Places to visit in Rome

1) The Pantheon:(church)temple of all gods :

The Pantheon is a magnificent ancient temple in Rome that was later converted into the church of Santa Maria ad Martyres.This is the most complete ancient building in Rome and one of the city's most spectacular sights. The Pantheon is the burial place of several important Italians (including the artist Raphael), and it remains an active church. It is a major tourist destination and a popular place for weddings.

2)Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva:

The only Gothic church in Rome, the Basilica Santa Maria sopra Minerva (Basilica of St. Mary over Minerva)is so named because it was built directly on the foundationsof a temple to Minerva, the goddess of wisdom. The basilica that stands today was begun in 1280. Architectural changes and redecorations in the 1500s and 1900s stripped it of some of its magnificence, but it still includes an awe-inspiring collection of medieval and Renaissance tombs.

3) Colosseum:

The Colosseum or Roman Coliseum, originally theFlavian Amphitheatre (Latin: Amphitheatrum Flavium,Italian Anfiteatro Flavio or Colosseo), is an elliptical amphitheatre in the center of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire.It is considered one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and Roman engineering.

Built in the 1st century AD, this great arena could seat 50,000 spectators.It hosted gladiatorial combats, spectacles with wild beastsand possibly the execution of early Christians.Throughout the Middle Ages, the Colosseum was believed to be a place of martyrdom and was therefore regarded as a sacred place.

4)Roman Forum:

Also known by its original Latin designation (Latin: Forum Romanum)is located between the Palatine Hill and the Capitoline Hill of the city of Rome,Italy.Citizens of the ancient city referred to the location as the "Forum Magnum" or just the "Forum". It is part of the centralised area around which the ancient Roman civilization developed. One of the most popular attractions in the world, overcrowding at the Roman Forums is certainly nothing new.

Even before thousands of years of lootingbrought down some of the finest examples of Rome's wealth, this overcrowding. At the center of most Roman cities was a big open space called the Forum. People met there to do business, to sell things and buy things, to see their friends, to find out about the news, and even to go to school.This is the main forum in Rome, the biggest and the most important of the Roman fora (one forum, two fora). People first began meeting in this forum around 500 BC, at the time of the founding of the Roman Republic. Little by little, rich men added temples, statues, triumphal arches, and basilicas to the forum, until by the time of Julius Caesar the forum was very crowded.

5)Palatine Hill:

The Palatine Hill is the centermost of the Seven Hills of Rome and is one of the most ancient parts of the city. It stands 40 metres[1] above the Forum Romanum, looking down upon it on one side, and upon the Circus Maximus on the other.

6)Trajan Market:

The covered hall of Trajan's market was designed by the emperor's ingenius architect Apollodorus of Damascus. It represents the ancient equivalent of the modern shopping centre, housing no less than 150 shops and offices.The offices are believed to have been used to administer the corn dole. The shops varied in size, thoguh most were rather small. The customer would most likely approach the shop keeper at the door andthen be

served there, rather than actually entering the room. The main hall provides a spacious vaulted chamber on which shops line the walls on two floors. Walking through the market, there seems no end of alleys and corridors with little shops in them. Behind the colonnade running along the main square of Trajan's Forum, you can clearly make out the curved facade of the markets which still stand today.

7)Piazza venezia:

Unlike several more pleasant Roman piazza's like the Piazza del Popolo or the Piazza Navona, Piazza Veneziachaotic traffic dominates the square.While you won't be able to relax here, there are some sights around the square worth visiting.The Piazza Venezia is a piazza in central Rome, Italy. It takes its name

from the adjacent Palazzo Venezia, the former embassy in the city

of the Republic of Venice.The piazza is at the foot of the Capitoline Hill and near the Roman Forum. It is dominated by the imposing Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II. In 2009, during excavations for the Rome C Metro Line, ancient remains of what has been identified as emperor Hadrian's Athenaeum were unearthed in the middle of the square.This little walk begins at the Colosseo, continues to Piazza Venezia with its huge Monumento a Vittorio Emanuele II .

