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ROME, ITALY – Locals frequently compare Rome to lasagna, as it was built in layers over more than 2,000 years. That’s what makes this city so intriguing: the deeper you explore, the more you’ll discover. We’ll give you some basic information on the ten most magnificent highlights of your future trip to Rome.
1. Trevi Fountain
The Fontana di Trevi is well-known not just for its great water, but also for the legend that anyone who drinks it or tosses a penny into it will return to Rome. It is the facade of a vast palace, ornamented with statues and bas-reliefs on piles of rocks; water gushes from every angle.
Agrippa brought the Virgin Water to Rome via an aqueduct. Salvi, the architect, erected the fountain in 1735, and various artists from Bernini’s school embellished it.
It is told that the soldiers of Agrippa, hunting for water in the route Collatina in the country, met a girl who showed them the source of this clean water, which became known as Virgin water.
The bas-relief on the right depicts this incident, while the one on the left depicts Agrippa outlining to Augustus his intention to bring this water to Rome.
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2. Colosseum
At the end of the Via dei Fori Imperiali rises the Colosseum, one of the greatest wonders of Roman civilization. Its proper name is the Flavian Amphitheatre, but it is more widely known as the Coloseum, possibly because the Colossus of Nero was nearby.
History of the Colosseum
The Colosseum, which became the city’s and its people’s icon, appears on almost every page of Roman history. This massive amphitheater, whose antique magnificence we can still appreciate, was begun by Vespasian in A.D. 72 and completed by his son Titus in A.D. 80.
In the eighth century, the Venerable Bede said: ”While the Colosseum remains, Rome shall stand; when the Colosseum collapses, Rome shall fall, and when Rome falls with it, the World shall fall
Colosseum and Gladiator fights
The ”Ludi Cicernses’‘ were the Romans’ favorite shows, games that were most likely established in the closing days of the Republic with the goal of developing the war-like mentality that had made them world conquerors.
This was the origin of the professional gladiators, who were trained to fight to the death, while wild beasts of every sort increased the horror of the show.
Dion Cassius says that 9000 wild animals were killed during the hundred days of festivity to celebrate the dedication of this building. After the animals were killed, and removed, the arena was often filled with water in order to stage naval battles.
The great Emperor Constantine and his successors tried to stop the gladiatorial fights, but at the first the Romans would not give up their customary shows.
Colosseum construction
The elliptical Colosseum has a maximum diameter of 205 yards and a minimum diameter of 170 yards. The exterior had three rows of arches, each with Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian columns, and a fourth storey with Corinthian pilasters.
The outlet circuit was constructed by an 80-arch eclipse. Four arches, each representing one of the four semi-diameters, led to a huge corridor that wrapped around it.
Colosseum seats
The Emperor’s seat was located in the center of one side of the podium known as the ”suggestum. ” Senators and patricians took up the remaining podium space. Then there were cavalier, civil, and military tribunals. There were additional designated areas for married individuals, young men escorted by their tutors, families and slaves, women, and plebeians.
The Colosseum was typically left uncovered, but in the event of rain or extremely hot weather, it was sheltered by an enormous velarium built by two squads of sailors from the Ravenna and Capo Miseno fleets.
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3.Pantheon
The Pantheon, a symbol of the Eternal City, is the finest of all classical monuments in Rome. The inscription on the portico architrave refers to a temple built by Agrippa in 27 B.C. for the Julia family’s tutelary deities.
For a long time, it was believed that the Pantheon, as it exists today, was Agrippa’s original temple. In truth, Agrippa’s building was destroyed by a massive fire in A.D. 80.
Recent research has shown that the current Pantheon is a reconstruction from Hadrian’s time. Other changes occurred under Septimus Severus and Caracalla.
On March 6, 609, Boniface IV, with Emperor Phocas’ approval, converted the pagfan temple into a Christian church dedicated to St. Mary of the Martyrs. As a sanctuary, the Lateran Pact elevated it to the status of palatine basilica, or the national church of all Italians.
4. Piazza Venezia
Piazza Venezia, the hub of Rome and Italy, is named after the Palazzo Venezia, which Venetian Paul II (1461-1471), a lover of generosity, built in 1455 while still a cardinal. It was Rome’s first big Renaissance palace, and it was adorned with magnificent works of art.
Piazza Venezia is a good example of the early Renaissance period, which saw the shift from a medieval walled residential site to a modern palace while retaining some of its features.
5. The Victor Emmanuel II Monument
Guiseppe Saccon (1885-1911) designed the Victor Emmanuel II Monument, popularly known as the ”Vittoriano. ” It rises at the foot of the Capitol in the heart of Rome, where it was jammed in, affecting the ancient interaction between this hill and the neighboring neighborhood due to its vast size.
