 | | Roman Forum |
There are few countries which can pride themselves on such a diverse past and on such a remarkable number of historical and cultural sights as Italy. This is also very much the case as far as Rome, the capital.
For centuries, this city was the heart of an empire that stretched from Gibraltar to the Persian Gulf and from the Scottish mountains to the Sahara. In the heyday of the Roman Empire, in the 2nd century AD, its population totaled around one million. Although that figure dropped to a mere 20.000 two centuries later, Rome has never really been interrupted in its existence so can justifiably be called “The Eternal city“.
 | | Luxurious Diocletian Bath |
According to the legend of Romulus and Remus, Rome was born in 753 BC. However, the oldest archaeological excavations suggest that the Etruscans alredy lived here three centuries before. After its destruction by the Gauls in 390 BC, Rome again quickly flourished. In the years that followed, the first aqueducts were built, as well as the first sewer, the Cloaca Maxima, which still functions in the 21st century, and the Via Appia, a paved road which has survived to this day. In particular, the city bloomed during the reign of Augustus (27-14BC), who „found Rome brick and left it marble“, as the chronicles says, under Emperor Nero(after great fire) and-above all- in the 2nd century AD. | | Detail of famous Baroque Trevi Fountain |
The division of the Roman Empire led to its partial fall. The capital then enjoyed a conspicuous resurrection with the arrival of the Renaissance (it´s enough just to name Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo), but suffered a heavy blow from the armies of Charles of Bourbon in 1527. It only recovered slowly in the baroque era, a style that was generated in Rome.  | | Fascinating Forum Romanum |
Its economic and artistic significance receded for a while in the 18th and 19th centuries and it wasn’t until 1870 that, as part of the Italian kingdom, the city entered the era of „the Third Rome“. During this time, splendid constructions such as the Banca d´Italia, the Ministry of Finance, the Palace of Justice or the Victor Emmanuel Monument under the Capitol were erected. | | Colosseum, where the gladiators fought |
The list of only the major sights of Rome demands respect. Absolute musts undoubtedly include the Palazzo Venezia, dating back to 1455. In addition, the 1885-1911 Victor Emmanuel Monument (symbolizing the unification of Italy), the Capitol (historically speaking the most important Roman hill), the Forum Romanum (fascinating in terms of size, number of architectural sights and the genius loci that it emanates) and the Colosseum (one of the most famous constructions in the world, its size and acoustics reflect the one-time might of the Roman empire). The Arch of Constantine, its three vaults shining from afar thanks to the whiteness of its marble, the luxurious Diocletian Baths from 298-305 A.D. and the Pantheon, built at the beginning of our era but turned into the church of Santa Maria of the Martyrs in the 7th century, are also unmissable. | | Famous Baroque Trevi Fountain |
Then there’s the famous, baroque Trevi Fountain, into which probably every tourist tosses a coin. And the busy squares are highly recommended, too, whether the Piazza del Popolo, the Piazza Navona or the Piazza di Spagna, with the adjacent staircase where one can relax so effortlessly and where famous fashion shows also take a place.  | | Castle of St.Angelo dominates the banks of the Tiber |
Meanwhile, it’s just a few minutes to the Vatican complex from the Castle Sant´t Angelo fortress on the bank of the river Tiber. The spacious square, Piazza San Pietro, a destination for pilgrims longing to see the Pope for themselves, is dominated by the magnificent basilica of St. Peter. The Vatican Palace originally constructed in the 6th century, became the permanent papal residence in the 14th century and was gradually rebuilt and enlarged since then into its present appearance as one of the most opulent palaces in the world. Its gallery boasts a collection of Italian painting from between the 13th and 18th centuries – featuring several thousand works, the collection of classical art is the largest in the world – and the Vatican library contains over half a million printed volumes, as well as some 60 000 manuscripts. Last but not least is the extraordinary Sistine Chapel, meticulously restored in recent times.  | | Monumental Basilica of St.Peter |
 | | Colosseum in the night |
Apart from the historic sights, some of the Roman restaurants which offer typical Italian cuisine should not be missed. The unbelievable choice of meals and drinks, especially wine, is another reason to keep returning to this city – but then, as the saying goes, “all roads lead to Rome”...  | | The Baroque Fountain |
More information about Rome:
Hotels in Rome: http://accutravel.net/rome/hotels
Weather forecast for Rome for 10 days: http://accutravel.net/rome/weather
Rome webcams: http://accutravel.net/rome/webcams
Rome bookshop: http://accutravel.net/rome/bookshop
Rome car rental: http://accutravel.net/rome/cars
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