8)Trevi Fountain:

The Trevi Fountain (Italian: Fontana di Trevi) is a fountain in the Trevi rione in Rome, Italy. Standing 25.9 meters (85 feet) high and 19.8 meters (65 feet) wide, it is the largest Baroque fountain in the city.The fountain at the junction of three roads (tre vie)marks the terminal point.The Trevi fountain is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. It brings water all the way from the Salone Springs and supplies the

fountains in the historic center of Rome with water.Construction of the Fountain: In 1732, Pope Clement XII commissioned Nicola Salvi to create a large fountain at the Trevi Square. A previous undertaking to build the fountain after a design by Bernini was halted a century earlier after the death of Pope Urban VIII. Salvi based his theatricalThe restive sea horsemasterpiece on this design. Construction of the monumental baroque fountain was finally completed in 1762.The Fountain: The central figure of the fountain, in front of a large niche, is Neptune, god of the sea. He is riding a chariot in the shape of a shell, pulled by two sea horses. Each sea horse is guided by a Triton. One of the horses is calm and obedient, the other one restive. They symbolize the fluctuating moods of the sea.On the left hand side of Neptune is a statue representing Abundance, the statue The crowded squareon the right represents Salubrity. Above the sculptures are bas-reliefs, one of them shows Agrippa, the general who built the aqueduct that carries water to the fountain.Tossing a Coin: The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water. You should toss it over your shoulder with your back to the fountain.

9)Victor Emmanuel II:

The one landmark dominating Piazza Venezia is Il Vittoriano, a monument dedicated to king Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of Italy. The construction of the immense white marble monument - built on the side of the Capitoline Hill ,completely changed the appearance of the square, which at the same time was drastically enlarged. Many historic buildings, including a convent located on the hill were demolished. One building - the Palazzetto Venezia -

was even moved so it wouldn't obstruct the view of the monument from the Via del Corso. The Palazetto is now left of the Palazzo Venezia seen from the Vittoriano.The Vittoriano monument has been rightly criticized for clashing with the existing architecture. But it is still worth a visit, if only for the magnificent views you have from the top.This is the monument seen from the Piazza. Its a symbol for the Italian unification. Being the geographical center of Rome, the Piazza Venezia is one of the busiest places of the city. The monument (also known as Vittoriano) is not really a beauty, but you are fascinated once you see it. it dominates the Piazza Venezia and still causes a lot of discussions among the people of Rome, the tourists and the archeological researchers who know that it has been built upon unbelievable (archeological) treasures. From the monument you have a fantastic view across the Foro di Traiano (Trajans Forum). It has been built at the beginning of the 2nd century AD, but all that can be seen today are just a few pillars of the basilica Ulpia and the Colonna di Traiano (Trajan's Column).

10)Spanish steps:

The piazza di Spagna is one of the most popular meetingplaces in Rome. It is also one of the most visually pleasing squares. The combination of a monumental staircase - the famous Spanish Steps, an obelisk and a beautiful church draws photographers to the square.The Piazza di Spagna or Spanish Square is connected to a French church(Trinità dei Monti) on top of the hill via a long staircase, known as the Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti or Spanish Steps. The idea of connecting the church with the square below originates from the

17th century, when the French also planned a statue of King Louis

XIV of France at the top of the staircase.Papal opposition caused the plans to be shelved until 1723, when the monumental staircase was built without the statue. Pope Innocent XIII appointed the Italian architect Francisco de Sanctis. He presented a design that satisfied both the French and the papacy.The elegant staircase consists of 137 steps over twelve different flights. View from Spanish StepsIt has an irregular albeit symmetric structure. It is especially beautiful in May, when it is decorated with azaleas. The steps are usually very crowded; it attracts tourists as well as locals who use it as a gathering place.

