Known as the “Eternal City”, Rome is filled with two millennia of history, as well as being exciting and current, making it an unmissable holiday destination. Rome is packed with things to see and do, so to make life a little easier, here are the Top 10 sights you should see in the beautiful Roma!
1) COLOSSEUM
Considered as the symbol of the Roman Empire, this is one of the most interesting sights in Rome. Building the Colosseum took over 10 years, and was finally finished in 80AD. It was used for all kinds of entertainment, perhaps most famously, the gladiator events. The Colosseum was also the sight of public executions, giving the elliptical stadium a ghostly feeling. This awe-inspiring arena is definitely one of the highlights of Rome.
2) SPANISH STEPS
The 138 Spanish Steps were built in the 17th century by Francesco De Sanctis, getting their name from their close proximity to the Spanish Embassy in Rome. The Scalinata is the widest staircase in Europe, showing visitors stunning views over the city. Visit the steps at Christmas time and you will be greeted by a replica of the nativity scene, but the steps are probably most glorious in late spring, when flower sellers dominate, and the steps are covered in pots of azaleas.
3) ROMAN FORUM
For centuries, the Roman Forum was the centre of Roman public life. In Ancient Rome it was the sight of processions, elections, public debates and speeches and was the hub of commerce; it is perhaps unsurprising then to note that it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in all history. Today, the Forum is made up of many archeological remains, attracting many people daily. In a small way, it is still the scene of meeting for the millions who visit the sight.
4) BASILICA DI SAN PIETRO
The largest church in Christianity, the Basilica die San Pietro, has been said to overlook Rome like the hands of God. Located west of the river Tibet, the stunning church dominates the skyline of Rome, and it has been said that whoever arrives there feels welcomed by a spiritual embrace. The church is named after Peter, the first apostle and first pope, who died by crucifixion on the Vatican Hills.
The interior of the basilica is made up of finest marble and the inside is truly impressive, particularly when you consider that it can take in up to 20,000 worshippers. It is not only a church but also an extraordinary museum with invaluable pieces of art.
5) VATIKAN MUSEUM AND SISTINE CHAPEL
When visiting the Vatican museum you go out of Italy into the smallest country in the world, the Vatican, just 42,000 square metres wide. Seeing everything in a single visit is just impossible. The Sistine Chapel is arguably the best part of the Vatican. Famous for its outstanding architecture and decoration, it is the artwork, pained by the best Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Sandro Botticelli that makes the Chapel so breathtaking. The masterpiece painted by Michelangelo onto the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Rome.
6) PANTHEON
The Pantheon is a magnificent ancient temple in Rome, built in reverence to all the Gods of the ancient Roman Empire. Dating from 125 AD this is the most spectacular sight in Rome and the one of the ancient buildings which is most complete, really giving you a sense of what it would have been like for visitors in ancient times.
In 609 the building was given to Pope Boniface IV, who re-consecrated it as a Catholic church, the "Santa Maria ad Martyrs" or the "Church of Mary and all the Martyr Saints". A 9-metre hole in the roof of the building, the oculus, lets in the daylight, and it's easy to see the spiritual significance that this link to the heavens would have possessed.
The Pantheon is one of the greatest of all Rome’s sights and one of the most evocative buildings in the world!
7) CIRCUS MAXIMUS
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman entertainment stadium which was primarily used for chariot racing. Four times bigger than the biggest stadium in use today, it is the biggest sports stadium ever built at 2,037 feet. The building was damaged by fire several times, but after each fire it was repaired, rebuilt or even enlarged.
After the games in 549AD the Circus Maximus fell into disuse and slowly began to fall apart, however in recent times it has been rejuvenated, and is the sight of large sporting events and concerts, including Live 8.
8) CAPITOLINE HILL
The Capitoline Hill is one of Rome’s seven hills and used to be the nerve centre of the Roman Empire, being the place where the city’s first and holiest temples stood. Today it is the home of the Capitoline Museum, filled with fascinating Roman artefacts.
The Capitoline contains few ancient ground-level ruins, as they are almost entirely covered up by Medieval and Renaissance palaces that surround a piazza designed by Michelangelo.
9) PONS FABRICIUS
The Pons Fabricius is the oldest Roman bridge to have survived in the city. Built in 62 BC by L.Fabricius curator viarum it has been in continuous use ever since. In the Middle Ages it was called "Pons Judeurum" (Jewish bridge) because of the proximity of Ghetto. The bridge is adorned by four stone heads on two bodies leading to it being nicknamed ‘quattro capi’, or the bridge of four heads.
10) BATHS OF CARACALLA
The red-brick ruins of the Baths of Caracalla are situated southeast of the ancient city centre. The complex housed bathing facilities with seats for more than 1600 people and baths played an important role in the lives of the Roman citizens. The ritual bathing was an extensive process starting with a hot bath. Next up was the lukewarm tepidarium, followed by the cold frigidarium and finally ended by a swim in the natatio, an open air swimming pool.
The complex also contained leisure facilities such as libraries, gymnasiums, gardens, art galleries and restaurants. The Baths of Caracalla was known for its rich interior with its marble seats, mosaic covered walls and floors as well as fountains and statues.
