Rome (Roma)

Rome is Italy’s capital and largest city. The amount of relics and monuments in this relatively small place is in staggering proportion. It will seem like you meet history in the face at every turn.

 

Ancient Rome is the logical place to begin. The Roman Forum (Foro Romano) was the center of Roman life in ancient times, and the 50,000 seat Colosseum (Colosseo) was the site of bloody gladiator duels. The Golden House of Nero (Domus Aurea) was built after the Rome fire in 64 A.D. Many suspected Nero of setting the fires himself, but that has never been proven. He did seize much of the damaged land and subsequently built one of the most luxurious palaces in history, though later emperors destroyed much of it. It reopened in 1999 after a 15-year restoration, and visitors can tour 30 of the original 250 rooms.

 

Of Rome’s famous seven hills, Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio) is the most famous and sacred. The beautiful Piazza del Campidoglio has replaced the Etruscan temple to Jupiter that once stood at its pinnacle. It provides a spectacular view of the Forum below.

 

The Pantheon on Piazza della Rotonda is by far the most preserved building of all of Rome’s ancient structures, and it stands today as one of the world’s architectural wonders. The diameter of the dome is precisely equal with its height, and the interior is illuminated through a 30-foot hole in the dome’s roof.

 

Via del Corso is Rome’s main thoroughfare and it runs from Piazza Venezia in the south to Piazza del Popolo in the north. The Trevi Fountain is located just off Via del Corso near the Piazza Colonna. It is perhaps the most beautiful fountain in the world, and legend says visitors should toss a coin in and make a wish to return to Rome someday. Other major attractions in Rome include the Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Spagna), the Baths of Caracalla (Terme di Caracalla), and significant basilicas and museums too numerous to even list in this brief article.