The city of Rome, also known as Caput Mundi during the existence of the Roman Empire, has been the capital of Italy from 1870 onwards. This influential city is home to the Catholic Church and the government of Italy.
The city is located near the banks of river Tiber and is the most populous city in this country. The city of Rome is well situated in the heart of the Italian peninsula with great transportation options for everyone trying the visit the city from different parts of the country or abroad. This city is the political, religious, and cultural capital of the country offering numerous events of national and international importance throughout the year.
Some of the most exciting events that tourists can look forward to are Museum shows, Crafts fair, Literature festival, Opera Season, Tennis Masters, and similar kinds of events. Rome as a city is the most powerful place in Italy due to all the administrative and political activities taking place in this city. The city has a rich heritage and culture that brings forward brilliant artistic patrimony reflections of the glorious past of this city. Rome was home to the great renaissance artists such as Raphael, Michelangelo, and others from that bygone era
The city of Rome has a Mediterranean climate with the right kind of season from April to June and from mid-September to first week of November. These are the seasons when tourists can have a comfortable time visiting this wonderful city. Rome offers great musical, educational, sports, and theater opportunities in the country. The original language of the city was Latin, which changed over time with the locals adopting the Romanesque dialect, which is more like the standard Italian language. Another unique thing about this city is the presence of a sovereign state, known as Vatican City within its limits.
PLACE TO VISIT
Colosseum - or Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre is an elliptical
amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman
Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering.
Occupying a site just east of the Roman Forum, its construction started between 70 and
72 AD under the emperor Vespasian and was completed in 80 AD under Titus, with
further modifications being made during Domitian's reign (81–96).The name
"Amphitheatrum Flavium" derives from both Vespasian's and Titus' family name ("Flavius,
from the gens Flavia). Originally capable of seating around 50,000 spectators, the
Colosseum was used for gladiatorial contests and public spectacles. It remained in use
for nearly 500 years with the last recorded games being held there as late as the 6th
century.
The Pantheon - A marvel of ancient architecture, this ancient temple to all the gods
is celebrated for its large dome, copied during Greek and Roman revival periods by such
designers as Thomas Jefferson, who modeled his Monticello and the Rotunda at the
University of Virginia on it. Built during the reign of the emperor Hadrian (AD 125-128), the
Pantheon carries a dedication to Marcus Agrippa, who built the original structure on this
spot in 27 BC. As it is still a functioning church, silence is requested during your visit.
From inside the Pantheon, you'll see traces of the former bronze ceiling, melted down
during the reign of Pope Urban VIII to make bombards to for the fortification of the Castel
Sant' Angelo. The hole in the center of the ceiling, though, is an original feature designed
to admit light. Guides will tell you the spectacular doors are original, but the original
bronze doors were also melted down by Pope Urban and might have been used to create
Borromini and Bernini's Baldacchino in Saint Peter's.
Roman Forum - If stones could talk: these hallowed ruins were the most powerful
seat of government in the world. The Forum is much less crowded than the Colosseum
and, from a historical perspective, much more interesting. Free admission, except for an
audio guide, which is highly recommended. To stand in the political, legal and religious
centre of the whole Roman Empire brings shivers down one's spine. It is the best way of
imagining the splendour and glory of ancient Rome.
Tabularium - The remains of the ancient Roman archives, where Cicero and Seneca
did research. Visible from the Forum and accessible through the Capitoline Museum.
Circus Maximus - The contours of the ancient stadium are still visible in a city park
across the Palatine from the Forum. It was in one of the tunnels here that Caligula met
his end.
Palatine Hill - right next to the Roman Forum, contains the ruins of several large
villas that belonged to wealthy Roman families. You can buy a combined ticket for the
Palatine Hill and the Colosseum here, avoiding the long lines at the Colosseum.
Fori Imperiali - Entry €7 (cheaper for EU nationals, free for EU history students). The
inside of the fort is very similar to a museum, with a lot of rooms containing items in
glass cases. It is a bit of a maze and takes time to orient yourself, but it is worth climbing
to very top for a view of the city and the Vatican. As of late June 2007, it is closed for
restoration, but you can still see a lot of it from the road.
Palazzo Massimo - A magnificent collection of ancient Roman sculptures,
mosaics and wall paintings, including the famous paintings from the Imperial-era villa
discovered under the Villa Farnesina, as well as the bedroom from the Empress Livia's
villa at Prima Porta.
Galleria Borghese - A small museum that concentrates on the quality rather than
the size of its collection. There are some very notable works by Antonio Canova and Gian
Lorenzo Bernini here. The number of people admitted is limited to 200 every 2 hours, so
make a reservation on-line well in advance for the time slot you want. No cameras are
allowed Full and Student €12.50, Concessions €9.00.
St. Pietro - St Peter's - where the Pope resides. Said to be the finest church on the
planet. Long queues for entry, but queuing time is not very long. Strict dress code,
entrance is denied if not followed. The basil and tombs of the popes are free. Access to
the cupola is €7 using lift, and €4 using stairs. Even with lift, about 350 steps must be
climbed.
Sant' Ivo della Sapienza - This little church is hard to find but well worth the extra
effort. It is located only a block from Piazza Navona, but not usually visible from the street,
as one must enter the courtyard of an old palazzo to reach the church. Sant'Ivo is a small
church shaped like the Star of David, with an amazing star-shaped dome and whimsical
steeple.