11)St. Peter's Basilica:

This great building is the center of christianity. The opulence of the building's interior bears testimony to the wealth of the catholic church in the 16th century.In the middle of the 15th century, the basilica was falling into ruin and pope Nicolas V ordered the restoration and enlargement of the church after plans by BernardoRossellino. After Nicolas V died, works were halted. In 1506 pope Julius II laid the first stone of a new basilica which

was to become the largest in the world.The building itself is truly impressive. The largest church in the world, it has a 218 meter long nave. The basilica's dome is the world's largest measuring 42m in diameter and reaching 138 meter high (more than 450ft). The interior, which includes 45 altars, is decorated by St. Peter's Basilicamany famous artists. Some of the most important works in the church are the Pietà by Michelangelo, the papal altar by Bernini, the Throne of St. Peter - also by Bernini - and the Monument to the Stuarts by Canova.The opulent interior can be visited daily for free although a strict dress code is enforced.You can also visit the dome itself (entrance is not free, but it's worth it). You have the option of taking the elevator or the stairs, the latter being a bit cheaper. The Piazza seen from the church's domeThe elevator brings you to the bottom of the dome from where a small, long and mostly spiral staircase brings you to the top of the dome. From there you have a magnificent view of Rome and of the Saint Peter's square in particular. The famous square with long symmetrical colonnades was designed by Bernini. It features a central obelisk and two identical fountains.St. Peter's is located in Vatican City, across the river Tiber, west of Rome's center. Vatican City is completely surrounded by the city of Rome.

12)Gallaria Borghese :

The Galleria Borghese is one of the most incredible museums in town. Featuring the “best ” works of Bernini and paintings from other masters, the Galleria is a “Must See” for art buffs.The Borghese Gallery (Italian: Galleria Borghese) is an art gallery in Rome, Italy, housed in the former Villa Borghese Pinciana, a building that was from the first integral with its gardens, nowadays considered quite separately by tourists as the

Villa Borghese gardens. The Galleria Borghese houses a substantial part of the Borghese collection of paintings, sculpture and antiquities, begun by Cardinal Scipione Borghese, the nephew of Pope Paul V (reign 1605–1621). The Villa was built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio, developing sketches by Scipione Borghese himself, who used it as a villa suburbana, a party villa at the edge of Rome.This collection is housed in a building constructed in 1613 for Cardinal Scipione Borghese, one of Bernini's greatest patrons. In fact, this great sculptor has exhibited some of his most famous sculptures here; amongst them is the renowned Apollo and Daphne. When one thinks of the Museo Borghese, the sculpture that immediately springs to mind is Canova's Pauline Borghese, in which she poses as Venus, wearing just a drape around her midriff. There are six major pieces by Caravaggio in the Galleria, including The Boy with a Basket of Fruit and the Madonna della Serpe. Titian is also represented with Sacred and Profane Love, Raphael with The Deposition, and there are important works by Correggio. The gallery can only hold 300 visitors at a time, so it is advisable to book in advance.

13)Villa Borghese Gardens :

Villa Borghese is a large[1] landscape garden in the naturalistic English manner in Rome, containing a number of buildings, museums (see Galleria Borghese) and attractions. It is the second largest public park in Rome (80 hectares or 148 acres) after that of the Villa Doria Pamphili. The gardens were developed for the Villa Borghese Pinciana ("Borghese villa on the Pincian Hill"), built by the architect Flaminio Ponzio, developing sketches by Scipione

Borghese, who used it as a villa suburbana, a party villa, at the edge of Rome, and to house his art collection. The gardens as they are now were remade in the early nineteenth century.The Villa Borghese gardens were long informally open, but were bought by the commune of Rome and given to the public in 1903. The large landscape park in the English taste contains several villas.

