The Papal States — when the Pope was a king with an army

The states

At maximum extent: Lazio, Umbria, Marche, Romagna, and parts of Emilia. Capital: Rome. The Pope was both spiritual leader and temporal ruler, with armies, taxes, courts, and prisons. Key dates: 754 (Donation of Pepin founds the Papal States), 1309–77 (papacy moves to Avignon), 1527 (Sack of Rome), 1796 (Napoleon invades), 1815 (restored), 1870 (Italian troops breach the Aurelian Walls at Porta Pia — Rome becomes Italy’s capital). The Pope retreats to the Vatican, refuses to recognize Italy until the Lateran Pacts (1929).

Where to see it

Porta Pia, Rome: the breach point (a small monument marks it). Vatican City: the last remnant. Castel Sant’Angelo: papal fortress. Orvieto: papal refuge (the Pozzo di San Patrizio was built for a besieged pope). Avignon (France): where the papacy fled.

More Italian history