Rome

Built between 72 and 90 AD by the Emperor Vespasian, the Flavian Amphitheater, commonly known as the" Colosseum", housed up to fifty thousand people. The Colosseum was the meeting place of gladiator fights, a symbol of strength and power like the Roman Empire itself.

The Pantheon is known for its colonnade and the imposing dome are the symbol of the temple dedicated to all the deities. Built between 118 and 125 AD during the empire of Hadrian, it is an emblem of the technical and architectural skills of civilization. A huge cylindrical wall(the Rotunda) over 6 meters thick supports the monumental dome, the largest vault built in masonry. From the Renaissance onwards this place has been used as a tomb for famous people, including Raphael.

The Roman Forum is a vast archaeological area and contains one of the best known streets in Rome, the Via dei Fori Imperiali. The first settlement of Rome was certainly on the Palatine Hill. The palaces were built on hills, while the forum was built at the foot as we can see today. Here you can find: the Temple of Castor and Pollux, the Arch of Septimius Severus, the Arch of Constantine and the Arch of Titus. According to legend, the she-wolf suckled Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

Not far from the Roman Forum, at the other end of Via dei Foro Imperiali, you can find Piazza Venezia, one of the main squares of Rome. From there, all roads lead to the main tourist attractions of Rome.

Here it is possible to admire the Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, also called" Altare della Patria" or"Vittoriano", a huge building in white marble dedicated to the first king of Italy, Vittorio Emanuele II.

Next to the square, there is also the famous Trajan's Column, with bas-reliefs that trace the military conquests of the emperor Trajan.

From the roof of the building you can also enjoy a superb panoramic view of the whole city.

The beautiful and imposing construction of the Trevi Fountain represents the sea and will leave you breathless. This fountain, made known by Anita Ekberg in Federico Fellini's film “La dolce vita”, is a majestic Baroque-style fountain designed by Nicola Salvi in 1730. It is the outlet of the Roman Acqua Virgo aqueduct and is always visited by a large number of tourists.

Piazza Navona was built on the Stadium of Domitian(1st century AD) and owes its particular oval shape to it. Main attraction of the square is Bernini's Fountain of the Four Rivers, which represents the Danube, the Ganges, the Nile and the Rio de la Plata . Also worthy of mention is the Fountain of Neptune by Giacono alla Porta located in the same square.

It was Michelangelo who designed the Piazza del Campidoglio and the museum buildings. In the Capitoline Museum, which is located in the Palazzo dei Conservatori, there are statues and artifacts. On the second floor of the building there are works, among others, by Caravaggio and Titian.

Castel Sant'Angelo was built to be the sepulcher of the emperor Hadrian and his descendants. Today Castel Sant'Angelo houses a permanent national museum and temporary exhibitions.

Visiting the castle, it is possible to walk along the mighty ramparts overlooking the river and admire a 360 ° panorama over the city. Famous is the terrace of the Angel, so called because a colossal statue of the Archangel Michael was placed there.

St. Peter's Basilica, symbol of the Vatican State, is one of the largest churches in the world and the opposite St. Peter's Square, with its colonnade, on the sides seems to welcome visitors, like two open arms.

The Basilica of San Pietro, built in the place where St. Peter would have been crucified and following a previous basilica, was inaugurated in 1626.

Numerous important artists of the time took part in the project. Also inside the Basilica it is possible to admire works of inestimable value, such as the" Pietà by Michelangelo" and other important treasures of Renaissance art.

The Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls is one of the four papal basilicas in the city and the second largest after St. Peter's Basilica. Also a UNESCO heritage site, inside it contains representations of the entire genealogy of popes.

The Gardens of Villa Borghese represent the largest and most beautiful public park in all of Rome.

Here it will be possible to walk among its wide shaded alleys and on the shore of a lake surrounded by temples, statues and many fountains. The park also has a splendid botanical garden. In the Borghese Gallery there are works by Titian, Raphael and Caravaggio.

A nice place to visit near Villa Borghese is Piazza del Popolo. It is one of the largest squares in Rome and an important point of interest, with its fountains, three churches and the obelisk. From the square it is possible to climb the stairs to the top of the hill, from where you will have a splendid view up to the Vatican.

Piazza di Spagna is one of the most famous squares, thanks to the splendid perspective it offers. It is located at the foot of the monumental staircase, which leads to the Trinità dei Monti church. On the square, there is the Barcaccia fountain, which adds even more charm to this place.