Vatican secret archives

The Vatican archives stretch on for miles, and nobody is allowed to view them without strict permission. What secrets does the Vatican keep there, and why?

Explore warwick_carter's 2963 photos on Flickr!

As long as humanity has had beliefs in a higher power, the use of magic, spells, curses, and incantations have featured widely across cultures. A number of influential texts or ‘grimoires’ (textbooks of magic) were developed over the centuries, many of which became the books of choice for secret societies and occult organizations that endured well into the twentieth century.

Mystery and intrigue are inherent to the Holy See. People will always wonder what religious authorities are conspiring to behind closed doors, what treasures lie within the vaults of the Vatican.

The 85km of shelving in the Vatican's Secret Archives holds manuscripts and publications accumulated over more than 800 years. On the day of his visit to the UK, take a look at some of the rarest treasures on the pope's private bookshelves

Chance unearthing of a famous document reveals the scientist’s attempt to avoid the Inquisition.

Evidence of aliens? Proof that Jesus didn't exist? People have long speculated about what is in Vatican Secret Archives... Here's the truth.

With philanthropist and homeless advocate Pope Francis in charge, things are really changing inside the walls of the venerable institution, and the Vatican will never be the same again. Over the last year the Vatican has been involved with countless fund-raising opportunities that have brought in private corporate dollars as well [...]

The 85km of shelving in the Vatican's Secret Archives holds manuscripts and publications accumulated over more than 800 years. On the day of his visit to the UK, take a look at some of the rarest treasures on the pope's private bookshelves