Founded by Romulus on 21 April 753 BC, Rome was soon the largest
city in the world, peaking in power during the rule of Marcus
Aurelius from 161-180 AD. At the time the city was the centre of
the incredibly powerful Roman Empire, which ruled so much of the
world. The city is built on seven hills (Capitolino, Palatino,
Quirinale, Viminale, Esquilino, Celio and Aventino) with a wide,
flat and open central area, named Camp Marzio after the ancient God
of War. Originally used as a training camp for Rome's forces, this
area is now home to many of the city's most famous sights.
Rome's architecture charts the passage of time as clearly as
anywhere in Europe; with wonderfully preserved monuments from the
early Romans and buildings with distinctive medieval, Renaissance
and Baroque features. The most famous sights are a real wonder to
behold - no photo can prepare you for the awesome sight of the
Colosseum close up. No other city boasts as many world-class sights
as Rome - not even Athens, New York or London. As well as the Roman
heritage sights, Rome also boasts beautiful medieval areas,
impressive city squares and of course the country within Rome -
Vatican City, with the incredible St Peter's Basilica.
Colosseum
One of the most familiar symbols of Ancient Rome is the incredible
Colosseum. An awesome sight to behold up close, the unmissable
Colosseum is part circus, part sports arena. Although time,
weather, pillaging and earthquakes have taken their toll on the
classical ruin, it is a breathtaking sight and contains the
original pathways, ramps, cells, corridors and entrance ways used
by gladiators, slaves and animals to enter the arena.
Roman Forum
The Roman Forum was the political, commercial and religious centre
for the Roman Empire. Now just an impressive ruin, it is possible
to make sense of what it was like in its heyday by viewing the
best-preserved sections, including the beautiful Arch of Septimus
Severus, which was built to celebrate the Roman victory over the
Parthinians.
Spanish Steps
The stunning, curving Spanish Steps lead from the Piazza di Spagna
up to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti and the Trinità dei Monti
Church. Known in Italian as 'Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti',
the 138 Spanish Steps are the widest staircase in Europe. The
original design for the steps was chosen as the winning entry in a
competition held after years of debate about how best to urbanise
the steep slope leading up to the Trinità dei Monti. There is
debate about which architect was actually responsible for the
winning design, although it is accepted to have been either
Francesco de Sanctis or Alessandro Specchi, and is often attributed
to both of them.
Trevi Fountain
Rome's most famous - and, arguably, most beautiful - fountain was
built for Pope Clement XII and almost fills the small Piazza di
Trevi. The statues adorning the fountain represent Abundance,
Aquippa, Saubrity, the Virgin and Neptune guided by two Tritons. By
tossing a coin - over your shoulder with your back to the fountain
- you are said to be guaranteed a return visit to Rome.
Pantheon
Regarded as one of the world's most inspiring architectural
designs, the Pantheon has a perfectly proportioned floating dome
that sits on tall marble columns and is one of the best-preserved
classical buildings in Rome. Built as a temple to the Gods in
120AD, the clever design includes a single light source flowing
through the central oculus that was used to measure time with the
aid of an internal sundial. The instruments used also showed the
dates of equinoxes and solstices.
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