San Luigi dei Francesi - This church is roughly halfway between Piazza Navona
and the Pantheon. It is most notable for a side chapel which contains three Caravaggio
masterworks: "The Calling of St. Matthew", "St. Matthew and the Angel" and "Martyrdom of
St. Matthew"
San Giovanni in Laterano - this is the cathedral church of Rome and first of the
major basilicas. It's also the Pope's (as Bishop of Rome) Church. Be sure to check out
the fourth century baptistry (still in use) and the medieval cloister.
San Paolo fuori le Mura - also known as St Paul's Outside the Walls. This is on
the outskirts of Rome in an otherwise drab modern neighborhood. The church is a faithful
reconstruction of the ancient basilica which burned down in the early 1800s. Don't miss
the medieval cloister, which survived the fire.
Capuchin Monastery - On Via Veneto, right by Piazza Barberini. The crypt of the
church contains a macabre display - a series of chapels decorated with the bones of
thousands of dead monks. The bones are glued to the walls and ceilings in bizarre and
striking decorations.
San Clemente - a great little cathedral to visit, with an excavated older church below
and a pagan temple below that. The only place in Rome to hear the underground river
that flows beneath the city. Very close to the Colosseum.
Santa Maria in Trastevere - one of the oldest churches in the city. The nave is
lined with a mismatched collection of columns taken from ancient Roman buildings. The
apse is covered in gold mosaics from the 13th century, arguably the finest mosaics in the
city.
Largo di Torre Argentina - an excavation of four roman temples and Pompeys
theater. The largo is also home to a large amount of cats which are tended by the local
animal rights organization.
Piazza di Trevi - where you can find the famous Fontana di Trevi. It's not a very big
piazza and gets very crowded very quickly.
Piazza Navona - Used to be an ancient stadium built by the emperor Domitian and
still retains the shape. The fountains are by Bernini and are very notable. Piazza Pasquino
is just round the corner.
Piazza Pasquino - piazza about 20m from Piazza Navona. There is a statue here
named "Pasquino", apparently named after a tailor working nearby who had a reputation
for complaining. The statue is now used as a place to hang messages, complaints and
other opinions which has to be shared with the world. The piazza is also home to Cul de
Sac, one of the best enoteca in Rome.
Piazza della Minerva- a small piazza just behind the Pantheon. The centerpiece
is a statue of an elephant by Bernini with an ancient obelisk on its back
Piazza del Campidoglio - On top of the Capitol hill. It was designed by
Michelangelo. The Capitoline Museum is housed in the palaces flanking the piazza. You
can walk behind the palaces and to a wonderful viewpoint which overlooks the entire
Forum
Palazzo Venezia - In the very heart of the city center, the building was for centuries
ago the seat of the Venice embassy. Today it houses a museum and galleries art.
Palazzo della Sapienza - . Close to Navona square, this building housed the
University of Rome since the middle of the 15th century until 1935. The splendid interior
courtyard was created by Giacomo della Porta. The inside church of St Ivo is one of the
masterpieces of Architect Borromini.
Castel Sant'Angelo - Perhaps the most fascinating building in Rome. The core of
the structure began life as the mausoleum of the Emperor Hadrian, built between 135
and 139 AD. Subsequent strongholds built on top of the mausoleum were in turn
incorporated into a residence and castle by medieval Popes. The building was used as a
prison until 1870, but now houses a museum. Opera buffs will be exhilarated to visit the
balcony from which Tosca leaps to her death.
EVENTS
Roma Sana - Mediterranean Trade Fair for Natural Products with exhibitions of
biological products, conferences and tasting.
Republic Day - Military parade celebrating the formation of the republic on the
second day of June. Takes place on the road Via dei Fori Imperiali, with the "Frecce
Tricolori" of the Italian Air Force.
Roman Summers - Various events from music to theater, literary meetings and
cinema. Events that take place in the most characteristic places in Rome that attract the
participation of thousands of artists from all over the world.
Roma Europa Festival - Annual appointment for modern art and theatre, music
and dance, with artists from of all Europe.
Festival Romics - Comics and Cartoon Festival: exhibitions, cartoon film showings
of designers and publishing companies.
White Night (notte bianca) - various events and plus shops and restaurants,
museums stay open while the Roman Notte Bianca stages music, dance and theater
events.
HOW TO REACH
By plane - Rome has two main international airports:
Leonardo da Vinci International Airport (Rome Fiumicino, code FCO) - well organized and
connected to the center of the city by public transportation
Ciampino International Airport - (Rome Ciampino, code CIA) located to the south of the
capital, confusingly on via Leonardo Da Vinci.
By train - Rome's main railway station is Termini Station. Like any other train station,
it's not very safe at night. It's also locked up between 00:30 and 04:30, when the only
people hanging around outside are taxi drivers and the homeless. Most long-distance
trains passing through Rome between these times will stop at Tiburtina station instead.
Other main stations include Ostiense, Trastevere, Tuscolana, Tiburtina.
By car - Roman traffic is chaotic, so it is better to use public means, if possible, while
in Rome. A valid alternative is to rent a scooter which costs about 40€ per day.
By boat - Cruise ships dock in Civitavecchia, one hour north by train. Most cruise lines
offer some form of transportation to Rome.
Ferries from Barcelona, Tunis, Toulon (France), Porto-Vecchio (Corsica): http://www.
grimaldi-ferries.com
To Olbia, Sardinia - http://www.moby.it
Now it is possible to dock in new Porto di Roma, Ostia, located a few kilometers from
Rome and linked by train and metro.
