Swiss Guards At The Vatican Will Be Sporting 3D Printed Hats

The Swiss Guard – the Pope’s private protectors and the world’s smallest army – has announced that its uniform is getting a contemporary upgrade. The extravagantly dressed guards will be swapping their traditional metal helmets for ones made of plastic and created by a 3D printer. The new headgear was revealed in a press conference ahead of a swearing-in ceremony for 32 new recruits to the force.

The new helmets are printed in one piece from impact-resistant and weather-resistant plastic and, as a result, are much lighter and more comfortable to wear than the previous metal version. The 3D-printed plastic absorbs less heat, while the helmet shell also includes ventilation channels to help keep the guards cool – especially useful during the scorching Italian summer.

Costing €800 to €900 to produce, the printed helmets represent a significant saving for the Swiss Guard, with the old metal headgear costing about double that. Production time is also greatly reduced from around 100 hours to just 14.

An initial run of 40 helmets has already been financed by private sponsors and the Swiss Guard is now hoping to raise funds for the production of another 60. The initiative to manufacture the helmets using modern technology was overseen by Swiss engineer Peter Portmann.

Christoph Graf and Peter Portmann presenting the helmet

Commander of the Pontifical Swiss Guard Christoph Graf presented a prototype of the new PVC helmet at a press conference ahead of an annual swearing-in ceremony that, this year, saw 32 new recruits join the force (the ceremony takes place on May 6 to commemorate the death of 147 guards who died protecting Pope Clement VII from the troops of Emperor Charles V during the Sack of Rome in 1527).

“We have to keep up with the times,” Graf told Die Presse, a German-language daily broadsheet based in Vienna. Emphasizing the need to balance tradition and innovation, Graf explained any future changes would have to be practical: “We would not make a halberd out of plastic,” he said, referring to the distinctive two-handed pole weapon carried by halberdier troops of the Swiss Guard.

Also announced were plans to increase the total number of guards from 110 to 135. In order to be a member of the Swiss Guard, potential candidates must meet a number of strict criteria including being Swiss, Catholic and aged under 30.

New recruits attend the swearing-in ceremony at the Vatican

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.