1) COLOSSEUM
Considered as the symbol of the Roman Empire, this is one of the most interesting sights in Rome. Building the Colosseum took over 10 years, and was finally finished in 80AD. It was used for all kinds of entertainment, perhaps most famously, the gladiator events. The Colosseum was also the sight of public executions, giving the elliptical stadium a ghostly feeling. This awe-inspiring arena is definitely one of the highlights of Rome.
2) SPANISH STEPS
The 138 Spanish Steps were built in the 17th century by Francesco De Sanctis, getting their name from their close proximity to the Spanish Embassy in Rome. The Scalinata is the widest staircase in Europe, showing visitors stunning views over the city. Visit the steps at Christmas time and you will be greeted by a replica of the nativity scene, but the steps are probably most glorious in late spring, when flower sellers dominate, and the steps are covered in pots of azaleas.
3) ROMAN FORUM
For centuries, the Roman Forum was the centre of Roman public life. In Ancient Rome it was the sight of processions, elections, public debates and speeches and was the hub of commerce; it is perhaps unsurprising then to note that it has been called the most celebrated meeting place in all history. Today, the Forum is made up of many archeological remains, attracting many people daily. In a small way, it is still the scene of meeting for the millions who visit the sight.
4) BASILICA DI SAN PIETRO
The largest church in Christianity, the Basilica die San Pietro, has been said to overlook Rome like the hands of God. Located west of the river Tibet, the stunning church dominates the skyline of Rome, and it has been said that whoever arrives there feels welcomed by a spiritual embrace. The church is named after Peter, the first apostle and first pope, who died by crucifixion on the Vatican Hills.
The interior of the basilica is made up of finest marble and the inside is truly impressive, particularly when you consider that it can take in up to 20,000 worshippers. It is not only a church but also an extraordinary museum with invaluable pieces of art.
5) VATIKAN MUSEUM AND SISTINE CHAPEL
When visiting the Vatican museum you go out of Italy into the smallest country in the world, the Vatican, just 42,000 square metres wide. Seeing everything in a single visit is just impossible. The Sistine Chapel is arguably the best part of the Vatican. Famous for its outstanding architecture and decoration, it is the artwork, pained by the best Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Bernini and Sandro Botticelli that makes the Chapel so breathtaking. The masterpiece painted by Michelangelo onto the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel is undoubtedly one of the highlights of Rome.
6) PANTHEON
The Pantheon is a magnificent ancient temple in Rome, built in reverence to all the Gods of the ancient Roman Empire. Dating from 125 AD this is the most spectacular sight in Rome and the one of the ancient buildings which is most complete, really giving you a sense of what it would have been like for visitors in ancient times.
In 609 the building was given to Pope Boniface IV, who re-consecrated it as a Catholic church, the "Santa Maria ad Martyrs" or the "Church of Mary and all the Martyr Saints". A 9-metre hole in the roof of the building, the oculus, lets in the daylight, and it's easy to see the spiritual significance that this link to the heavens would have possessed.
The Pantheon is one of the greatest of all Rome’s sights and one of the most evocative buildings in the world!
7) CIRCUS MAXIMUS
The Circus Maximus is an ancient Roman entertainment stadium which was primarily used for chariot racing. Four times bigger than the biggest stadium in use today, it is the biggest sports stadium ever built at 2,037 feet. The building was damaged by fire several times, but after each fire it was repaired, rebuilt or even enlarged.
After the games in 549AD the Circus Maximus fell into disuse and slowly began to fall apart, however in recent times it has been rejuvenated, and is the sight of large sporting events and concerts, including Live 8.
8) CAPITOLINE HILL
The Capitoline Hill is one of Rome’s seven hills and used to be the nerve centre of the Roman Empire, being the place where the city’s first and holiest temples stood. Today it is the home of the Capitoline Museum, filled with fascinating Roman artefacts.
The Capitoline contains few ancient ground-level ruins, as they are almost entirely covered up by Medieval and Renaissance palaces that surround a piazza designed by Michelangelo.
9) PONS FABRICIUS
The Pons Fabricius is the oldest Roman bridge to have survived in the city. Built in 62 BC by L.Fabricius curator viarum it has been in continuous use ever since. In the Middle Ages it was called "Pons Judeurum" (Jewish bridge) because of the proximity of Ghetto. The bridge is adorned by four stone heads on two bodies leading to it being nicknamed ‘quattro capi’, or the bridge of four heads.
10) BATHS OF CARACALLA
The red-brick ruins of the Baths of Caracalla are situated southeast of the ancient city centre. The complex housed bathing facilities with seats for more than 1600 people and baths played an important role in the lives of the Roman citizens. The ritual bathing was an extensive process starting with a hot bath. Next up was the lukewarm tepidarium, followed by the cold frigidarium and finally ended by a swim in the natatio, an open air swimming pool.
The complex also contained leisure facilities such as libraries, gymnasiums, gardens, art galleries and restaurants. The Baths of Caracalla was known for its rich interior with its marble seats, mosaic covered walls and floors as well as fountains and statues.
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