Rome is the capital of Italy. It offers a dazzling variety of sights and experiences, ancient monuments, Baroque churches, beautiful fountains, museums, and Renaissance palaces. Modern Rome is a bustling and lively city and has some excellent restaurants and nightlife.
The ancient and impressive Colosseum is one of the most iconic sites in the world. It is the largest Amphitheatre ever built during the Roman Empire and is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.
A CITY TO EXPLORE
Saint Peter’s Square and the Vatican City are also easily visited when in Rome. The Vatican Museums, within the territory of the Vatican City, are among the greatest museums in the world. The Sistine Chapel houses Michelangelo’s The Last Judgement.
Castel Sant’Angelo was built as a mausoleum for Emperor Adrian and converted into a fortress during the Middle Ages.
Rome has also a number of famous squares. Piazza Navona is a highly significant example of Baroque architecture and art.
The almost perfectly preserved Pantheon is one of the finest surviving Roman temples of the past. It is a circular building with a portico of large granite columns and a dome,which features a central opening to the sky.
The Trevi Fountain, a large Baroque fountain, is one of the most famous fountains in the world.
There are four main basilicas in Rome: the Cathedral of San Giovanni in Laterano, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, the Cathedral of San Paolo Fuori le Mura and Saint Peter’s Cathedral.
Piazza di Spagna, with its famous Spanish Steps, is home to the 15th-century Church of TrinitĂ dei Monti.
The Roman Forum was the focal point of ancient Rome public life for centuries. It was the site of processions and elections, the venue for public speeches, trials and gladiatorial fights and the centre of commerce.
Piazza del Popolo is Rome’s famous square featuring stunning churches, beautiful fountains and imposing monuments.
The Augustine Church of Santa Maria del Popolo is an excellent example of Italian Renaissance architecture. Inside there are Caravaggio’s Crucifixion of St. Peter and The Conversion on the Way to Damascus.
Rome has also elegant streets, like the fashionable Via Condotti and Via Margutta, which are lined with art galleries and hotels.
The Church of Sant’Agostino is packed with many significant works of art, such as Raphael’s paintings and frescoes and Caravaggio’s Madonna di Loreto.