Chiaradia, a Venetian sculptor, spent twenty years working on the King’s equestrian statue, which Gallori completed after his death in 1901.
The intricate bas-relief at the base, which depicts the most famous Italian cities, was conceived by Maccagnani, who worked with Sacconi for several years to carve the three-dimensional embellishments.
Carlo Fontana and Paolo Bartolini created the building’s two colossal wings in 1908, which are surmounted by winged victory in dark bronze that contrast with the bright marble and are plainly visible against the panorama of Rome.
The Altar of the Fatherland stands in the center, crowned by a statue of Rome, at the foot of which has been the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier since 1921.
6. Vatican City
The Vatican has been the popes’ residence since 1377, which is only six centuries. Prior to the move of the pontifical court to Avignon (1309-1377), the papal headquarters were located at the Lateran.
Since then, no pope has failed to add to the grandeur and dignity of this holy hill, making it an increasingly worthy seat for the Catholic Church’s Supreme Head.An unbroken line of 267 men have sat on Peter’s throne, many of whom were martyrs and saints.
History of Vatican City
Since February 11, 1929, the Vatican has been an independent state known as Vatican City, thanks to the Lateran Treaties, which resolved the Roman Issue between the Italian State and the Church.
7. St. Peters Church
During the Roman era, the Vatican hill housed the Circus Neronianus, where St. Peter the Apostle was crucified by Nero. His remains were buried nearby, and more than 250 years later, Constantine built a beautiful basilica on the same site, which would become one of the world’s wonders.
During the Popes’ seventy-three-year stay in Avignon, the basilica was so neglected that restoration was nearly impossible. Nicholas V chose to rebuild it and assigned the project to Rosselino. When the Pope died, the work was stopped.
Julius II (1503-1513) commenced building on the new basilica. He commissioned Bramante to design it, and he would play the key role in this gigantic architectural venture, which took 176 years to finish. Throughout the years, different designs succeeded one another until Michelangelo, about seventy years old, began to construct the dome.
Following his death, the work continued in accordance with his ideas, which were based on the Macedonian cross, as Bramante wanted. However, during Paul V’s reign, Maderno eventually embraced the design based on the shape of a Latin cross.
Aside from St. Peter’s Church, the Obelisk, and several fountains, Vatican City is famous for its museums, the Vatican Treasury, the Apostolic Library, the Borgia Apartment, Raphael Rooms and Loggias, the Vatican Picture Gallery, and the Sistine Chapel.
8. The Sistine chapel
The Sistine Chapel is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the Vatican. Built between 1475 and 1483 by Giovanni de Golci during the reign of Pope Sixtus IV, this essential structure is physically isolated and nearly inaccessible from the outside.
Its embellishment began in 1482, transforming the stark, nearly barren chapel into a priceless collection of 15th and 16th century Italian Renaissance paintings.
Biblical scenes in Sistine chapel
Pope Sixtus IV commissioned some of the best painters of the time, including Perugino, Botticelli, Ghirlandaio, and Rosselli, to depict the parallel histories of the Old and New Testaments.
The two lateral walls were painted parallel to one another, with the Life of Moses from the Old Testament on one side and the Life of Christ from the New Testament on the other.
Among the many Biblical scenes you will recognize are Botticelli’s Temptation of Christ and the Healing of the Leper, Pinturicchio’s Basptism of Jesus, Cosimo Rosselli’s Crossing of the Red Sea, Ghirlandaio’s Calling of the First Apostles, Michelangelo’s Last Supper, and many others.
In 1508, Julius II, always looking for new projects, commissioned the young Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel’s ceiling. The massive undertaking began in May 1508 and was finished on All Souls Day 1512.
Frescos painted by Michelangelo
Michelangelo skillfully overcame the enormous task offered by the huge expanse and bareness of the vault’s surface to be covered, revealing the rich depth of his artistic genius. In fact, he concealed the original architecture by painting an architectural framework on top of it, arranging the many figurative parts in an astounding three-dimensional effect.
The artist merged painting, sculpture, and architecture uniquely, taking advantage of the vault’s curves to fit his powerful figures into the setting. The Separation of Light and Darkness, the Creation of the Sun and Moon, the Creation of Trees and Plants, and the Creation of Adam and Eve are all magnificent works of art.
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9. Forum Romanum
The Forum Romanum remnants can be found between the Capitol, the Imperial Forums, the Colosseum, and the Palatine.
Via Sacra
The Via Sacra, which led to the Capitoline hill, crossed the Forum and served as the route for triumphant processions of victorious generals, laden with booty and accompanied by their lines of prisoners.
