induction training in Rome for five weeks. Once the training period ends, the recruits are called Halberdiers. This title refers to the primary weapons used by Swiss mercenaries during the 14th and 15th centuries.
Swiss Guard Uniform & Equipment
The Swiss Guards you see on duty at a Vatican City tour are in blue-duty uniforms and blue berets. The red, blue, and yellow striped uniforms many people associate with the Swiss Guard are called Gala uniforms. The stripes are the colors of the Medici family. The high-plumed helmets have white ruffs with colored ostrich feathers to denote different ranks.
These colorful uniforms are only worn for more ceremonial duties. When you exit St. Peter’s Basilica, you’ll see Swiss Guards dressed in these Renaissance-style uniforms. The Gala uniforms have been worn since 1910.
The Swiss Guards carry pikes and swords while in traditional dress. However, they are also trained in counterterrorism and carry modern weaponry
Surprising Facts About Swiss Guards
- Each Swiss Guard ensemble is tailor-made to fit each member. Tailors sew the uniforms inside the Vatican barracks.
- Each Swiss Guard uniform takes about 30 hours to create.
- Each guard’s personal uniform is destroyed upon the completion of service.
- Some of the armor used by Swiss Guards today are original 15th-century pieces. Specialized blacksmiths replace them when the armor pieces when they can’t be fixed.
- New recruits once had to prove they had no physical deformities., and commanding officers had to be of noble lineage.
- The ostrich-feathered ceremonial helmets worn by Swiss Guards bear the Pope Julius II family symbol, an oak tree.
- Swiss Guards have residences at the eastern edge of Vatican City north of St. Peter’s Square next to the Vatican palace.
- Swiss Guards helped protect Pope John Paul II during a 1981 assassination attempt in St. Peter’s Square.
- A plainclothed guardsman that rushed to help the Pope during the 1981 assassination attempt was honored as commandant of the Swiss Guards in 1998. Hours later, a disgruntled guard of lower rank shot the commandant guard and his wife. The disgruntled guard then committed suicide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Pontifical Swiss Guards allowed to marry?
At one time, only Swiss Guards over the age of 25 who had achieved the rank of corporal were allowed to marry. Pope Francis is seeking to change this rule.
Do Swiss guards undergo extensive training?
Swiss Guard recruits must attend a training course for two months. They receive intensive training with their canton’s police force for the first month. In the second month, they move to Rome and train inside the Vatican State. They must learn all details about the people and places inside the nation-state. They also practice marching, soldier formation, and military salutes.
Are Swiss Guards allowed to carry guns?
Swiss guards employ a variety of rifles and muskets.
Are the Swiss guards actually Swiss?
Swiss Guard recruits must have Swiss citizenship.
