Sightseeing in Rome - what to see. Complete travel guide

The Eternal City has attracted the attention of millions of people for more than 2000 years. It is still one of the most beautiful and romantic cities in the world. Rome is the essence of “dolce vita”. Numerous clothing stores by Italian designers, ice cream, creamy cappuccino and fine wines - the choice is always up to you.

What place is the best one to start? Is it possible to tell a brief history of the Eternal City? It is unlikely that this can be done in a few words. In any case, one very important date will always be mentioned - April 21, 753 BC. This is the day, when Romulus founded the city of Rome. Not long before this event he killed his twin brother Remus. During the following centuries a small city-state turned into a powerful empire. The reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, 161-180 BC, is considered the period of prosperity of the ancient Rome. Just like centuries ago, the modern city is situated on seven hills - the Aventine Hill, the Caelian Hill, the Palatine Hill, the Capitoline Hill, the Esquiline Hill, the Quirinal Hill and the Viminal Hill. The central districts of the city are located in the Campo Marzio . This is also the location of the most famous landmarks of Rome. The districts of Trastevere , which is situated on the opposite bank of the Tiber, and Monti are also known all over the world. Do not forget to visit Pigneto , the city quarter that is usually called “the most Roman quarter in the city”.

The Coliseum.
The amphitheater of Flavius was built in the first century AD. The amphitheater was built right on the site of the artificial sea made by order of Nero. The building of the Coliseum was an attempt to erase bad memories about Nero and to return love of ordinary people. The Coliseum was the largest amphitheater of its type in the Roman Empire. The building of the Coliseum was finished in 80 AD. In order to celebrate the grand opening, Emperor Titus ordered to organize games in its arena. The games lasted 100 days and included battles of gladiators, battles of cranes and elephants. Approximately 9,000 animals were killed during these fights. Later, the amphitheater was expanded. One more row of seats was added, as well as some new passages and rooms under the arena. Nowadays, the amphitheater of Flavius is known as the Coliseum. Most probably, the structure received this name because of the 40-meter sculpture (or "Colossus") of Nero that stood nearby, and not because of the size of the construction as many think. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Piazza di Trevi.
Trevi Fountain is well known far beyond the borders of the city. The fountain is located on a small square Piazza di Trevi. The design of the fountain was inspired by the ocean - winged horses and young sea gods are harnessed to a fighting chariot, on which the god of the sea Neptune moves across the ocean. The fountain is 26 meters in height and 22 meters in width. Trevi Fountain has become internationally famous thanks to the movie «La Dolce Vita» (1960), in which the Swedish beauty Anita Ekberg dances under its jets. By the way, she did not dance under the real fountain, it was just a studio set. In 1995, model Claudia Schiffer could swim in the water of the original fountain. She did that for the advertising campaign of the Italian designer Valentino.

Forum Romanum.
Forum Romanum was the political and religious center of Rome during the times of the Roman Empire. All most important decisions about executions and wars were made here. Later, after the fall of the Roman Empire, Forum Romanum was steadily forgotten and abandoned. Archeological excavations were started here only in the XIX century. The Forum is located approximately 10 meters below the level of Via dei Fori Imperiali Avenue that is located nearby. The remains of the Roman Empire still lie under this heavy traffic road.

The Pantheon.
The Pantheon is one of the main temples of the city. It is located on Piazza della Rotonda. The Pantheon was built in 27 BC, destroyed by fire, and then rebuilt in 125 AD. In the XVII century, Pope Boniface IV decided to place a church in the Pantheon. This is the main reason why the classical circular building with a colonnade in front of it managed to survive, unlike the majority of pagan temples. This place is also the location of graves of two famous Italians - Raphael and Victor Emmanuel II. The word "pantheon" means "dedicated to all gods".

The Sistine Chapel.
The Sistine Chapel was built between 1475 and 1483 by order of Pope Sixtus IV. It is located in the Vatican Museum. The Sistine Chapel is famous all over the world because of two reasons. Firstly, the chapel is the location of the famous frescoes by Michelangelo, The Last Judgment and The Creation of Adam (the famous two hands, which are about to touch each other). Secondly, by order of Pope Sixtus IV starting from the XV century the chapel hosts conclaves - secret meetings, during which cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church elect a new pope. When white smoke rises from the chimney of the chapel, this means that the choice is made.

Santa Maria Maggiore.
The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is one of the largest and most significant churches of Rome. The basilica is located in Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. The church was founded in 431 AD by order of Pope Sixtus III. It is primarily famous for its luxurious carved wooden ceiling, during the construction of which was used gold that had been allegedly brought from America by Columbus. Visitors should also not forget to pay attention to beautiful mosaic pictures that depict various biblical scenes, as well as panels and the floor of the basilica.

Villa Borghese.
This is a museum of art located in the same beautiful landscape park near the Spanish Stairs. The museum exhibits an extensive collection of works of art of the Renaissance period. Here visitors will be able to see paintings by Titian, Raphael, Rubens and Leonardo da Vinci, as well as sculptures by Bernini and Antonio Canova.