Where do the Swiss Guards live?

The residence of the Pontifical Swiss Guards is located in the heart of Vatican City, just beyond Porta Sant’Anna, within a barracks built in the 19th century. More than simply military accommodation, it is a place that embodies the spirit of service and discipline that has defined the Corps tasked with protecting the Pope for nearly five centuries.

The dormitories, currently shared by several guards, offer a communal living space that strengthens the bond among members, fostering unity and a strong sense of belonging.

Daily life in the “California” barracks

The barracks are nicknamed “California” due to the high temperatures recorded inside during the summer months. The dormitories typically accommodate up to ten guards, with shared bathrooms and communal spaces. In the early years of service, guards live in large dormitories, before gradually moving to double or triple rooms.

Only the most senior halberdiers and non-commissioned officers are entitled to a private room. Living quarters within the Vatican Walls are essential to ensure constant availability, an indispensable requirement for those tasked with protecting the Pontiff.

Exceptions and special cases: married guards

In certain circumstances, members of the Guard may reside outside the Vatican, in the immediate surrounding area, particularly if they are married and no accommodation is available within the Walls. Since 2018, the process of marrying while in service has been simplified: guards are now allowed to marry after five years of duty, without needing to wait for promotion to the rank of corporal.

This change forms part of a broader reform introduced by Pope Francis, which also saw the number of personnel increase from 110 to 135.

The renovation project: new housing

The current barracks are undergoing a major renovation, led by the Swiss Foundation for the Renovation of the Pope’s Swiss Guard Barracks, in collaboration with the Vatican. The aim is to provide more modern, sustainable, and comfortable accommodation for the Guards and their families.

The plan includes the construction of self-contained mini-apartments with private bathrooms, replacing the existing shared dormitories, to offer greater privacy and an improved quality of life.

Timeline and funding for the new housing

The Cooperation Protocol was signed in April 2025, in the presence of Cardinal Pietro Parolin and the Swiss Ambassador to the Holy See. The operational phase of the project will only commence after the 2025 Jubilee, provided that the necessary funds have been secured.

The total budget is estimated at 45 million Swiss francs, of which 42.5 million had already been raised by March. The Vatican will cover the cost of temporary accommodation, estimated at around 5 million francs.

A space for women too?

The renovation project also seeks to make the barracks accessible to women, in anticipation of a potential future inclusion of female personnel in the Corps. At present, the Pontifical Swiss Guard remains an all-male unit, but the idea of welcoming women-at-arms is already being taken into account both structurally and symbolically.

This would mark a potentially historic shift in the long-standing tradition of the world’s smallest armed force.

Article translated by Agnese Giardini

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