As promised, I have come up with another one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. This time around, I am bringing you ten amazing tourist spots in the ancient city of Rome. Now, I know not all of you are very much into travel but let me tell you something. I didn’t use to like travel, and all it took for me to love travelling, was to visit Berlin and Paris. The mere architecture entices you and leaves you in awe. You will love the place besides, it is Rome, and it’s in Italy. If you don’t enjoy travelling, enjoy the finest pizzas in the world. Enjoy the read!
10. PALATINE HILL
This happens to be one of the most ancient parts of Rome. The Palantine Hill is 40 meters above the Forum Romanum. You should know that the city of Rome is essentially seven different hills and this happens to be the center hill. It is 168 feet above the sea level and according to Archeological reports, people have been living around here since the Bronze Age; that is before Rome was even found.
9. PIAZZA NAVONA
This place is built on the site of Stadium of Domitian that was built in the first century AD. During the Ancient times, Romans used to come here and watch games or agones. The name has undergone certain changes from then on. It went from agones to navone and then finally navona. It happens to be the most popular and the largest city square in Rome. You will have loads of cafes around the place so what you do is, get a coffee on a cold day, sit nearby and observe life. Sounds boring? It isn’t, try it sometime.
8. THE SPANISH STEPS
Climb these steps starting at the Piazza di Spagna and go right to the top to Piazza Trinita dei Monti. It happens to be the widest staircase in all of Europe and has a total of 138 steps. It was built somewhere between the years 1723 and 1725. The purpose was to link the church at the top and the Bourbon Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. It was designed by Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi. At the foot of these steps is a beautiful fountain called Barcaccia Fountain by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. It’s an awesome place to be at.
7. CASTEL SANT’ANGELO
It is also knows the Mausoleum of Hadrian. It was commissioned by the Emperor Hadrian as a Mausoleum for himself and his family. It was later used as a fortress, a castle and now it has been turned into a museum. It has also served as a prison and an execution site. If you do visit this place, please go inside and to the top. Look outside the window and enjoy a fantastic view of St. Peter’s Basilica (discussed below).
6. TREVI FOUNTAIN
It is located in the Trevi District of Rome and it is around 26 meters high. It happens to be one of the most famous fountains of the world and is the largest one of the Baroque. You must have seen it in many different movies as well. What this fountain is famous for is that people come here, turn their back, make a wish and throw a coin inside. Your wish will apparently come true. Any of this happened to any of you. Well, if you do happen to visit, do make a wish because you never know.
5. THE VATICAN MUSEUMS AND SISTINE CHAPEL
The Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel were first established in 1506 and they hold incredible permanent collections from the likes of Michelangelo, Leonardo Da Vinci, Raphael, Bernini, Rosselli and Botticelli etc. If you happen to visit, make sure you see the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. You will see the nine scenes from the Book of Genesis by Michelangelo. You will also see what was created in 1511, The Creation of Adam. It is truly a site to behold. Remember, just looking at the exterior of some building isn’t worth it; it is when you step inside when the magic happens.
4. ST. PETER’S BASILICA AND THE VATICAN
It is basically a church and is called ‘Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano’ in Italy. It has the largest interiors of any Christian Church in the world. It is regarded as one of the holiest Catholic sites in the world as well and is said to hold a unique position in the Christian world. It is also referred to as ‘the greatest of all churches of Christendom’. The central dome of this place dominates the skyline of Rome. It is a beautiful place to visit whether or not you are of the same faith.
3. PANTHEON
During the ancient times, it used to serve as a temple to all the Gods and it happens to be one of the best preserved ancient structures in all of Rome. The building is still in use and has been since the seventh century. Now it is a Roman Catholic Church dedicated to St. Mary and the Martyrs. It is also known as ‘Santa Maria della Rotonda. There is a square in front of the building and it is called Piazza della Rotonda. Initially, the structure was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa and later it was rebuilt in 126 AD by Emperor Hadrian.
2. THE FORUM
This place is adjacent to the Coliseum and it used to be the very life in ancient Rome. It served as a public square, a marketplace and a gathering point. All this dates back to 500 BC. It is surrounded by several ruins of ancient government buildings. It used to be referred to as the Forum Magnum. The place was used for elections, public speeches, criminal trials and even gladiatorial matches. There are many important sites near this place that lets you imagine the life of early Romans. They are mostly ruins now, but they still help.
1. COLOSSEUM
At the first spot is the world renowned Colosseum or Coliseum. It was originally the Flavian Amphitheatre. It happens to be the largest Amphitheatre ever built in the times of Roman Empire and is considered to be one of the greatest civil engineering feats of that time. The construction of this magnificent structure started 72 AD under Vespasian and it was completed eight years later in 80 AD under the rule of Titus. The Colosseum can entertain 50,000 spectators at the same time. It was mostly used as gladiatorial contests.
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