According to THEDRESSEXPLORER, Rome is the capital of Italy. Previously it was the capital of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire. After being one of the most important cities in the world for centuries, Rome is now one of the most popular tourist cities in Europe. People flock to see the remains of the once mighty Rome. The historic structures are an important part of contemporary Rome. Also unique to the city is the presence of the smallest country in the world within the city. The dwarf state of Vatican City, with an area of only 0.44 square kilometers, is a unique enclave within Rome. Hardly any tourist misses a visit to this Roman Catholic stronghold during a weekend trip to Rome. Want all the important admire the sights of Rome ? Then take a day or four to five for your visit to this impressive city.
Top 10 sights of Rome
#1. Colosseum
The Colosseum is actually a Flavian Amphitheatre, as it was built in the first century AD by Flavian emperors. It was built for games financed by the emperor. After millions of liters of water were poured into it, sea battles were also staged. Various natural disasters have subsequently caused various damages. It is still a very imposing building, which attracts millions of tourists every year. It is now one of the seven wonders of the world.TIP – Book in advance!
Avoid the long queues with skip the line tickets to the Colosseum.
#2. Pantheon
The Pantheon is said to be the best preserved ancient monument in Rome. The special architecture has often been a source of inspiration. The opening, nine meters in diameter, at the top of the dome, provides a very special incidence of light. The interior is at least as special as the exterior suggests. The famous renaissance painter Rafael and his betrothed, King Vittorio Emanuele II and Umberto I are buried in the Pantheon. The Pantheon is still an imposing sight for architects and other engineers.
#3. Trevi fountain
This beautiful fountain is located on the Piazza di Trevi and is built against the back of the Palazzo Poli (palace). This fountain has a height of 26 meters and is 22 meters wide. Trevi means ‘three roads’ and thus refers to the point where three roads used to meet in this square. The myth says that if you stand with your back to the fountain and throw two coins over your left shoulder into the fountain with your right hand, you will return one day. Another myth says that you will then meet your lover in the “eternal city”. While throwing or closing your eyes, you must think of Rome and say the following text; arrivederci Roma, tibi gratia volo, in tiberis aqua tua flute (See you again Rome, I want your grace, your water flows to the Tiber). In the period 2013-2015, a large-scale restoration will be carried out on the Trevi Fountain.
#4. Forum Romanum
Far back in history, Forum Romanum was seen as the center of Rome. Now there are many ruins to be found, such as Temple of Castor and Pollux, Basilica Julia, Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vespasian and Titus. Allow a few hours for a visit to this ancient part of the city, because it covers a nice area and there is a lot to see. If you want to get the most out of a visit to the Roman Forum, it is best to book a tour with an experienced guide.
#5. Vatican
City Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world. It is completely enclosed by the city of Rome and should therefore not be missing from this top 10. From here, the Pope addresses the world during Christmas from St. Peter’s Square. This city is full of special historical buildings and monuments, including of course St. Peter’s Basilica which is located on St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums, the Apostolic Palace and the Sistine Chapel. From the impressive large dome in St. Peter’s Basilica you have a magnificent view of the Vatican City and Rome.
#6. Museums
The historic city of Rome is full of stories, monuments and myths that can be found in the huge number of museums that can be found in Rome. Below we mention a few: Capitoline Museum with a lot of archeology and art from antiquity, Palazzo Nuovo with many sculptures by Venus Capitolina, among others, Palazzo dei Conservatori with monumental statues and frescoes by Giuseppe Cesari and the bronze head of Emperor Constantine, Galleria nazionale d ‘arte moderna e contemporanea GNAM with modern and contemporary art which is located in the beautiful park Villa Borghese, Vatican Museums in the Apostolic palaces with various works of art purchased by the popes who have been there. Of course there are many more museums.
#7. Shop
The most expensive, luxurious and chic shopping street in Rome has to be Via Condotti. It’s not tall, but it’s beautiful. You will find Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Cartier and Gucci, among others. On Via Condotti is the square Piazza di Spagna where it is always quite busy. Not only because of the beautiful fountain ‘Fontana della Barcaccia’, but also as a shopping street and resting place on the many “Spanish Steps”. From here you walk into other shopping streets such as Via Borgognona with many top brands. And then there is the beautiful street Via Frattina, which is certainly not inferior to the above streets in terms of content. For typical regional products you should go more towards Vatican City, where you will find these kinds of shops in Via Cola de Rienzo. In Rome you can also go to second-hand shops or the many markets that are held there. The largest market is the Porta Portese, which can be found every Sunday on Via Portuense.
#8. Villa Borghese
The very large city park Villa Borghese attracts many residents of Rome, but also tourists. The park has about 80 hectares with landscaped gardens, museums, pavilions, sculptures and villas. The Villa Borghese Pinciana is considered the most important building of this beautiful park. In the park you will also find the national museum Galleria Borghese and the summer house of Pope Julius III, Villa Giulia, which was built between 1551 and 1555. The zoo of Rome is also located in this park and is now called Bioparco.
#9. Monument to Victor Emmanuel II
Between Piazza Venezia and the Capitoline Hill stands the beautiful monument to Victor Emmanuel II, better known in Italy as ‘Altare della Patria’ (Altar of the Fatherland). Victor Emmanuel II was the first king of unified Italy. The monument contains a museum about this unification of Italy. The equestrian statue of Victor Emmanuel II alone took 20 years to complete. Fountains can also be found at this monument. These fountains symbolize the Adriatic Sea and the Tyrrhenian Sea.
#10. Baths of Caracalla
Here at the Baths of Caracalla lies the foundation upon which many bathhouses are inspired. This huge bathing facility can be visited on approximately 11 hectares, for which you have to take some time. While the outside was fairly austere, the inside was anything but. Marble floors, mosaic walls, columns with cornices, profier and granite. It couldn’t stop. The whole could accommodate about 1600 people.
