Palatine Guard

Palatine Guard

The Palatine Guard (Italian: "Guardia Palatina d'Onore") was a military unit of the Vatican. It was formed in 1850 by Pope Pius IX, who ordered that the two militia units of the Papal States be amalgamated. The corps was formed as an infantry unit, and took part in watch-keeping in Rome as well as various battles, including the defence of Rome against soldiers from Piedmont.

After 1870 and the unification of Italy, the corps was confined to the Vatican. The Palatine Guard were usually seen either when the Pope was in St Peter's Square, or when a Head of State visited the Vatican. Members of the corps were volunteers, who were not paid for their service (though they received an allowance for replacement or repair of their uniforms). The corps was also the only one in the service of the Vatican to have a full military band.

The Second World War was a high point in the history of the Palatine Guard. In September 1943, when German troops occupied Rome in response to Italy's conclusion of an armistice with the Allies, the Guard was given the responsibility of protecting Vatican City, various Vatican properties in Rome, and the pope's summer villa at Castel Gandolfo. The guardsmen (mainly Roman shop keepers and office clerks) whose service had previously been limited to standing in ranks and presenting arms at ceremonial occasions, now found themselves patrolling the walls, gardens and courtyards of Vatican City and standing post at the entrances to papal buildings around the Eternal City. On more than one occasion this service resulted in violent confrontations with Italian Fascist police units working with the German authoritities to arrest political refugees who were hiding in buildings protected by the Vatican. ["Fedeltà Palatina". Rome: 1946. pp.36, 125, 216-17] At the outbreak of the Second World War in September 1939 the Palatine Guard mustered some 500 men, but by the liberation of Rome in June 1944 the corps had grown to 2000 men.

The corps was abolished in 1970 by Pope Paul VI as part of the reforms of the Church following the Second Vatican Council.

ee also

*Swiss Guard
*Noble Guard
*Papal Zouaves


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Palatine Guard — Palatine Guards or Palatine Guard, the militia of the Pope, on duty at Vatican City. ╂[< palatine1] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Palatine Guards — or Palatine Guard, the militia of the Pope, on duty at Vatican City. ╂[< palatine1] …   Useful english dictionary

  • Palatine Tiara — The Palatine Tiara is the most widely used Papal Tiara in the possession of the Vatican. It was donated to Pope Pius IX in 1877 by the Holy See s Palatine Guard to commemorate his jubilee as a priest. It was last worn to date by Pope John XXIII.… …   Wikipedia

  • palatine — I. /ˈpælətaɪn / (say paluhtuyn) adjective 1. possessing or characterised by royal privileges: a count palatine. 2. relating to a count or earl palatine. 3. of or relating to a palace; palatial. –noun 4. (in Imperial Rome) a. a palace guard. b. a… …  

  • Swiss Guard — Papal Swiss Guards in uniform Swiss Guards or Schweizergarde is the name given to the Swiss soldiers who have served as bodyguards, ceremonial guards, and palace guards at foreign European courts since the late 15th century. They have had a high… …   Wikipedia

  • Noble Guard (Vatican) — Noble Guard in dress uniform Noble Guard in service unifor …   Wikipedia

  • Banque Palatine — Logo de la Banque Palatine Création 1780 Dates clés 5 juin 2005 : Changement de nom …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Maryland Army National Guard — Coat Of Arms Active …   Wikipedia

  • The Vatican —     The Vatican     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Vatican     This subject will be treated under the following heads:     I. Introduction; II. Architectural History of the Vatican Palace; III. Description of the Palace; IV. Description of the… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Roman Curia — • Strictly speaking, the ensemble of departments or ministries which assist the sovereign pontiff in the government of the Universal Church Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Roman Curia     Roman Curia …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”