While the most ancient section of the Forum, built during the Republican era, stretched from the opposite side of the valley to the Capitol’s slopes, the Colosseum’s entrance leads to the most recently built segment, which comes from the Imperial period.
Via Nova
Another prominent street, the Via Nova, ran the length of the valley along the Palatine’s slopes. In this previously poorly investigated area, incredibly interesting excavations are currently underway, demonstrating how, in the heart of archeological Rome, it is still feasible to make unexpected discoveries capable of putting fresh light on world-history knowledge.
The Arch of Titus
Erected by the Senate after the Emperor’s death to commemorate the capture of Jerusalem (70 A.D.), this arch stands beautifully to greet visitors on the Via Sacra, at the very top of the Velia.
The Arch of Septimus
This magnificent Rome highlight was built opposite the Forum to honor Septimus and his two sons, Caracalla and Geta. It is quite extravagant and over-decorated. The inscription refers to an imperial tragedy: after executing Geta, Caracalla had his brother’s name removed.
The Temple of Saturn
The Consul Titus Larcius built the Temple of Saturn nearby around 498 B.C. It has always served as the public treasury. The sacred valuables were held in an underground cell, including the gold ransom granted to Brennus and retrieved by Camillus’ courage.
The Basilica Julia
The ruins of the Julia Basilica are lined up with the Temple. Basilica Julia was erected according to Julius Caesar’s intentions in the middle of the first century B.C.
It was a spectacular structure with five naves separated into sections with movable dividers that allowed for multiple audiences to take place at the same time. There are remnants of chess squares traced on the marble on the steps that may still be seen today.
The Forum Romanum’s center is represented by the remnants of the Temples of Antonious and Faustina, Vesta, Castor and Pollux, and Julius Caesar.
Julius Caesar Temple
The Temple of Julius Caesar, which Octavianus built in commemoration of his uncle, was began in B.C. 42 on the site where the Dictator’s body was burned and consecrated in B.C. 29 alongside the Arch of Augustus, of which only the foundations survive.
The House of Vestal Virgins
The House of the Vestal Virgins was previously located in the main area. According to mythology, the Vestals were responsible for keeping the fire blazing. They were six aristocratic maidens and the daughters of free parents.
They had particular rights, but if one broke her vow of chastity, she was buried alive in the Field of Villains. Following a fire in 191 A.D., Emperor Septimus Severus virtually completely rebuilt their home, as well as the shrine to the Goddess.
Numerous statues and inscriptions can still be found. One of the Vestal Virgin’s names was removed, leaving only her initial ”C”. It is likely that the Vestal Virgin Claudia turned to Christianity.
Curia, Phocas Column, Palatium, and Maxentius Basilica are among the other Forum relics visible.
Guided tours, which may be booked online, are the greatest way to learn about the history firsthand from expert local tourist guides.
10. The Palatine
The last of the ten spectacular Roman features is one of the historic Roman hills known as the Palatine. This steep archeological site overlooks the Forum, preserving great memories amid its lush foliage.
During the Republic, Patrician families lived on the Palatine. Quintus Hortensius, the famous orator who mimicked Cicero, lived here in a house granted to him by Augustus. When Augustus became Emperor, he established his imperial residence on the Palatine.Later, Tiberius, Caligola, the Flavii, and Septimus Severus erected palaces here.
Villa Farnese
Entering through the Arch of Titus, turn to the left, climb the Clivus Palatinus on the right, and continue the stairs on the right to reach the magnificent Villa Farnese with its 16th century pavillion and gardens, supported by the massive arches of the Domus Tiberiana.
House of Livia
Passing the arches of the Domus Tiberiana and the ruins of Magna Mater with the statue of Cibele, you will reach the House of Livia remains. This object represents a typical patrician dwelling from the Republic’s final decades. Despite their extensive destruction, the remaining Pompeian mural paintings are quite remarkable.
Palace of the Flavii
Continuing to the left, you will come across Nero’s cryptoportico. Before Nero’s gallery climbing to the right is located Domitian’s Palace of the Flavii.
A basilica, aula regia, and lararium compose the left side of the structure.
To the right is a triclinium with the remains of the pavement and two Nymphaeas. Traces of previous structures can be found beneath the pavement.
Next the Domitian’s Stadium, is the 180-yard-long field surrounded with ruins of porticos, statues, fountains, and an imperial lodge.
Descending downhill, you will see the remnants of Septimus Severus’ Baths, Septizonium, and the Belvedere, which offers a spectacular view.
Circus Maximus
Located at the foot of the hill, you can see this circular shape raceway where the horse races were held. It was built by the kings and gradually expanded during the Republic and Empire. It is reported that during Constantine’s reign, this object could accommodate over 200 000 spectators. Chariot races, one of the Romans’ favorite sports, were held here.
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