Rome, the capital city of Italy and the region of Lazio, is also known to the world as “Eternal City.” Brimming with ancient history, Rome is one of the most popular cities in Europe.
Whether you want to visit to see the Colosseum, the port of Ostia Antica, the Sistine Chapel, or the majestic Vatican City, Rome has plenty of history, art, architecture, foodie culture, and beauty for any visitor.
So, get your luggage storage in Rome set up and go out and discover the ten most unforgettable sites to see when visiting Rome.
Colosseum
To visit the Roman Colosseum is to bear witness to a testament of the ancient Romans’ architectural skills and their culture – one that, among other things, involved gladiator games at this huge entertainment arena.
According to historical texts, the first gladiator match occurred in A.D. 82. This first battle would cement a tradition of public fights between men and beasts before crowds that reached in excess of 50,000 people.
Tourists venturing outside of the Colosseum can also find a variety of other tourist locations, including the Arch of Constantine (built-in 315 to commemorate the victory of Constantine over Marcus Aurelius Valerius Maxentius), Forum, and Palatine Hill.
To avoid any lengthy tourist lines to visit the Colosseum, consider ordering tickets online ahead of time. Online tickets are good for a total of two days.
Vatican City
Tourists have often mistaken Vatican City for Rome. However, the Vatican has been an independent state since 1929. Not only does it have its own flag, but it also has its own coins, stamps, and militia (known as the Swiss Guard) that protects the state, Pope, and the citizens and residents in the region (a total of 800 people).
The Vatican’s hallmark – St. Peter’s Square – was built in the late 17th century by famed Italian artist Bernini. If you want to visit these sacred locales – most especially St. Peter’s Basilica and Michelangelo’s famous statue Pietá – please note that you must not have bare shoulders or shorts or skirts above the knee).
Once you’ve arrived at the Vatican, tourists can also travel to the roof to take in the view of the large square and city beyond. Beyond the Vatican’s walls, tourists can also visit the Vatican Museums, which host a wide range of Italian masterpieces, including Michelangelo’s masterpiece – the Sistine Chapel.
Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is among the most charming squares in Rome. Lined with restaurants and open-air cafes, Piazza Navona was once the historic site of sporting events at Domitian’s stadium in A.D. 89.
While visiting, tourists can enjoy views of three fountains – one of which includes Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers, which highlights four rivers from different continents.
Pantheon
Upon visiting Rome, you can’t miss the Pantheon – a temple to the gods originally constructed in 27 B.C. that was later rebuilt after fire damage in the early 2nd century A.D. Despite its unique architecture, the Pantheon’s has inspired many copycats around the globe.
Visitors can’t get over its sky-high columns, an impressive dome where the sun peers through, expansive interior, and a 27-foot hole in the center of the rotunda.
After reconstruction efforts, when the country moved toward Christianity, an altar was added for Christian worship. And then, after the Renaissance, the Pantheon took on yet another role – this time, it became a designated tomb for city artists and elite such as famed painter Raphael and former kings of Italy.
Trevi Fountain
Trevi Fountain is a Baroque masterpiece is an incredible depiction of the god Neptune riding in a shell-shaped chariot led by seahorses. Tourists have long been known to throw three coins at the marvellous Trevi.
Lore suggests that doing so will bring many benefits, including finding love and returning to the city. The good news? The money collected from these fountain tosses – nearly $3,500 each day – is then collected and donated to charities to support food programs for the city’s poor.
Roman Forum
One of the most important tourist locations for those wanting to see more of ancient Rome is the Roman Forum. Once considered the center of city life, the Roman Forum used to be the location where festivals and celebrations were hosted, rituals were practiced, and funerals were held.
Over time, the city of Rome grew around this grassy area that was initially empty marshland until the 7th century B.C.
By the 8th century, this part of Rome lost its luster and fell to waste. It remained lost to the city until the early 20th century.
Today, tourists can use their map to go on a self-guided tour of the area – this journey will lead you to a discovery of structures and arches. Alternatively, tourists can join a tour group to see the sites and gain a more detailed history of the area.
Galleria Borghese
Are you interested in seeing world-class art? Inside the Galleria, Borghese tourists will find Bernini sculptures of Apollo and Daphne, as well as the artist’s well-known interpretation of young David preparing to take on Goliath.
In addition to Bernini’s work, Galleria Borghese is host to the work of Correggio, Raphael, Rubens, and Caravaggio. To ensure that you can squeeze this attraction into your schedule, make sure to get your tickets early as getting a hold of them is quite the challenge, in part because the museum only allows 360 visitors every 2 hours.
Castel Sant’Angelo
Another place to tap into glorious views of the city is Castel Sant’Angelo. This fortress is located on the Tiber River and was originally designed by Emperor Hadrian. Initially, the fortress was used as a mausoleum for Hadrian’s family.
However, over time it became a military fortress, papal residence, and even a prison! Currently, the location serves as a museum where you may tour the apartments and view the statue of the archangel Michael.
Spanish Steps
Spanish Steps has long been considered the longest and widest staircase in all of Europe. In addition to beautiful flowers, the steps include a Barcaccia fountain that bubbles at its foot and the Trinità dei Monti church that is located at the top of the steps.
Tourists often choose to take a seat in the middle of the wide staircase and engage in people-watching. The steps give you great insight into Roman commercial life as people socialize at the nearby cafes and enjoy the shops, designer boutiques, and restaurants in the area.
Capuchin Crypt
Last but not least, when in Rome, visit the Capuchin Crypt that features a series of displays of bones and skulls; the Capuchin Crypt is found directly beneath Our Lady of the Conception of the Capuchins, which celebrates the life of the religious order of the Capuchin friars.
One of the practices of the friars was to arrange the bones of the deceased into displays and frames for Christian artwork.
These pieces were meant to share an interpretation of the church’s teachings of good, evil, and eternity.
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