Tower of Nicholas V

Just inside St. Anne's Gate, one of the main entrances through the walls into Vatican City, one notices a massive, round tower called the Tower of Nicholas V. Built in the 1400s, it was part of the Vatican walls which protected the tomb of the Apostle Peter and the residence of his successors, the Popes of Rome.

Inside the round tower of Nicholas V is the headquarts of the Istituto per le Opere di Religione or Institue for the Works of Religion. The purpose of the IOR is to "provide for the care and administration of the funds and real estate transferred or entrusted to the institute to carry out works of religion or of charity."