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Did you know that the oldest army in the world was established in 1506 and still operates today?
It pre-dates the scientific revolution, the works of William Shakespeare, the splendour of Versailles and the first railway (which was built in 1825, over three hundred years later).
For over five hundred years, the Swiss Guard have been guarding the Vatican – and this special militia represents not only the oldest, but also the smallest army in the world.
The guard is composed of Swiss catholic men aged between 19 and 30 who, under the motto Acriter et Fideliter ("Fiercely and Faithfully"), enrol in the guards for a minimum of two years.
Some of them decide to continue their path in the Vatican after that, dismissing their old uniform and taking holy orders.
Many different things attract these young men to Rome: the tradition woven in the role, which has remained mostly unchanged for five hundred years, a fervent faith, or the desire to know more about Italy or the Vatican.
The year is 1506, and the Swiss Guard is founded by order of Pope Julius II (born Giuliano Della Rovere) - the so-called "Fearsome Pope" will lead the Papal States between 1503 and 1513.
During the Italian Wars, a series of conflicts fought in the Italian Peninsula between 1494 and 1559, the Vatican would enroll young, highly-skilled Swiss mercenaries to protect Rome.
Through the first half of the 16th Century, the Italian Wars would would take place in the different sovereign states that composed Italy at the time.
The primary belligerents in the conflict were the Valois of France, and the Habsburg household in Spain and Germany.
The tradition to hire the Vatican's army from Switzerland dates back to that conflict and, although the Swiss Guard has been briefly disbanded on and off since then, five hundred years later, the Church still honours its oath to enroll the defenders of the Holy Pope among the Swiss cantons.
Despite the centuries of tradition of their militia, the members of the Swiss Guard are modern young men with different hobbies and passions.
In their free time, they can decide to learn new languages, visits Rome's many attractions or even learn to play an instrument.
The Guards even have their special football team, Guard FC, which plays in the Vatican League.
Those who have a knack for music can also join the brigade’s band: the official band participates in major public events such as National Day, Christmas, and the Swearing-in ceremony that annually takes place on 6 May.
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