14) Piazza Bocca della Verità :

The Piazza Bocca Della Verità (Mouth of Truth) is just across the Tiber River from the Trastevere neighborhood via the Ponte Palatino, just a short walk southwest from Campo dé Fiori, south of the Foro Romano (Roman Forum) and the Colosseo (Coliseum). Here we found two echoes of ancient Roma: the Chiesa di (Church of) S.Maria in Cosmedin and the Circo Massimo.La Bocca della Verità (Mouth of Truth), from about 100 B.C., is a giant marble

disc sculpted into a human face. It was originally a sewer cover in the adjoining ancient temple dedicated to Hercules. Traditional lore holds that if you lie while your hand is in the sculpture's mouth it will be bitten off. Legend has it that a priest used to hide behind the marble face and whack the wrists of known liars, making them yelp with pain. We've also heard that he used a scorpion.

15) Romulus and Remus :

According to the legend, Romulus and Remus justified their right to rule because their mother was a princess and their father was the war god Mars. Rhea was married to Mars, the Roman god of war. Rhea had twin sons. She loved her boys, but there were plots afoot by other gods and goddesses to harm her father, herself, her husband, and her children. To protect the boys, she set them adrift on the river, hoping someone would find them.

Who would not love such beautiful boys?Sure enough, first they were found by a she-wolf who fed them. Then a shepherd and his wife adopted the boys. As the twins grew older, they decided they did not want to take care of sheep. They wanted to be kings. They decided to build a city on the shores of the Tiber. They both wanted to be the only king. They quarreled. In a fit of rage, Romulus picked up a rock, killed his brother, and made himself king. That’s how Rome started.

16) The Capitoline Hill:

In ancient times, the Capitoline Hill was the nerve center of the Roman Empire. The great Temple to Jupiter and the Capitoline Triad was constructed under Rome's last king, Lucius Tarquinius Superbus, and was considered one of the largest and the most beautiful temples in the city. When the Celtic Gauls raided Rome in 390 BC, the Capitoline Hill was the one section

of the city to evade capture by the barbarians.The Capitoline

echoes with famous events in Roman history. It was here that Brutus and the assassins locked themselves inside the Temple of Jupiter after murdering Caesar; here that the Gracchi plotted and died; here the triumphant generals overlooked the city for which they fought; here that the Gauls, creeping to the Citadel, were let in by the infamous Vestal Virgin Tarpeia.Political criminals were murdered by being thrown off the steep crest of the Capitoline Hill to the dagger-sharp Tarpeian Rocks below. When Julius Caesar suffered an accident during his Triumph, he approached the hill and Jupiter's temple on his knees as a way of averting the unlucky omen. Apparently not successful, he was murdered six months later.

17) Arch of Titus:

The Arch of Titus is one of two remaining arches on the Forum Romanum. It was built to commemorate the capture of Jerusalem over the Jewish Zealots. Arch of TitusIn AD 66 Jewish Zealots started a revolt against the Roman occupation of Judea. Vespasian was sent from Rome to crush the revolt. After Vespasian became emperor, his son Titus took over.Titus captured Jerusalem

in AD 70 with four legions and the revolt was completely crushed

after the fall of the Masada fortress in AD 72.The 15m high arch is located at the Forum Romanum, at the highest point of the Via Sacra. It is the oldest surviving example of a Roman arch.At the inside of the arch are two panels with reliefs. One depicts the triumphal procession with the spoils taken from the Second Temple in Jerusalem - the seven-branched candelabrum or Menorah, the silver trumpets and the Table of the Shewbread. The other one shows Titus in a chariot accompanied by the Goddess Victoria and the Goddess Roma.The inscriptions in the frieze which mean 'The Roman Senate and People to Deified Titus, Vespasian Augustus, son of Deified Vespasian' were originally in bronze. The reliefs were also colored and the arch was topped by a bronze quadriga.In the 11th century the arch was integrated into a fortress built by the Frangipani family. In 1821 the arch was restored by Giuseppe Valadier. The outer sides were rebuilt between 1822 and 1823 in travertine instead of marble, so they would be distinguishable from the original.