It is called the “Eternal” city but perhaps it would be better to say the “Infinite” city.
Because Rome is not just a city, but it is actually in a different dimension, so be prepared to be moved by its infinite beauty, present in every stone, nook and even in the air.
Whether it is a ruin of ancient Rome or the perfect lines of a classical or renaissance building, or the sinuous wealth of a baroque construction, everything combines to create a dimension of art and history, culture and faith, making this city unique and the ultimate destination for every single world traveller.
Then, if we add the magic of the cinema which helped to promote the city, Fellini’s Dolce Vita or the scooter rides in Roman Holiday, then the masterpiece is complete.
For 34 centuries Rome has been one of the most important and well known cities in the world. From a historic point of view it is truly unique: proof of this can in part be found in the Etruscan tombs, in the Republican Forums, in the Imperial Temples, the Paleo-christian basilicas, the medieval bell towers, the renaissance buildings and the baroque churches.
Rome is a city of passion, it rose to become Italy’s capital city thanks to its glorious past and it is also, geographically, at the heart of the country. All roads lead to Rome, as the popular saying goes, and it is unthinkable for an Italian to not visit Rome, Caput Mondi (the capital of the world), at least once in their life, to admire the Colosseum, St Peters, the Imperial Forums and to enjoy a typical Roman pasta dish “Bucatini all’amatriciana”. Where, if not in Rome can you admire a colonnade of the XVII century, designed by the architect Bernini, which is in the shadow of an Egyptian Obelisk, removed from Eliopoli when Jesus was still alive?
Historically speaking, Rome is one of a kind, in one city alone it covers the entire history of Europe and of the Mediterranean. One element of Rome has never changed, over and over the city seduces and it has a strong appeal, despite the problems such an enormous city can bring when it comes to easy-living, traffic and chaos. There is always something new to discover in Rome, something you can stop and observe, it is a city where the present is alive and it interweaves with the past in the original context of its inhabitants and their typical “romanesco” way of speaking.
Rome’s historic centre is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it could not be considered otherwise: it can boast of splendid buildings, churches and millenary basilicas, roman ruins, monuments, statues and ornate fountains.
Rome has a marvellous collection of “piazze” or squares, you will discover them during our tours, they are wonderful places for a well-deserved rest. Piazza Navona is one of the most famous Roman squares, it covers the ruins of an arena built by the Emperor Domitian in the year 86 AD. It is easy to spot thanks to its three central fountains, including the “Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi” designed by the architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, and to the baroque buildings around it. During the Renaissance, on the occasion of special celebrations, the square was flooded with the water and naval battles were simulated in this water. A favourite meeting place for tourists is “Piazza di Spagna” which is at the feet of the “scalinata di Trinità dei Monti” otherwise known as the Spanish Steps. To the right of the steps is the Keats-Shelley Memorial. The square has also been embellished by a fountain in the shape of a boat (called in Italian “la Barcaccia”), which is said to be an opera of Pietro Bernini, father of the famous Gian Lorenzo. Piazza di Spagna leads into Via Condotti, the street par excellence for boutiques and shopping gurus, and at no. 86 is the famous Caffè Greco, Rome’s oldest caffè.
In the Trevi district is another truly famous Roman landmark, this time it is not a square but a fountain, the Trevi Fountain.
This is perhaps the most famous fountain in the world, in addition to its architecture it was also immortalised in Federico Fellini’s famous film La Dolce Vita. Behind the Trevi Fountain we can find the baroque “Pallazzo Poli” and we cannot fail to mention the “Piazza del Quirinale”. From here you can enjoy a magnificent view of Rome, St Peter’s and Piazza Venezia, which, in turn is dominated by the so-called “type writer” monument – an immense structure dedicated to the King Vittorio Emanuele II, whose official name is “Altare della Patria” (Altar of the Fatherland) and it is sometimes called the “Vittoriano” after the king himself. This national memorial was built between 1885 and 1888 and inside is the body of an Unknown Soldier. Not far from here is “Piazza Barberini”, which is home to the “Fontana del Tritone” fountain, designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in 1643.
Piazza Barberini leads to Via Veneto, Rome’s beating heart in the 50’s and 60’s when Anita Ekberg was the symbol of the “Dolce Vita” life; that typical Fellini atmosphere has disappeared, but this street still inspires the fashion lovers. In harsh contrast with the frivolous past, we can find the austere “Santa Maria della Concezione” church, with its rococo decorations and a cemetery where the remains of 4000 monks lie. Finally, you cannot miss “Campo de’ Fiori”, a lively square that comes to life every morning (except Sunday) with a picturesque flower market, where it is also possible to find fresh fruit and vegetables.
This is the only square in Rome where there is no church, and it is located on boundary of the Parione and Regola districts and the splendid renaissance Palazzo Farnese frames it. The popular atmosphere of this area is genuine and alive, the same you can find when watching, for example the film of the same name “Campo de’ Fiori” starring Anna Magnani and Aldo Fabrizi. Take a stroll to through the Testaccio market too, this is where real “Romans” go..In fact a Roman saying says that “if the stuff isn’t good the Testaccio merchants, will take you and give you a beating!”.
Rome is unforgettable for anyone who visits it, and it is difficult to describe in just a few pages. At sunset, the city is bathed in incomparable, ever-changing hues. An eternal city and you will find out why when you visit its largest monuments, from the Colosseum, to the Palatino, to the Campidoglio, or also just strolling down its ancient streets…among the seven hills of Rome, where history, art and culture live on forever.
Another church worth visiting is the Santa Maria in Cosmedin Basilica, one of the city’s most beautiful medieval churches, which is famous because of the “Bocca della Verità” – Mouth of Truth – a large marble disc which looks like Triton’s mask. The legend goes that anyone who tells a lie and who puts their right hand into the mouth will have their hand bitten off by the mask.
The visitor’s route through modern-day Rome is concentrated in particular west of the central railway station. While, the Palatino, the Roman Forum and the nearby Colosseum, are all at the heart of Ancient Rome.
The charming “Via del Corso” links the Forum to the “Piazza del Popolo” to the north, and not far to the east of this axis are the Spanish Steps and the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona and Trastevere. North west of the Forum, on the other side of the Tiber river is the Vatican. If you have little time and want to visit the city in a few days the “not to miss” sights are the Colosseum, the Domus Aurea, the San Giovanni Basilica, the Campidoglio, the Capitolini Museums, the Roman Forum, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, the Pantheon, St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and…
It is impossible to make an exhaustive list, Rome’s tourist attractions are never-ending, so:
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